Musical Notes

Hello OCBC family,
“12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand,
Measured heaven with a span
And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure?
Weighed the mountains in scales
And the hills in a balance?
13 Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord,
Or as His counselor has taught Him?
14 With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him,
And taught Him in the path of justice?
Who taught Him knowledge,
And showed Him the way of understanding?” (Isaiah 40:12-14).

This is powerful passage from Isaiah, showing us that the Creator of the whole world, the one that can put the whole ocean in His hand and measure heaven with a span, is the same God that cares for us personally, knowing everything about us. Now, He is our Creator, like the rest of creation, including unbelievers, but for us, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, He is our Father. We can rest in this assurance and praise His holy name, and tell others, “Behold Our God.”

Yes, “Behold Our God” the hymn that we love to sing here at Oak Crest, is a contemporary hymn based on this same passage of Isaiah. Is a product of Ryan Baird, Jonathan Baird, Meghan Baird and Stephen Altrogge, three siblings and a friend. They composed this hymn during a retreat, and at the beginning some people didn’t like it. God proved that they were all wrong. They tested this hymn in their own church, just with the first two stanzas and the refrain, and their congregation loved it. The only correction they received came from the Baird siblings’ own father. "You need to write a verse about Jesus and his sacrifice." And so, the third verse was born.

This hymn is so rich in doctrine. For example, this hymn teaches us about God’s sovereignty – God rules over nations, kings, and the whole creation. Also, this hymn points to God’s incomparability – there is none like him. Christ-centered worship – the third stanza moves from God’s creation to Christ’ atoning work.

1 Who has held the oceans in His hands?
Who has numbered every grain of sand?
Kings and nations tremble at His voice
All creation rises to rejoice

2 Who has given counsel to the Lord?
Who can question any of His words?
Who can teach the One Who knows all things?
Who can fathom all His wondrous deeds?

3 Who has felt the nails upon His hands
Bearing all the guilt of sinful man?
God eternal humbled to the grave
Jesus, Savior risen now to reign!

So, the next time you sing this powerful modern hymn, declare to the whole world,
“Behold our God seated on His throne
Come, let us adore Him
Behold our King! Nothing can compare
Come, let us adore Him!”

In His service,
Israel