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 66
1
Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!
2
Sing to the glory of his name! Offer glory and praise!
3
Tell God, "How awesome are your deeds! Through the greatness of your power, your enemies submit themselves to you.
4
All the earth will worship you, and will sing to you; they will sing to your name." Selah.
5
Come, and see God's deeds-- awesome work on behalf of the children of men.
6
He turned the sea into dry land. They went through the river on foot. There, we rejoiced in him.
7
He rules by his might forever. His eyes watch the nations. Don't let the rebellious rise up against him. Selah.
8
Praise our God, you peoples! Make the sound of his Praise heard,
9
who preserves our life among the living, and doesn't allow our feet to be moved.
10
For you, God, have tested us. You have refined us, as silver is refined.
11
You brought us into prison. You laid a burden on our backs.
12
You allowed men to ride over our heads. We went through fire and through water, but you brought us to the place of abundance.
13
I will come into your temple with burnt offerings. I will pay my vows to you,
14
which my lips promised, and my mouth spoke, when I was in distress.
15
I will offer to you burnt offerings of fat animals, with the offering of rams, I will offer bulls with goats. Selah.
16
Come, and hear, all you who fear God. I will declare what he has done for my soul.
17
I cried to him with my mouth. He was extolled with my tongue.
18
If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord wouldn't have listened.
19
But most certainly, God has listened. He has heard the voice of my prayer.
20
Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor his loving kindness from me. For the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm. A song.
