The Psalom Worship Project – a four-album series – focuses on the states of the soul when approaching the throne of God, Christ serving as our ultimate example of who one seeks the face of the LORD.
Atetramorph is a symbolic arrangement of four differing elements, or the combination of four disparate elements in one unit. The term is derived from the Greek tetra, meaning four, and morph, shape.
In Christian art the tetramorph is the union of the symbols of the Four Evangelists, the four living Creatures derived from the Book of Ezekiel, into a single figure or, more commonly, a group of four figures. Each of the four Evangelists has a creature, usually shown with wings: Matthew the man, Mark the lion, Luke the ox, and John the eagle.
Matthew the Evangelist is represented as the winged man, or an angel. He is represented in human form because his gospel centres on the human nature and life of Christ. St Jerome writes, ”The first face of a man signifies Matthew, who began his narrative as though about a man: ‘The book of the generation of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham’”.
Mark the Evangelist is represented as a lion. He is represented in the form of a lion because he proclaims the royal dignity of Christ, the lion being the king of beasts. ”The second [face signifies] Mark in whom the voice of a lion roaring in the wilderness is heard: 'A voice of one shouting in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'”
Luke the Evangelist is represented as an ox, or a calf. He is represented in the form of an ox as his gospel dwells on the atonement and the sacrifice of Christ, the ox being an ancient symbol of sacrifice. ”The third [is the face] of the calf which prefigures that the evangelist Luke began with Zachariah the priest.”
John the Evangelist is represented as an eagle. He is represented as an eagle as his gospel describes the incarnation of the divine Logos, the eagle itself a symbol of that which is from above. ”The fourth [face signifies] John the evangelist who, having taken up eagle’s wings and hastening toward higher matters, discusses the Word of God.”
Proclamation for His Ways - Christ is Man
Jesus is an example for us of worship through the proclamation of the Lord's mighty works to our fellow man: I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you.
- Psalm 22:22
Prayer for His Will - Christ is King
In worship we nuber ourselves and by Jesus name bring our supplication before the One who mighty to save.
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so tat the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask for anything in my name, and I will do it.
- John 14:13-14
Penitence for our Waywardness -Christ is Priest
Our response to the realization of Christ's sacrifice and God's grace is a life of worship through repentance: Since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.
- Hebrews 10:21-22
Praise for His Wonders - Christ is God
The majesty of God the Father and Jesus Christ the perfect Lamb lead us to worship through endless praise:
To him who sits on the throne and the Lamb be praise and honor and power, for ever and ever...Amen
Music
