Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. The morning incense is burned when Aaron tends the lamps — the prayer offering and the light maintenance are performed simultaneously. The morning routine of the high priest begins with prayer (incense) and light (lamp tending): the day's service opens with ascending prayer and sustained light. Psalm 5:3 says in the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. The morning prayer that the psalm describes is the morning incense that Aaron burns at the golden altar — the individual prayer practice reflects the communal liturgical practice.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a note on this verse