There is a common criticism today that much of today’s contemporary praise & worship music is shallow. And to a large extent, I would grant that the criticism is valid. But only if it likewise indicts many of the hymns written in around the turn of the last century (1900).
When we look at the Psalms, however, we see a mix of very deep theologically rich psalms, and simple heartfelt songs. Today’s music (much like the popular “gospel” hymns from around 1850 through 1930) often emphasizes the emotional response of the believer to the truths of God. As long as the song expresses Bible truth and responds in a Biblical way, I would say the song is a Biblical song! And as such we can and should use it.
Now we may prefer the richer, deeper songs, and we probably should major on those songs for their teaching value. But we must not hesitate to use the songs which help draw forth our spirits in heartfelt praise.
One such song is “Worthy is the Lamb” by Darlene Zschech. This song is by no means shallow doctrinally. However, you will notice there is no 2nd and 3rd verse. My recent post on the modern hymn movement was not meant to convey the idea that only hymns are useful for praise. This song, repeated twice (and the last half repeated more than that), is written in such a way as to focus our hearts and souls on a few key thoughts: the cross, the wonder of our personal redemption, & the exalted glory of our Savior. And the music builds throughout the song making it the perfect vehicle for expressing our emotion of joy and love and wonder to God in a holy way.
I have been meaning to post on this song for quite some time, as every time I sing it, it soooo moves me! I trust you will be moved by the message of this song, too.
Worthy Is the Lamb
Words & Music by Darlene Zschech
Thank you for the cross, Lord.
Thank you for the price you paid.
Bearing all my sin and shame, in love you came
And gave Amazing Grace.
Thank you for this love, Lord.
Thank you for the nail-pierced hands.
Wash me in Your cleansing flow, now all I know…
Your forgiveness and embrace.
Worthy is the Lamb
seated on the throne.
We crown You now with many crowns
You reign victorious!
High and lifted up
Jesus, Son of God.
The darling of Heaven, crucified…
Worthy is the Lamb.
© 2000 Darlene Zschech & Hillsong Publishing. CCLI #1596342
One little note, our church substitutes “High King of Heaven” for “The darling of Heaven” at the end of the song. I am not sure if it is just us, or it this is a more common substitution. It does add to the song, I think to change it, yet it stresses a different side of Christ. Yes, He was the Ultimate Sovereign who humbled Himself, but He also is the Beloved Son of God, too.
For an idea as to the melody, click here (mp3). Also, I found the entire song on YouTube.Com. The video part shows some young ladies doing a choreographic dance to the music, but if you click on the link, you will at least here the song in total, even if you prefer not to watch the dancers (nothing immodest, here, too by the way). If you click here, you will see a guitar chord chart of the music; and this link, will take you to a preview of the sheet music, which you can purchase should you so desire.
To learn more about Darlene Zschech, check out her personal website. This link, also gives a bio and a collection of links (and interviews) concerning Darlene, best known for her song “Shout to the Lord”.
Oh, you have done it now. You’ve gone and spoke highly of Darlene Zschech’s music.
I don’t know too many of her songs, but have found them to be decent. I even like “Shout to the Lord.”
I mean, she actually praises God for specific things and borrows heavily from the language of the Psalms.
One could do much worse.
Thanks for stopping by Ryan. I really appreciate “Shout to the Lord” also.
I would agree that songs should be judged almost solely on their own merit apart from any “guilt by association”. I’m not sure what “guilt” some would lay at Zschech, but she is probably too charismatic for many. Yet these songs are as you said, Biblically based songs praising God for specific things. I say let’s use them to the glory of God.
God bless you in Christ,
Bob Hayton
I knew you were charismatic Bob…(;
Sorry Bob, one more thing… Don’t worry about liking Hillsong’s music. I like Stryper.
(But not in Worship- just in case you were thinking… well you know).
Good post- I find it half-way amusing that someone from Hillsong- a noted Arminian (Somewhat Seeker) Church has done so well making music that is not just horizontal. It’s good that you call a spade a spade. Good God honoring music is needed today, and sadly, not many reformed folk are doing much in this arena, other than adding new tunes to old Hymns.
Um… there are Reformed people writing new music.
um…have I ever heard of it?
Gage,
Sovereign Grace Music is writing new music and they are Reformed (although also Charismatic). From my Modern Hymn Movement post, I mention Getty and Townend, they are writing new music—I think Getty at least is Reformed-leaning.
Some of the CCM stuff that is used in modern worship no doubt comes from Reformed-leaning folks. I think Third Day and Caedmon’s Call, to name a few, are definitely Calvinistic (however they could also be charismatic, I’m not sure).
Maybe Ryan, you have a few names for us here.
By the way, Gage, Ryan specializes in super short replies to blog posts. And he likes to be clever. I don’t think he means to offend or anything. He seems like a nice guy–he even lists me as a “friend” on his blog (with a disclaimer of course!). He actually was involved in popularizing the term IFBx. Which he is not anymore.
Hey Bob,
I’m not easily offended, no worries. Easy on the Caedmon’s Call reference. The lead singer is Ed Young Jr’s Brother- not reformed… at all!
