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.
Listen
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Monday, January 5, 2015
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
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
Sunday, January 4, 2015
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
Background
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)
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
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 DeVenterLyrics 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 Criteria
I have developed 5 criteria by which to rate a song's lyrics: Scriptural, Christ-centered, Edifying, Encouraging, and Chanty (in their noun forms haha). I'll try to put a numerical value like from 0 to 5 (unless otherwise specified), but then these are rather subjective. As such, in my opinion, it would be better to read my analysis and compare it with your own and of course with scripture. Since we're comparing with scripture, naturally, you'd expect secular songs to be of lower ratings here.
The description of the five criteria are as follows:
Scriptural
It's pretty straight-forward: lyrics are scriptural when they agree with scripture. Complications arise depending on one's theological stance (take "Bring the Rain" by MercyMe which has an Arminian outlook), so of course the numerical ratings here are especially less useful.
Rating
5 - no scriptural inaccuracy
4 - one or two minor scriptural inaccuracies
3 - many scriptural inaccuracies
2 - at least one major scriptural inaccuracy
1 - very little scriptural accuracy
0 - completely unbiblical
Well we define scriptural inaccuracies as major if it contradicts an essential doctrine and minor if otherwise. Ratings with less than 3 are not recommended at all, while those with 4 can still be editted. Secular songs obviously fall on 1 or 0, while Christian ones can range from 2 to 5.
Christ-centered
or God-centered. Pretty straightforward too. It is a bit of a dilemma rating 3 and 2 since they are not necessarily evil, but are an integral part of worship. However, complete focus on them is not good either. I put focus on "man's duty" over that of "blessing" because I think that the former is more noble than the latter. Obviously, secular songs would also either fall on 1 or 0.
Rating
5 - Complete focus on God
4 - Incomplete focus on God
3 - Complete focus on man's duty
2 - Complete focus on blessing
1 - Focus on worldly philosophy
0 - Focus on self-will or worldly pleasures
Encouraging
Songs can encourage us and other people too, especially during congregational worship. This is highly subjective though, and I will not use a numerical rating but instead specify under what kind of circumstances a song can be encouraging. This makes it very theoretical too, since I'd be using mainly my imagination.
Edifying
Edify is to build up or to teach. This shows how much one can learn by meditating on the lyrics of the song. Like the previous criteria, it would be better to not have a numerical rating here, but instead I will list the topics covered by the song.
Chanty
Tendency to become a chant. I'm not sure if this is even a word. Anyway, this might sound negative, but I think a chanty song is fine if it is both scriptural and Christ-centered. Chanty or repetitive songs are easily remembered and easily form an LSS (Last Song Syndrome). Nonetheless, we should worship the Father in "spirit and in truth," and "with all our minds" so do try to avoid mindless chanting. Like the other ratings, this is also subjective so it is best to read and see for yourself if what I say applies to you.
Rating
5 - Too chanty/repetitive
4 - Chanty chorus
3 - Has memorable lyrics
2 - Memorable tune
1 - Hard to memorize
0 - Not memorable at all
So that's that. I will be updating the two previous reviews based on this.
The description of the five criteria are as follows:
Scriptural
It's pretty straight-forward: lyrics are scriptural when they agree with scripture. Complications arise depending on one's theological stance (take "Bring the Rain" by MercyMe which has an Arminian outlook), so of course the numerical ratings here are especially less useful.
Rating
5 - no scriptural inaccuracy
4 - one or two minor scriptural inaccuracies
3 - many scriptural inaccuracies
2 - at least one major scriptural inaccuracy
1 - very little scriptural accuracy
0 - completely unbiblical
Well we define scriptural inaccuracies as major if it contradicts an essential doctrine and minor if otherwise. Ratings with less than 3 are not recommended at all, while those with 4 can still be editted. Secular songs obviously fall on 1 or 0, while Christian ones can range from 2 to 5.
Christ-centered
or God-centered. Pretty straightforward too. It is a bit of a dilemma rating 3 and 2 since they are not necessarily evil, but are an integral part of worship. However, complete focus on them is not good either. I put focus on "man's duty" over that of "blessing" because I think that the former is more noble than the latter. Obviously, secular songs would also either fall on 1 or 0.
Rating
5 - Complete focus on God
4 - Incomplete focus on God
3 - Complete focus on man's duty
2 - Complete focus on blessing
1 - Focus on worldly philosophy
0 - Focus on self-will or worldly pleasures
Encouraging
Songs can encourage us and other people too, especially during congregational worship. This is highly subjective though, and I will not use a numerical rating but instead specify under what kind of circumstances a song can be encouraging. This makes it very theoretical too, since I'd be using mainly my imagination.
Edifying
Edify is to build up or to teach. This shows how much one can learn by meditating on the lyrics of the song. Like the previous criteria, it would be better to not have a numerical rating here, but instead I will list the topics covered by the song.
Chanty
Tendency to become a chant. I'm not sure if this is even a word. Anyway, this might sound negative, but I think a chanty song is fine if it is both scriptural and Christ-centered. Chanty or repetitive songs are easily remembered and easily form an LSS (Last Song Syndrome). Nonetheless, we should worship the Father in "spirit and in truth," and "with all our minds" so do try to avoid mindless chanting. Like the other ratings, this is also subjective so it is best to read and see for yourself if what I say applies to you.
Rating
5 - Too chanty/repetitive
4 - Chanty chorus
3 - Has memorable lyrics
2 - Memorable tune
1 - Hard to memorize
0 - Not memorable at all
So that's that. I will be updating the two previous reviews based on this.
Saturday, January 3, 2015
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.
Listen
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.
Listen
JavaScript and the Near Future
I was copy-pasting a javascript for fluid width YouTube videos and after three hours I finally got it working! Three hours, I know; I'm pretty stupid. But really, I have zero knowledge on these kinds of
stuff.
Anyway, I should be learning javascript here. It's a great resource: starts with the basic and builds up with very detailed examples you can play around with, but unfortunately I should be really studying for the upcoming PIChE quiz bowl by now, or reading up on our thesis and fixing our plant design for that matter, I'm too lazy though; the last sem was incredibly toxic and the only thing I learned this vacation is how to chillax.
That said, I can see it'd be pretty hectic this semester, and of course I don't want to compromise my time with summer moon xD That means I have to cut down on other hobbies, but I think they'd make great material here too... Edit: I also plan to upload my other random journal entires here (yay for privacy! but like I said, this is my personal public-private space and although it's visible I'm not going to market it anytime soon.)
stuff.
Anyway, I should be learning javascript here. It's a great resource: starts with the basic and builds up with very detailed examples you can play around with, but unfortunately I should be really studying for the upcoming PIChE quiz bowl by now, or reading up on our thesis and fixing our plant design for that matter, I'm too lazy though; the last sem was incredibly toxic and the only thing I learned this vacation is how to chillax.
That said, I can see it'd be pretty hectic this semester, and of course I don't want to compromise my time with summer moon xD That means I have to cut down on other hobbies, but I think they'd make great material here too... Edit: I also plan to upload my other random journal entires here (yay for privacy! but like I said, this is my personal public-private space and although it's visible I'm not going to market it anytime soon.)
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.
Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
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
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.
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!
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