A Jester in the King's Court

Here are the theological critiques of 10 songs I had to do for class. The more I hate the song, the funnier it is.
“I Am a Friend of God” by Israel Houghton



VERSE:
Who am I that you are mindful of me
That you hear me, when I call
Is it true that you are thinking of me
How you love me, it's amazing (Who am I Lord)

CHORUS:
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend

Verse

BRIDGE:
God Almighty
Lord of Glory
You have called me friend



Breakdown: Admittedly I am biased against this song, but much of the content is from Scripture. The first line is a quotation from Psalm 8 and the last line of the chorus is a quotation from John 15. It is also true that God hears when we call, and that He is Lord of Glory. All off these are positives.



However, while it is true that God is thinking of me, it is true that He is thinking of everyone in that He is omniscient. That line seems to set the song into an overtly saccharine place. The repetitious chorus furthers this overly emotional mood, as does the song’s beat. That stated, the greatest concern about this song is that it is completely anthrocentric. There is no actual statement of praise or worship in this song, merely a statement of how great it feels to be saved. The song falls short of its purpose and should never be sung.



“Shine Jesus Shine” by Cliff Richard



Lord the light or your love is shining,
In the midst of the darkness shining,
Jesus light of the world shine upon us,
Set us free by the truth you now bring us,
Shine on me. shine on me.

Shine jesus shine
Fill this land with the fathers glory
Blaze, spirit blaze,
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word
Lord and let there be light.

Lord I come to your awesome presence,
From the shadows into your radiance,
By the blood I may enter your brightness,
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness,
Shine on me. shine on me.

As we gaze on your kindly brightness.
So our faces display your likeness.
Ever changing from glory to glory,
Mirrored here may our lives tell your story.
Shine on me. shine on me.



Breakdown: This song is a good example of how lyrics can be full of “biblical words” yet carry little biblical substance. It seems a lot of the imagery in this song is being taken from the Revelation of John in which God is seen as the light in heaven. If the lyrics actually mean this, then this song is actually a profound postmillennial chorus, beseeching the Lord to draw history to a close and finalize His kingdom.



However, I don’t think that is the song’s intent. While the song does reference Christ as the light shining in the dark world, it lacks any terms of worship or praise. The second verse does indicate that Jesus’ death bought our salvation (brightness used as a synonym), but despite all these theological nuggets, the songs main point seems to be to indicate that Jesus is shiny and on fire and illuminating various continents.



The song isn’t bad, and it speaks very well to the senses and emotions, but it doesn’t really say anything at all. There’s nothing negative about singing this song, but there are better options.





“Oh Come and Mourn With Me a While” by Fredrick Faber



O come and mourn with me awhile;
And tarry here the cross beside;
O come, together let us mourn;
Jesus, our Lord, is crucified.
Have we no tears to shed for Him,
While soldiers scoff and foes deride?
Ah! look how patiently He hangs;
Jesus, our Lord, is crucified.
How fast His hands and feet are nailed;
His blessed tongue with thirst is tied,
His failing eyes are blind with blood:
Jesus, our Lord, is crucified.
His mother cannot reach His face;
She stands in helplessness beside;
Her heart is martyred with her Son’s:
Jesus, our Lord, is Crucified.
Seven times He spoke, seven words of love;
And all three hours His silence cried
For mercy on the souls of men;
Jesus, our Lord, is crucified.
Come, let us stand beneath the cross;
So may the blood from out His side
Fall gently on us drop by drop;
Jesus, our Lord, is crucified.
O break, O break, hard heart of mine!
Thy weak self-love and guilty pride
His Pilate and His Judas were:
Jesus, our Lord, is crucified.
A broken heart, a fount of tears,
Ask, and they will not be denied;
A broken heart love’s cradle is:
Jesus, our Lord, is crucified.
O love of God! O sin of man!
In this dread act Your strength is tried;
And victory remains with love;
For Thou our Lord, art crucified!


Breakdown: This song bears the rare distinction of being a song that praises the mourning of the Lord’s death, whereas most focus entirely on the victory he accomplishes. This song’s focus is a needed balance in most contemporary Christian minds in that we often forget that though we call the day of the crucifixion “Good Friday” what occurred was actually a grave murdering of an innocent man. Emphasizing this fact for 6 verses makes the final 3 verses of praise stir the emotions deeper and bring to the fore a greater sense of joy.



