My Reflections on "The Altar"

The Altar is a picture or shaped poem.  It reflects the shape of the poems meaning.  Herbert is coming before the Lord with brokenness in his heart, but he is bringing it before the Lord. The word "rear" here means to raise it up. Not only is he broken but the pain has brought about his tears. When a person's heart is broken tears seem to become like a flowing river that don't stop. Herbert is acknowledging that God is the creator and only God can touch this heart like none other. It is not the physical heart that breaks but the spiritual heart of man. Circumstances can make one's heart become cold, bitter, or hard as stone. The only power that can get through to a heart that is hard is God himself. When a person has a broken spirit it is very humbling to come before God and to praise him no matter the circumstances. The bible teaches that if we hold our peace surely the rocks will cry out. In the end of this poem Herbert brought his sacrifice of brokeness to the Altar and leaves with a new found hope and confidence that God can change our heart of stone with a fresh new heart and that is why we praise him, and praise should be the foundation of our altar which is why he ended this poem about sacrifice and praise.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:17) 

"Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" Jesus replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out" (Luke 17:37-40). 

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. (Ezekiel 36: 26,27)


image of altar taken from:
http://icrucified.com/icruciblog/2011/this-one-thing-that-you-lack/
image of nail cross taken from:
http://1stopclickandshop.com/2011/02/the-cross-of-jesus-collection-wall-crosses/
I have merged both pictures into one so that the altar reflects the cross as they both reflect sacrifice.
Oh wow!  While I was polishing up my post I noticed that my own text here is also in shape form.  Totally Awesome!!