Lyrics Review - Background

Alternative Titles

Lyrics
Chorus
I could play the background
I could play the background (I- I know)
Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead

Verse 1
It's evident you run the show, so let me back down
You take the leading role, and I'll play the background
I know I miss my cues, know I forget my lines
I'm sticking to your script, and I'm reading all your signs
I don't need my name in lights, I don't need a starry role
Why gain the whole wide world, If I'm just gonna lose my soul
And my ways ain't pure if I don't live according to Your Word
I can't endure this life without Your wisdom being heard
So word, to every dancer for a pop star
'Cause we all play the background, but mine's a rockstar
Yeah, so if you need me I'll be stage right
Praying the whole world will start embracing stage fright
So let me fall back, stop giving my suggestions
'Cause when I follow my obsessions, I end up confessing
That I'm not that impressive, matter of fact
I'm who I are, a trail of stardust leading to the superstar

Chorus

Verse 2
I had a dream that I was captain of my soul
I was master of my fate, lost control, and then I sank
So I don't want to take the lead, 'cause I'm prone to make mistakes
All these folks who follow me, gon' end up in the wrong place
So let me just shadow you, just let me trace your lines
Matter of fact, just take my pen, here, you create my rhymes
'Cause if I do this by myself, I'm scared that I'll succeed
And no longer trust in you, 'cause I only trust in me
And see, that's how you end up headed to destruction
Paving a road to nowhere, pour your life out for nothing
You pulled my card, I'm bluffing, You know what's in my hand
Me, I just roll and trust you, You cause the dice to land
I'm in control of nothing, follow you at any cost
Some call it sovereign will, all I know is you the boss
Man, I'm so at ease, I'm so content
I'll play the background, like it's an instrument

Chorus

Bridge
I know I'm safest when I'm in Your will, and trust Your Word
I know I'm dangerous when I trust myself, my vision blurred
And I ain't got no time to play life's foolish games
Got plenty aims, but do they really Glorify Your name?
And it's a shame, the way I want to do these things for You, yeah
Don't even cling to you, take time to sit and glean from You
It seems You were patient in my ignorance
If ignorance is bliss, it's 'cause she never heard of this

Chorus (x2)

Author
Lecrae Moore, featuring C-Lite (Andy Mineo)

Chords
Another version

Lyrics Review
5/5 Scriptural
5/5 Christ-centered
2/5 Chanty
Encouraging to Christians who want to commit
Edifying: surrender, commitment, sovereignty, purpose of Christianity (glorifying God),

Truth be told I'm not fond of hiphop and raps, but a friend of mine recommended this before. I didn't like it the first time but after a while I learned to appreciate it a little. Anyway, let's move on to the lyrics.

Overall, the song is focused on surrender, highlighting the difference between God and man while citing reasons such as God's goodness and sovereignty. I like that it doesn't focus on blessings and prosperity in exchange for surrendering one's life. In fact, Lecrae even acknowledges that it is possible to succeed by one's self

"I'm scared that I'll succeed
And no longer trust in you, 'cause I only trust in me
And see, that's how you end up headed to destruction"

which is, of course, not really success by Christian standards. He even describes the purpose of His surrender, which is to glorify God

"Got plenty aims, but do they really Glorify Your name?"

Lastly, there is one scriptural reference, reminiscent of Christ's words (Mk 8:36 and Mt 16:26)

"Why gain the whole wide world, If I'm just gonna lose my soul"

Anyway, there's not much to say since the bulk of the lyrics are really just imagery on surrender.

Listen

Lyrics Review - At the Cross

Lyrics
Oh Lord You've searched me
You know my way
Even when I fail You
I know You love me

Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me

Chorus:
At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now?

You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me

Refrain:
You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done

And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And You stand before me
I know You love me
I know You love me

Author
 Reuben Morgan & Darlene Joyce Zschech (Hillsong)
© Music Services Inc.

Chords

Background

Lyrics Review
4/5 Scriptural
5/5 Christ-centered
4/5 Chanty
Encouraging to Christians in general
Edifying: God's Love, Faithfulness, Cross, Christ's death, worth of future hope

It starts off with a reference to David's Psalm (Ps 139:1). Nonetheless it doesn't proceed in the same way. Psalm 139 goes off into wonder and awe of God, but "At the Cross" begins with an assurance of God's unfailing love. It then describes a manifestation of God's love, His "holy presence," and also says His faithfulness is at work "in every season."

