Disturbing Doxology
In my quest to write songs that disturb and disrupt we found that this Puritan prayer was as disturbing as they come.
Save us from these comforts
Break us of our need for the familiar
Spare us any joy that’s not of you
And we will worship You
What songs are the hardest to sing for you because they challenge you in ways most don’t?
Los
RAIN IT DOWN
“With Everything” -Hillsong… geez..
Gets me cryin EVERY time!
“Break my heart for what breaks yours…” from “Hosanna.” We seem to be focused on the wrong crap so much, that we lose Father’s vision of the world. Very convicting to me.
Keep up the good work
Dude you want disturbing? Listen to this MP3, a live rendition of Pádraig Ó Tuama’s song from “Hymns To Swear By.” It’s a 21st-century Psalm of lament.
Yeah, I have that Pádraig Ó Tuama collection, too. Talk about challenging.
Another couple room-shakers that I’ve used in worship:
- “Song for the Divine Mother of the Universe” by Ben Lee.
- “Don’t Tell Your Eyes” by Joseph Arthur
Sometimes I think a dose of provocation binds a community together so much better than homogeneity.
Thanks for these, Justin! I totally agree – Joesph Arthur’s music is SO powerful. I have no idea why he’s not heralded as the greatest singer-songwriter of our times.
For that matter, music from mewithoutYou and Wovenhand (formerly 16 Horsepower) would be awesome in a congregational setting…
Kutless…I’m still yours.
The chorus is this…
If I lost it all
Would my hands stay lifted
To the God who gives and takes away
If You take it all
This life You’ve given
Still my heart will sing to You
When my life is not what I expected
The plans I made have failed
When there’s nothing left to steal me away
Will You be enough for me?
Will my broken heart still sing?
Its hard for me because I don’t feel I’m at the point where I won’t be angry at God for a little while. At least until my senses return.
Seeing as that a Doxology, (of which there are many – the greater “Gloria In Excelsis”, the lesser “Gloria Patri”, and the common “Doxology” that we grew up with) is truly a God focused, God lifting chorus of praise, I see that Puritan prayer consistent with many of the puritan prayers and songs which were way more lyrically fluent, graceful, and descriptive than many of the songs that have come since. I would look up the WIKI on “Doxology” and read about them, very illuminating, and is a calling to ALL modern songwriters to focus more on God, His grace, His glory, Who He is . . . and who we are not!
If you look at the lyrics of that Puritan Prayer:
Save us from these comforts
Break us of our need for the familiar
Spare us any joy that’s not of you
And we will worship You
It’s a prayer of Psalm 51. It’s a prayer for brokenness, and prayer of His sovereign nature. The last line “And we will worship You”, is not a statement of do this THEN we will do that. It’s more of . . . by nature we CANNOT worship until we are broken. How humbling that is. Again the Doxology is basically the creed of : He is, we are not!
Not trying to put in a plug, but I have an album on noisetrade that includes the Greater, the Lesser and the Common Doxologies in addition to the Apostle’s Creed. Check it: http://www.noisetrade.com/jasondurham. I am giving it away for free. The lyrics of the the old hymn writers is flourished with amazing theology wrapped poetically.
I think when we (for a lack of putting it in a nice way) read what our spiritual forefathers wrote (including musical lyric) we can see how we as songwriters have become lazy with our language. We use the same phrases and words that are just repeated from other songwriters who have been so successful (monetarily, radio play). If you were to read the lyrics to the old hymn “I Surrender All”, you will see that WE (self included) have lowered it to an invitational hymn. Those lyrics SLAY me! I challenge any and all to read the lyrics, without hearing the music. They will move you!
Blessings!
Hillsong’s With Everything as well. Its a song that can be so challenging because I know I’m not living and worshipping with everything. So challenging!
I Surrender All
Also Isaac Everett. This is straightforward Psalmody, but in very nice arrangement.
“From the Inside Out” Seventh Day Slumber & “The Motions” Matthew West – the idea of being totally consumed by Christ is a daily prayer of mine but there is still a sense of fear in surrendering that much control. Also “My Jesus” by Todd Agnew – the words he uses to paint the picture of just how far the Church has strayed from Jesus’ heart breaks my heart every time I hear it & the burden of bridging that gap weighs heavy.
Jonathan Helser – Just One Drop
Just one drop of your blood, and my sins are gone
Just one thread of you robe, and I?m made whole
Just one glimpse of your face is all I dream of
Just one moment of your favor, is so much greater
You are the One who was, you are the One who is,
You are the One who will always love
Found this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPN5rQpYFfg
This one (“Monkey’s Paw” by Smalltown Poets) gets me whenever I get too worried about getting what I think i deserve out of life:
I held the monkey’s paw and put my wishes into play
To know the will of God, to show a motive for delay
I’m holding on to find myself
Just one more wish
I found a pot of gold or something shining anyway
And caught in my reflection a conviction held at bay
I crafted a cross to adorn my neck and finally earned my due respect
And then a jewel encrusted crown
To complement my priestly gown
Just big enough to weigh me down
And bring this temple to the ground
From inside out without a sound
I found a pot of gold today
I held the monkey’s paw today and put my wishes into play
Thanked heaven for the trophies but I still had hell to pay
So I brought my spoils to the altar’s edge
Heard You say obey instead
For all of my labors and best laid plans I’d only earned a reprimand
Forevermore to understand that dreams come true can kill a man
If never graced by sovereign hands
I held the monkey’s paw
I’ve been working on a post about this centered around my “dislike” for Chris Tomlin’s “More Than Enough” and other songs I’ve struggled with.
