LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. (Psalm 4:6 NKJV)
Today we continue sharing lyrics from one of our songs called "The Blessing", from our second EP titled “If My People...”
We have our musical arrangement of the Aaronic Blessing in Numbers 6:24-26. Today, we continue to break down the blessing phrase by phrase. To bring it to life, we will refer to the Hebrew aspects of the blessing.
In the phrase, “The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,” the word “countenance” is translated from the Hebrew word "paniym." It’s the same word as “face” in the previous verse. “Lift up” comes from the Hebrew word "nasa." It has three main meanings: to lift up anything, to bear or carry (especially guilt for sin), and to take away (often of removing sin).
This phrase, “lift up His countenance upon you” involves God taking us into His presence to see His face. Though we can’t see God in His glory now as human beings, He’s offering the great blessing of coming into His presence. This carries even more meaning under the New Covenant with Jesus’ actions in taking away our sins (which is one meaning of "nasa") have removed the separation between God and His people.
This phrase is a picture of a father smiling and taking pleasure in his child. When the Lord lifts His countenance upon us, it shows that He is looking on us for our good. God wants to bless us. He wants to protect us. He wants to make His face shine upon us and be gracious to us and give us peace. Here in the blessing, the most obvious meaning for this phrase is that God accepts us.
Know today that God is smiling upon you for the simple and yet profound fact that you are His beloved child.
Prayer: Lord, we thank You that we can come into Your presence with boldness. It is our hearts' desire to bring a smile to Your face. We love You. Amen.
“God is like the sun at high noon, always giving all he has.” - A. J. Gossip