The chorus then declares that this faithful, unfailing love is completely manifest at the Cross. But it doesn't end there! He moves quickly onto the resurrection, the proof of God's power, and quotes Solomon (1 Ki 8:27) and also the apostle Paul's famous words in his letter to the Romans (Rom 8:31-39) in the form of a rhetoric question.

The third verse sees another aspect of God, as it is a reminder of the prophet Isaiah's words (Is 52:12) then quickly restates the assurance "I know you love me," which implies that these are another set of manifestations of God's love. By now, it is obvious that the song views God as a whole, all the while stating that all His actions are borne out of His love. This wholistic view of God makes it encouraging to Christians in general.

The refrain focuses on Christ's last words "It is finished!" (Jn 19:30) and the tearing of the veil (Mt 27:51). The last verse is not accurate, however, since the earth will not simply fade but will be destroyed by fire (2 Pt 3:7). It's very minor though; no need to change the lyrics in my opinion.

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Lyrics Review - As We Gather

Alternative Titles
Some refer to this as "As We Gather (may Your Spirit work within us)" due to the existence of another hymn "As We Gather At Your Table."

Many confuse the chorus of the hymn to be that of "The Steadfast Love of the Lord" but it is actually a different hymn and currently the popular version is actually a medley of the two.

Lyrics
As We gather
may Your Spirit work within us.
As we gather may we glorify Your Name.
Knowing well that as our
Hearts begin to worship.
We'll be blessed because we came.
We'll be blessed because we came.
(Repeat)

Author
This is an old hymn, but some sources credit this to Mike Fay and Tom Coomes, some even to Maranatha singers. Unfortunately, I cannot find a biography for either of the two.

Chords

Background

Lyrics Review
5/5 Scriptural
5/5 Christ-centered
5/5 Chanty
Encouraging to individual and groups of Christians coming to worship
Edifying: worship, faith, God's blessing,

I'm rather fond of this hymn, even if it is simply looped. Some days I'd sing it for days and days on end. It looks so simple with very short lyrics, but I appreciated it more deeply when I learned more about worship. This hymn is practically a guide to worship!

The first two lines asks for the Spirit's presence, which is crucial in all forms of worship. The second states its goal: to glorify the Lord. The last part is a statement of faith, that God is good and He will surely bless those who worship Him. However, some put special emphasis on this, especially since it is a repeated ending line. It must be remembered that the goal of worship is not blessing, but to glorify God. Personally, I modify the last line to

"We'll be blessed because You came."

whenever I sing it, so that I still remain focused on God, while also saying that God does not owe us His blessing nor does He bless us "because we came." Another way to look at it, it means God's presence is our blessing.

Listen
Here is the popular medley

Lyrics Review - I Surrender All

Alternative Titles
Some know this as "All to Jesus I Surrender"

Lyrics
All to Jesus I surrender;
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

Refrain:
I surrender all,
I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender;
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.

All to Jesus I surrender;
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.

All to Jesus I surrender;
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power;
Let Thy blessing fall on me.

All to Jesus I surrender;
Now I feel the sacred flame.
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory, to His Name!

Author
Lyrics by Judson W. Van DeVenter

Music by Winfield S. Weeden

Chords

Background

For some time, I had strug­gled be­tween de­vel­op­ing my tal­ents in the field of art and go­ing into full-time evan­gel­is­tic work. At last the pi­vot­al hour of my life came, and I sur­ren­dered all. A new day was ushered in­to my life. I became an evang­el­ist and dis­cov­ered down deep in my soul a tal­ent hi­ther­to un­known to me. God had hid­den a song in my heart, and touch­ing a ten­der chord, He caused me to sing. - Van DeVenter 

Lyrics Review
5/5 Scriptural
5/5 Christ-centered
4/5 Chanty
Encouraging to both new and repenting Christians
Edifying: faith, blessing, Lordship, distinct roles in the Trinity, meaning of surrender, joy of salvation, Salvation is God's alone, certainty of God's answer (implicit)

At first I really didn't like the melody of this song. I mean, it sounds a little too old even for me who grew up in hymns (Baptist by denomination, but I don't really identify myself with any). Completely scriptural; most of it are simply repetitions. What I do love about this is that it details what surrender exactly is:

Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;..

Surrender is the forsaking of the self (humility) and the world. It does not, however, end with forsaking but says "Let Thy blessing fall on me." and this attained in the last stanza, the singer shouts regarding the all-satisfying blessings of God:

Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory, to His Name!