Wow, I wish I had a better list. I’m going to have to give this some more thought.
One lyric that was on my mind just the other day, though:
I don’t want to spend my whole life asking
“What if I had given everything…
Instead of going through the motions?”
-Marshall Jones Jr.
Thank you for exposing me to those lyrics. I left my comfortable eight-year career after listening to your song. I was only there because of the comfort and familiarity.
Thou, Whose Purpose Is to Kindle-D. Elton Trueblood (1967)
2nd Stanza
Thou, who in Thy holy gospel
Will that man should truly live:
Make us sense our share of failure,
Our tranquility forgive.
Teach us courage as we struggle
In all liberating strife;
Lift the smallness of our vision
By Thine own abundant life.
3rd Stanza
Thou, who still a sword delivers
Rather than a placid peace:
With Thy sharpened word disturb us,
From complacency release!
Save us now from satisfaction
When we privately are free,
Yet are undisturbed in spirit
By our brother’s misery.
If you listen to the lyrics, a lot of them. But one that I’ve always struggled with but also is a comfort to me, is the song “Blessed be Your Name.” One of the first lines is “When I’m found in the desert place, blessed be your name.” I take that seriously! The desert place means any hard place, but if you ever listen to me singing it @ Sandals, or for that matter Sandals’ newer one with the early line “This is my prayer in the desert,” I’ll change the words to “When I’m found in Riverside, blessed be your name” Or “This is my prayer in Riverside.” Riverside, in more ways than one, is more of a refreshing place than the desert, but my point is you’ve got to bless God and keep praying whether you are in the desert or by the river, no matter how comfortable or uncomfortable you feel. The Puritans had some things right!
My Jesus I Love Thee…”For thee all the folly of sin I resign”. Told my congregation yesterday that I feel like a hypocrite when I sing it, but sing it anyway to let the true cry of my heart remind me of my sole desire for Him.
I can not find the original artist but there is a song we sing at church that says “Be My Everything”
The song “Be My Everything” is probably “Everything” by Tim Hughes
“This world has nothing for me.” Those are the toughest words for me to sing. I feel so connected to my kids and family, and I know that I could be called home to a better place at any minute. Still I don’t want to go just yet.
“All my delight is in you Lord..all of my hope, all of my strength” – Hillsong ~ “None But Jesus”
“All to You, I surrender, everything, every part of me” ~ Kim Walker “Surrender”
“Is He not strong enough, is He not pure enough, to break me, pour me out and start again?” Is He not brave enough to take one chance on me… ” Stacie Orrico ~ “Strong Enough” (that’s an oldie but a goodie for you!!)
“We must go, live to feed the hungry, stand beside the broken, we must go, stepping forward, keep us from just singing, move us into action..we must go”
Tim Hughes “God of Justice”
You give and take away,
You give and take away,
Still my heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your Name
Crazy. Sometimes, I think of that song and go “No, right now, I can’t say that. It’s too hard.”
Totally agree.
The other one is “I’m so unworthy but still you love me” from Cannons. I often get a lump in my throat along with full on tears at the reality of that statement
I surrender all. for the obvious reason (i mean, how many people can really say this?) plus the one below:
At a retreat, shortly after a time of deep loss, we sang this song on the final day. And the Lord whispered to me, ‘surrender to me your desire for that lost thing’ and that’s when i knew I would never get it back. Even remembering the moment gets me choked up. As painful as it was, I love it when I sense his presence like that in such a certain way.
Either “With Everything” or “From the Inside Out” by Hillsong United. Really tough.
Anything with the words “You’re all I want.” He’s definitely all I want to want, but I find myself to be a liar if I sing those words and try to mean them.
there are definitely tons of challenging songs out there… but this makes me think of a time we were getting ready for a small worship service, just the guitarist and i, and we were going to do trading my sorrows. but life was just smacking us in the face that week and there were so many things we did not want to let go of and i just remember both of us laying on the floor of the chapel changing the words to “no lord, no lord, no no lord”
the simplest phrases can be the hardest… sometimes its hard to sincerely mean yes lord.
from Here I am to Worship
I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
these words break me and heal me at the same time. Without His sacrifice I would not know His love and yet because I know His love my heart breaks that He suffered and died for me.
wow, awesome stuff Los. thanks for sharing it with us.
it’s an older tune, but just yesterday we sang “Breathe” in our worship service & that line “I”m desperate for You,” always rocks me. Most of us, if we were honest, should shut up when that line comes around. We sing of desperation, but too few of us have actually come to the end of ourselves & experienced that desperation.
