Look To The Hill – Part 1

This is the first installment in a series that I will call, Look to The Hill.

This is a ‘tongue in cheek’ reference to Parliament Hill, but at the same time it points to Psalm 121 – The hill from where our help comes – as Christians. 

There is a song I like that quotes Psalm 46 – Though the nations rage, kingdoms rise and fall, There is still one king, reigning over all. So I will not fear for this truth remains, that my God is The Ancient of Days. 

This hymn called ‘Ancient of Days‘, is written and performed by the group City Alight, which produces modern hymns that helps you to sing the Scriptures. You can find it on YouTube.

Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing some insights with you about the Scriptures on Parliament Hill. These Scriptures were put there after WW 1 when world renowned architect, John A. Pearson, designed and built the Peace Tower of the Parliament Buildings. 

25 Scriptures can be found within the Peace Tower and Centre Block of Parliament Hill.  They can be found in the concrete over the stained glass windows, in the stained glass windows themselves, and in various places in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower.

John A. Pearson turned to the Bible to leave a legacy for future generations who might endure the ravages of war. Today, these Scriptures can give us encouragement and help us find hope during this time of war against the Corona Virus, and in the days ahead. 

So let us ‘Look To The Hill’, both spiritually and physically, to find help in these days of trouble. We will start by looking at the Scriptures on the outside of the Peace Tower. 

There are three verses on the exterior of the Peace Tower. They are found over  the South Window, the East Window and the West Window. 

The Scripture on the South Window is the first one which most people will see when they approach the Peace Tower. Carved above the stained glass window is the verse, Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son (Psalm 72:1).

The Scripture on the East Window is the most well-known of the three verses written on the exterior, because it is also Canada’s motto:  He shall have dominion also from sea to sea (Psalm 72:8).

The verses found on the South and East windows are from a Messianic Psalm – Psalm 72, which points to Jesus Christ. Be sure to read Psalm 72. These Scriptures affirm the rule of the Christian God over nations and over the people of Canada. The King’s Son mentioned in the South Window is Jesus Christ.

Psalm 72 stresses the exclusivity of God’s claim to rule over nations, and the certain defeat of His enemies. It, like many of the themes in the stained glass windows, points to the importance of justice and peace, and of God coming to the aid of the needy and afflicted. It emphasizes that only the rule of Christ can accomplish this. 

The relevance of these passages to civil government is that, in view of Christ’s kingly rule, all people are called to submit to Him, to obey His law, and to govern their lives accordingly. This is a personal call. It is also a public call, so it applies to civil rulers as they govern nations. That is why it appeals for His rule to extend from sea to sea, to the ends of the earth.

The third Bible verse on the exterior of the Peace Tower is found on the West side and says: Where there is no vision, the people perish (Proverbs 29:18). 

This verse reflects what would happen from sea to sea when the Canadian values expressed in the stained glass windows on the inside are neglected. 

The three Scriptures highlighted today are:

Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son (Psalm 72:1).

He shall have dominion also from sea to sea (Psalm 72:8).

Where there is no vision, the people perish (Proverbs 29:18).

The next installment in this series of ‘Look to The Hill’,  will take a look at some of the Scriptures written in the stained glass windows, beginning with the East Windows. 

The information I just shared with you can be found this little booklet called, ‘The Biblical Legacy of Canada’s Parliament Buildings’. This booklet can be purchased here.

Our new book, The Legacy of 25 Scripture Verses on Parliament Hill, gives more details about the 25 Scriptures on Parliament Hill. It should be at the printers soon. This will be a companion guide to the Biblical Legacy Booklet.

This new book, The Legacy of 25 Scripture Verses on Parliament Hill), is loaded with 60+ pictures that clearly show the Scriptures engraved in the stained glass windows of the Peace Tower and other areas of the Memorial Chamber. Many of these Scriptures have never been seen before.

To help reinforce the Scripture verses in your children’s minds, we are developing a colouring book, with more detailed explanation of the Scriptures in their context.