The joy of salvation is not the end as many catch the hook-line-sinker of contemporary evangelists, but ascribing glory to God. In connecting the pleading 4th verse to the praising 5th, he implicitly says that God will surely answer anyone who asks. In addition, it acknowledges that salvation is of God alone. Notice that the singer says "I surrender" but also pleads  "Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;" He acknowledges that salvation is God and God's alone.

Listen
Andraé Crouch


Brian Littrell with some modification, inserting the following lyrics between the second and the third verses:

Lord, I give to You
All I ever have
And everything I was
And everything I am

Now I lay it down
I lay it at your feet
To Your grace, To Your power
I surrender all

and completely removing the last verse. This modification makes it slightly more chanty but still as encouraging, or perhaps even more.


Israel Houghton here does not recite the full lyrics but simply repeats the first, making it specially chanty (5/5)

Lyrics Review - All For Love

Lyrics
All for love a Father gave
For only love could make a way
All for love the heavens cried
For love was crucified

Oh how many times have I broken Your heart
But still You forgive
If only I ask
And how many times have You heard me pray
Draw near to me

Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You

Let me sing all for love
I will join the angel song
Ever holy is the Lord
King of Glory
King of all

Oh how many times have I broken Your heart
But still You forgive
If only I ask
And how many times have You heard me pray
Draw near to me

Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You (x2)

All for a love a Saviour prayed
Abba Father have Your way
Though they know not what they do
Let the Cross draw man to You

Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You
Is You

Author
Hillsong United
Copyright © 2005 Cbs/Epic/Wtg Records

Although almost all sites I've seen attribute the song to Hillsong United, this one attributes the lyrics to Stevie Wonder and cites a different publisher, EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group. Personally I think it's Hillsong.

Chords

Background
There are no notable anecdotes regarding this song.

Lyrics Review
5/5 Scriptural
5/5 Christ-centered
4/5 Chanty
Encouraging to backsliders, aware of one's sinfulness, caught in sin (or caught in some form of addiction), those in repentance. Therefore basically Christians in general
Edifying: Father's sacrifice, forgiveness, prayer of Gethsemane, sufficiency of Christ

This song is very popular and the chorus is especially used as a meditation/chant. It's scriptural, but textually speaking slightly incoherent (meaning it does not form a story of any sort): the first verse focuses on the Father sacrificing His Son, the second is a praise, and the third recounts Christ's prayer in the garden of Gethsemane. The bridge recalls to mind the graces of God, which are a good transition to the chorus that declares how God is all we need for us. The lyrics quite accurately describes our spiritual condition and our heart's cry as Christians.

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Lyrics Review - In Christ Alone

Lyrics

In Christ alone my hope is found,

He is my light, my strength, my song;

This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My Comforter, my All in All,

Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! - who took on flesh,

Fullness of God in helpless babe.

This gift of love and righteousness,

Scorned by the ones He came to save:

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied -

For every sin on Him was laid;

Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,

Light of the world by darkness slain:

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,

For I am His and He is mine -

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath,

Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand:

Till He returns or calls me home,

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Author

Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music

Chords

Background

The authors say this about the hymn.

Of all the hymns we have written, this hymn is the most popular wherever we go. Ironically, it is the first hymn we ever penned together.
I had a strong very Irish melody that I could imagine a large crowd singing. I wanted it to become a hymn that would declare the whole life of Christ and what it meant. Something that could teach people the foundations of what we believed in Christ  the God who changed all of history and who wants a relationship with each us.
Stuart penned a quite incredible lyric, which the two of us edited, developed and rewrote for a couple of weeks until it became "In Christ Alone".
As well as being a credal song, it fires people with hope that here is the God who even death cannot hold  "No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me". 

It's a relatively new hymn, You can see the full story here

For the record, Mr. Townend's website is also here

Lyrics Review

5/5 Scriptural
5/5 Christ-centered
2/5 Chanty
Encouraging to hopeless, doubting, in trial, afraid, uncomfortable, aware of sinfulness, guilty, afraid of death, threatened by man. Basically to all Christians
Edifying: incarnation, suffering, resurrection, future hope of return, freedom from sin, position in Christ, Christ as inheritance, redemption, Christ overcoming death, God's sovereignty, omnipotence,


This is one of my favorite hymns!  It begins with a present view of Christ - who He is to the singer. Then the lyrics move on to recount the incarnation, suffering, resurrection, and future hope. It is completely scriptural; have no qualms about it. No wonder, since this was written to be a credal hymn.

Listen

The author's version (Keith and Kristyn Getty)

Natalie Grant

And finally, I love this a capella version. Do listen to it!