Thursday, June 14, 2007

"Singing the Devil Away" (12)

Gerhardt's song then goes on to make plain that first-article gifts are not enough to counter depression. They are good. They are evidence of what God does out of love for us. But gifts of food and clothing and home cannot counter the devil's attacks. The only antidote to depression is the song of God's Word and the Holy Spirit's enlightenment.

Stanza 10 speaks in sensual terms (as Dr Kleinig mentioned earlier). We taste the doctrine that we long to hear and by which we are refreshed. And when the Holy Spirit opens our minds, then our senses absorb His lovingkindness.

Stanza 11 echoes so many Easter themes. And Epiphany themes. The light in the darkness. The prophets' and the apostles' message. The peaceful conscience which is a peace "not as the world gives." And that these words of the scriptures are the only thing that brings assurance.

Stanza 12 recalls the firm foundation referred to in the previous stanza, and how the devil's efforts cannot topple what God has built. The devil's plans will collapse, but all his railing against God's work will not be able to undo it.

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