Altar
The first altar mentioned in the Word was the one built by Noah after he came out of the ark, after being saved from the great flood. On that altar, he sacrificed clean animals to the Lord.
Mountains represent the Lord because of their height; we need to raise our thoughts above worldly things when "talking" with the Lord. An altar is a small artificial mountain. When it's used in worship, it can call to mind this raising of thought. The fire and smoke that rise from an altar are symbolically being sent to the Lord.
Most altars were made from unhewn stones. Stones represent truths. Unhewn stones - ones that have not been shaped by men - represent truths from the Word, truths that have not been adulterated.
The clean beasts to be sacrificed represent good things, charitable acts done because they are right. The clean birds represent thoughts about doctrine and actions, and about what is right. Presenting these things is an acknowledgment that we have them from the Lord, and a giving thanks to Him for them.
In the Israelitish Tabernacle, the altar of burnt offering represented the acknowledgment of good and the altar of incense that of truth. For this reason this larger altar, which was outside by the door, was made of brass which signifies natural good, while the altar of incense was made of gold, which signifies love to the Lord from whom comes truth.
Psalms 72
1
Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.
2
He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
3
The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
4
He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
5
They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.
6
He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.
7
In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.
8
He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
9
They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.
10
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
11
Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
12
For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
13
He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
14
He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.
15
And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.
16
There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
17
His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.
18
Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.
19
And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