Last week I drove up, and to the mountains, by myself. I had a CD case full of worship tunes to play and sing along with. Driving,singing and looking at the mountains, clouds, valleys and the road, I got the distinct impression that God loved me. And so, right now, I’m drawing a blank on being disturbed and challenged by worship words. The only words I can think of, are “I love you, Lord and I lift my voice, to worship you, OH MY SOUL, REJOICE…” He loves me even though I’ve screwed up so many times. I’m going to bask in that love for a while and then maybe, He’ll disturb me, later. Am I a fool, or what?
“So let this love be like a fire
Let our lives be like a flame
Fill our souls with your desire
Let our passion bring you fame.”
-Burning Ones, Jesus Culture: Consumed, Chris Quilala
I’m not sure my passion for my Savior has ever brought him fame…this challenges me in ways that I can’t fully understand.
“clear the stage” by ross king.
hands down, when you are not enough. such powerful truths in these lyrics.
When You Are Not Enough
Words And Music By Thad Cockrell and Matt Stevens
When you are not enough
I seek the pleasures of this world
When you are not enough
My hope is lost
When you are not enough
Joy cannot be found
When you are not enough
Please Lord, break my heart
When you are not enough
I carry all my guilt and shame
When you are not enough
I can not bear it
When you are not enough
I’d like to think I’ve learned by now
When you are not enough
Please Lord, Break My Heart
Please Lord, Change my heart
When you are not enough
We trade your beauty for a lie
When you are not enough
Nothing satisfies
When you are not enough
Your joy is always out of reach
When you are not enough
Please Lord, Break My Heart
Please Lord, Change my heart
grant us mercy
grant us grace
grant us wisdom
grant us faith
Instead of a Show – Jon Foreman
A mirror is harder to hold – Jon Foreman
Dirty – Audio Adrenaline
No compitas por su amor – Guardian (I’ve got no idea its name in English)
There’s a song off of Sanctus Real’s “Pieces of a Real Heart” called “Lead Me”
look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying…
“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can’t
Don’t leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?
Show me you’re willing to fight
That I’m still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”
I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They’re just children from the outside
I’m working hard, I tell myself they’ll be fine
They’re in independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying…
“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can’t
Don’t leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, but what about us?
Show me you’re willing to fight
That I’m still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”
So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I’m called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won’t You lead me?
To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can’t
Don’t want to leave them hungry for love,
Chasing things that I could give up
I’ll show them I’m willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, ’cause I can’t do this alone
Father, lead me, ’cause I can’t do this alone
It’s definitely got to be Hillsong’s Everything… Hands down!
You are my all in all… that song always breaks me for some reason I still haven’t figured out
Come thou fount… the line that says “bind thy wandering heart to thee” because it so reminds me that every day I need His grace to remain
“I’m forgiven because You were forsaken.
I’m accepted, You were condemned.
I’m alive and well. Your Spirit is within me,
Because You died and rose again.
AMAZING LOVE, how can it be,
That you my King would die for me?
Amazing love, I know it’s true.
And it’s my joy to honor You.”
I bawl like a baby every time.
widowed after less than 11 months married to my “Boaz”, singing on our worship team Chris Rice’s “Come to Jesus” shattered me the first time through…
“When the love spills over, and music fills the night…”
and
“With your final heart beat, kiss the world goodbye…”
he died in my arms and I got to see the final heart beat.
3 years later (this week!) I can sing this song knowing how rooted my faith is, and how very faithful God is.
Blessed Be Your Name is another that isn’t singing for me–it’s testifyin’!
…all praise to our Father
Drink You Deep by Stefan Van Voorst
Surrounded by wealth and material things
Thirsty for something riches can’t bring
Digging so deep in wells that run dry
Looking for water where death turns to life
We want to drink
Drink You deep
We want to drink from the River that satisfies
We want to drink
Drink You deep
We want to drink from the River of life
Lives of abundance yet spiritually poor
Replenish with You so we’re thirsty no more
Water so bitter no life can be found
Cleanse, mighty River, so life can abound
We want to drink
Drink You deep
We want to drink from the River that purifies
We want to drink
Drink You deep
We want to drink from the River of life
I know I’m bit late on this page (like a year!), but I just found it and it’s great to discover some challenging and meaningful music, need more of this in my church, I miss some of the old hymns! This one is really challenging to me… whatever it takes Lord, make me pure, complete Your work…
1. One thing I of the Lord desire,
For all my path hath miry been:
Be it by water or by fire,
Oh, make me clean, oh, make me clean!
* So wash me, Thou, without, within,
Or purge with fire, if that must be;
No matter how, if only sin
Die out in me, die out in me.
2. I watch to shun the miry way,
And staunch the springs of guilty thought;
But, watch and struggle as I may,
Pure I am not, pure I am not.
3. If clearer vision Thou impart,
Grateful and glad my soul shall be,
But yet to have a purer heart
Is more to me, is more to me.
4. Yea, only as this heart is clean
May larger vision yet be mine,
For mirrored in the depths are seen
The things divine, the things divine.
Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/409#ixzz1LHoI6XO9