I think you have also made my point…
“There may be some reformed or calvinistic, and maybe charismatics- doing music” seemed to be the jist of what you were saying. The only guy in the “truly” reformed camp may be Leonard Payton, he’s at Westminster CA. Thanks Bob.
I hate to be a stick in the mud, but I am not too impressed with Darlene Zschech’s music. I agree that a song should stand on it’s own merit and that there shouldn’t be a guilt by association because a certain singer sings it. You’re right about that. I hold a little bit higher standard for the Christian music that I listen to, but please don’t think that I cast judgement on someone because they listen to music that i don’t prefer. Casting Crowns and Third Day just have a depressing sound to me. The Third Day lead singer tries too hard to have a scratchy Brian Adams voice. That is so uncool today. A smooth voice like Jack Johnson and whoever the guy is who sings “Your Body is a Wonderland” is “in”. I guess that group of freaks, Nickleback, is an acception…Anyway, Christian music should be a joyful (noise) not just joyful lyrics. That’s why most of the music I listen to is Southern Gospel. I know there’s shallow junk with them as well, but I don’t like it either. Check out groups like Greater Vision, Legacy Five, Mark Tramell Trio, and the Hoppers. Like I said over on my blog, there’s just not too much CCM stuff that I can stomach.
Gage,
The Reformed make up, I’d guess, at most 20% of the evangelical Christians in America. So, yeah, it stands to reason that the Free Willies are going to put out more music.
Moreover, the Reformed are not much into the whole pop culture thing, and so the music they do write is less appealing to record labels.
Ryan D.
Gage,
You may be right about Caedmon’s Call. I have heard a song or two from them, however, that had very strong Calvinistic lyrics. Perhaps they used the songs without thinking too much about the lyrics. I think Ryan is right that we shouldn’t be surprised that Reformed music is not pervasive yet. Perhaps this will change in time as the “Young, Restless, Reformed” movement grows up.
William,
Hey, sticks in the mud are welcome here. To me, songs by Casting Crowns are joyful too. Many of them, though, have a pensive, thoughtful tone. They are telling a story and driving a message home, and they are true to the art form used. I think they represent some of the best in CCM today.
This song, Worthy is the Lamb, is joyful to me. But I agree that musical taste is often as varied as people are different. I like some Southern Gospel, and have heard some great songs, but many seem quite shallow and not joy producing to me.
Thanks for your thoughts, however.
God bless you all in Christ,
Bob
fundyreformed wrote:
Perhaps they used the songs without thinking too much about the lyrics.
Many of Caedmon’s Call’s songs are strongly Calvinistic because the group’s former singer/songwriter, Derek Webb, is a Calvinist. Songs like “Thankful” (“that I’m incapable / Of doing any good on my own”) are his work.
On top of that, I personally find that songs that are strongly God-centred and/or based on the biblical text always sound “Calvinistic” to me, regardless of who wrote them. Heck, even Phillips, Craig and Dean can sound that way at times, and the UPC crowd is about as far from Calvin as you can get.
Thanks for commenting, Scott. I lacked enough knowledge of the group to prove what I felt was true. I haven’t heard many of their songs, but some have stood out as “Calvinistic”.
And I get your point. When I hear a God-centered song, I think of it as “Calvinistic” since I am “Calvinistic”. Maybe the same goes for Arminians.
Ummm. I don’t quite what to make of this blog (I’m also 2 years behind you guys) I believe all these titles (charismatic, reformist, cavinistic, armenian, blah, blah, blah…is just a waste of time and contributing somehow to the rampant division in the LORD’s body) I express it this way because I love you guys and I AM your brother reformist or not…washed by HIS blood
Your charismatic/traditional/wesleyan/catholic brother
Eric
i really like your teaching and consistency on the book of psalms. god bless
Eric Hernandez,
I just read through all of the posts here and would like to respond to a year old post by Eric.
I must say that unity is indeed needed in the Church. Take for instance Wayne Grudem (A reformed non-cessationist) is a leader in trying to unite all presbetyrians, baptsists, reformed, and charismatics into one unified body.
The difference here though is that unity does not come despite theology, but rather it comes because of theology. If you were to say that Jesus was not God, then we couldn’t be united at all.
If you are a christian, but disagree about the use of the ordinances/sacraments then we would be united on all things except for these issues.
If you are a christian and disagree that God divinely orchestrates the salvation of all who are being saved and passes over, in a sovereign and just way, those who are condemned then we could not be unified on this issue.
Many Armenians even find the idea so appalling that they fight against the teaching of those who hold this view.. And those who hold this view see it as something so beautiful that every Christian should be offered the sweet taste of its goodness. That’s why there is such a strong division in this area.
The division in this area is much stronger than other areas. For example: I am a premil/post trib rapter guy. I would not agree with Jenkins and Lahay on their Premill/pre trib rapture teachings, but since there is less savoring on this truth than on the truth of God’s divine decree of salvation, then I would be less likely to allow a dispute to arise in this area of theology. (Even though it is important).
And if you believe 1 Corinthians 13:4 you know that Love rejoices in the truth.
YOu can’t have “true” love if you don’t first have “truth”
Darling, i love your ministry and i am trusting God to come to your church