The Worship Review

Colin and Tyler look at a CCM classic that wonders at what the experience of Heaven will be like. We talk about individual vs. collective expression of worship, thinking and feeling in worship, and reference some Biblical texts that shape our understanding of Heaven.

Lyrics:

Song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_lrrq_opng

Colin and Tyler are presented with a challenge this week in comprehending the lyrics to Thank God I Do by Lauren Daigle. Undoubtedly popular, the song peaked at number 1 on the Billboard US Christian Songs chart. Thank God I Do says "you're my safe place, my hideaway, my anchor, my saving grace," but who is the "you" of the song? Tune in to hear the discussion.

Lyrics

I don't know who I'd be if I didn't know You
I'd probably fall off thе edge
I don't know where I'd go if You ever let go
So keep me held in Your hands
I don't know who I'd be if I didn't know You
I'd probably fall of the edge
I don't know where I'd go if You ever let go
So keep me held in Your hands
You're my safe place
My hideaway
You're my anchor
My saving grace
You're my constant
My steadiness
You're my shelter
My oxygen
I don't know who I'd be if I didn't know You
Thank God, I do
I don't know who I'd be if I didn't know You
I'd probably fall off the edge
I don't know where I'd go if You ever let go
So keep me held in Your hands

I don't know who I'd be if I didn't know You
Thank God, I do

Should a worship song really call people "vile" or "ruined"? Tyler and Colin parse through an old song that continues to be sung in many churches: "Man of Sorrows" (aka: "Hallelujah! What A Savior!").

Worship leader and songwriter Nathan Partain set Psalm 27 to music. We discuss both the style and substance of this thoughtful rendition.

Here's a modern hymn, written by Matt Papa and Matt Boswell, dealing with God's abundant mercy for sinners. Even though our sins are indeed "many," God's grace is greater. In this episode, we talk about the riches of God's love, the fact that God chooses not to remember the sins of His people, and the refreshing, constant mercy that awaits Christians every day. We also learn that Colin has a strong internal clock.

Song background:

https://www.mattpapa.com/songs/his-mercy-is-more

Versions sampled:

Matt Papa & Matt Boswell: His Mercy is More https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBZk0bVjCAA

Shane & Shane: His Mercy is More https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBZk0bVjCAA

Keith & Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell, Matt Papa: His Mercy is More https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-31oJTdh1w

Lyrics:

What love could remember no wrongs we have done

Omniscient, all knowing, He counts not their sum

Thrown into a sea without bottom or shore

Our sins they are many, His mercy is more

What patience would wait as we constantly roam

What Father, so tender, is calling us home

He welcomes the weakest, the vilest, the poor

Our sins they are many, His mercy is more

Praise the Lord, His mercy is more

Stronger than darkness, new every morn

Our sins they are many, His mercy is more

What riches of kindness He lavished on us

His blood was the payment, His life was the cost

We stood 'neath a debt we could never afford

Our sins they are many, His mercy is more

Praise the Lord, His mercy is more

Stronger than darkness, new every morn

Our sins they are many, His mercy is more

Praise the Lord, His mercy is more

Stronger than darkness, new every morn

Our sins they are many, His mercy is more

Our sins they are many, His mercy is more

This setting of Psalm 18 deals with deliverance from trouble, and more importantly, deliverance from death and sin in Jesus Christ's triumphant resurrection. Colin and Tyler discuss love for The Lord and seeking refuge in Him, what Psalm 18 says about His wrath, the fear of God (Proverbs 1:7), what it is like reading the Bible as one ages, the benefits of singing old hymns, and a children's movie.

Unfortunately, no recorded choral setting with the hymn lyrics is widely accessible. Colin reads the text over a piano setting and the original Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3.

Text:

O Lord, I Love You, My shield, My tow'r,

my stronghold, my rock, my saving pow'r,

I worship you! Bless your holy name!

What unceasing praise your mercies claim!

Cords of death had bound my heart with fear;

tidal waves of Satan crested near,

"God, my God," I cried, "hear from your throne;

save me from these depths, make mercy known!"

Saving might brought answer, Lord Most High.

Dark your path; your storm clouds swept the sky;

lightning flashed, deep thunder spoke your word.

Waters parted; death your summons heard.

You came down, almighty Lord, my stay,

drew me up and drove my foes away.

Your right hand put Satan's host to flight,

then clasped me, embraced in your delight.

Now among all nations I would sing,

praising our anointed Lord, our King.

Hear His cry of triumph from the grave,

see him leap the wall of death to save.

His the righteousness that claims reward,

his the saving coming of the Lord.

Hail him, Victor in that deadly strife:

Jesus is our rock, our Prince of life.

Audio sampled in this episode:

"620. O Lord, I Love You, My Shield, My Tower (Saint-Saens Tune), Trinity Hymnal" by Piano Series https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aNAGwIhkdI

This episode not only discusses the classic hymn, "Holy, Holy, Holy", but investigates what makes a song trinitarian. And what does it mean when this song says "though the darkness hide thee"?

Tyler and Colin continue to evaluate "excellent" songs with Shane & Shane's "All Sufficient Merit".

Martin Luther set Psalm 130 to verse; Chris Miner put music to it, and Andrew Osenga and Emily Deloach of Indelible Grace Music blend their voices to produce this version. Colin and Tyler discuss these five verses and the theology undergirding them. We address the gravity of man's sin, the exceeding magnitude of God's mercy, and the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who saves his people from their sins.

Lyrics:

Music by Christopher Miner 
Words by Martin Luther 
©1997 Christopher Miner Music

1. From the depths of woe I raise to Thee, a voice of lamentation. 
Lord, turn a gracious ear to me, And hear my supplication. 
If Thou iniquities dost mark, Our secret sins and misdeeds dark, 
O who shall stand before Thee? 
2. To wash away the crimson stain, Grace, grace alone availeth. 
Our works, alas! are all in vain; In much the best life faileth. 
No man can glory in Thy sight, All must alike confess Thy might, 
And live alone by mercy. 
3. Therefore my trust is in the Lord, And not in mine own merit. 
On Him my soul shall rest, His word upholds my fainting spirit. 
His promised mercy is my fort, My comfort, and my sweet support. 
I wait for it with patience. 
4. What though I wait the live-long night, And ’til the dawn appeareth. 
My heart still trusteth in His might, It doubteth not nor feareth. 
Do thus, O ye of Israel’s seed, Ye of the Spirit born indeed, 
And wait ’til God appeareth. 
5. Though great our sins and sore our woes, 
His grace much more aboundeth. 
His helping love no limit knows, Our upmost need it soundeth. 
Our Shepherd good and true is He, Who will at last His Israel free, 
From all their sin and sorrow.credits

Indelible Grace version: https://youtu.be/1aVWBSmghAs

Chris Miner version: https://christopherminer901.bandcamp.com/track/psalm-130

Many listeners will never have heard of this week's song "Son of God" by Nathan Partain. In discussing this song, Colin and Tyler touch on Gungor's "Friend of God", whether artificial intelligence can become Christian, gendered language in the bible and whether it is applicable to all believers