David in Prayer before God: Psalter (Flanders, 1465 – 1475)
Behind David are imagined and impressive constructions of the new capital of the newly united people of God. David is in prayer to the Holy One, keenly aware that no ‘house’ has yet been built for the Lord who brought them into this new beginning, and David pledges to do so in gratitude and honour of the Lord. But as we continue following the story of David and hear the declaration ‘I will make you a house’ (2 Samuel 7:27), it is not David who speaks!
The scene is portrayed in typical 15th century European styles of architecture, costume and even divine imagery (with the Holy One wearing a bishop’s mitre!), but what we now see as ‘dated’ was at the time intentionally ‘contemporary’. I wonder what meaning and application this scene might hold for us today?
Have a look at the Order of Service below, and join us either in the sanctuary or by live-stream at https://youtu.be/Mvm_fgG8uP4. We welcome Aurora Dokkens to the organ bench this morning. Organ preludes will begin around 10:25 a.m. and the service will commence at 10:30 a.m. Previous services can be found on the St. Andrew’s Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/StAndrewsPresbyterianChurchKingston
During the service Andrew mentions the video recently released by the town of Gananoque of various community groups dancing to ‘Jerusalema’ (https://www.facebook.com/watch/?extid=SEO—-&v=231114188698167 based on a South African gospel song and an older hymn. You can find the English lyrics here … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rljLLejltdY and a commentary here … https://africa.thegospelcoalition.org/article/jerusalema/