Oath of Joy
When King Asa of Judah heard the prophecy of Azariah, he “took courage and removed the abominable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin” (2 Chronicles 15:8). Then he gathered the people to Jerusalem to re-enter into the covenant with Yahweh, promising to hold to the terms of the Shema by seeking “the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and soul” (v. 12).
That covenant renewal takes the form of joyful singing, shouting, and music-making: “they made an oath to Yahweh with a loud voice, with shouting, with trumpets, and with horns” (v. 14). They “rejoiced concerning the oath” (v. 15).
Liturgical song is emotionally expressive of course. It is also a self-committing use of language. In praise, we seek the Lord and also swear an oath to keep seeking Him “with all our heart and soul.”
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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