The only issue I could see one taking with this song would be with stanza 4 and its emphasis on the mother of Christ. While it says nothing unbiblical, and the song was written by an Anglican, it could easily confuse Catholics or those with Catholic backgrounds, while producing no benefit. I would encourage this song be sung minus the 4th stanza



“Blessed Be Your Name” by Matt Redman



Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
And blessed be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

[Chorus:]
Every blessing You pour out I'll
Turn back to praise
And when the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be You name
And blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name


You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
I will bless Your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
[2x]



Breakdown: The lyrics of this song work as a theology not just of worship, but of the Old Testament as well. Using terms like “Stream of abundance” and “Walk in the wilderness” are clear allusions to Israel and their plight through the desert to Canaan. The lyrics however do not focus on the plight of the person (like most anthrocentric songs) but instead focus on God’s sovereignty in giving and taking away, as well as a more general idea of His sovereignty in every aspect of life which seems implicitly stated.



I would strongly recommend this song be sung often. Aside from the strong theological ideas presented thus far, it also highlights to true impetus of worship stating that praise stems from turning God’s blessing back to Him. Not only is this song sound, but it brings forth a solid theology of worship.











“Every Move I Make” by David Crowder Band or Vineyard or Hillsong (no one online would claim this atrocity)



Na na na na na na na na na na na (x2)

Every move I make I make in You
You make me move Jesus
Every breath I take I breathe in You

Every step I take I take in You
You are my way Jesus
Every breath I take I breathe in You

Waves of mercy, waves of grace
Everywhere I look I see Your face
Your love has captured me
Oh my God, this love
How can it be?

na na na na
na na na na na na
na na na na na na
na na na na



Breakdown: It is difficult to theologically dissect a song as empty as this one. It is possible to look at this song perhaps from a Calvinistic/Reformed stand point thanks to the line “Your love has captured me” but it is unlikely that is what is meant, and even less likely that anyone that share this side of the table with me would claim it. Truthfully, “You make me move” could be an allusion to hyper-calivinism or fatalism, though the context might better be read as “dance”



It could also be argued that “Everywhere I look I see your face” is a reference to natural theology and Rom 1. However, the tone of the song seems to preclude a deep discussion of natural theology, perhaps it might be interpreted this way if there were less “na na”s. The terms “waves of mercy” and “waves of grace” are empty and carry no real meaning.



This song is pabulum at best, the lyrical equivalent of cotton candy at worst. It isn’t harmful, but it’s far from profitable, and if anyone considers it an actual worship song it could foster a misunderstanding of what praise is.













“Let the River Flow” by Darrell Evans



Lyrics: Let the poor man say
I am rich in Him
Let the lost man say
I am found in Him
Let the river flow

Let the blind man say
I can see again
Let the dead man say
I am born again
Let the river flow
Let the river flow

Let the river flow
Let the river flow
Holy Spirit come
Move in power
Let the river flow



Background: There are many positive things to be said for this song. The two verses talk about Christ being our treasure, Christ restoring sight, Christ seeking the lost and Christ restoring life. All 4 of these pictures are straight from the New Testament and are presented in a manner that shows Christ’s power.



However, the phrase “let the river flow” is hollow. What river? This song is not an allusion to the Jordan, Tigress, Euphrates or any other biblical river. It is merely a hollow repetitious phrase that has no Scriptural connotation. Sadly it is the most oft repeated phrase in the song. There is no harm in singing this song, and to an extent it communicates truth, but there are many better songs that can be sung.



“Be Thou My Vision” Translated by Eleanor Hull



Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,

be all else but naught to me, save that thou art;

be thou my best thought in the day and the night,

both waking and sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word,

be thou ever with me, and I with thee Lord;

be thou my great Father, and I thy true son;

be thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;

be thou my whole armor, be thou my true might;

be thou my soul's shelter, be thou my strong tower:

O raise thou me heavenward, great Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise:

be thou mine inheritance now and always;

be thou and thou only the first in my heart;

O Sovereign of heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of heaven, thou heaven's bright sun,

O grant me its joys after victory is won;

great Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

still be thou my vision, O Ruler of all.



Breakdown: This song is written in the form of a prayer and has no biblical errors at all. The song appeals to God as that which is worthy to focus on, as wise, as armor, as wealth and as the point of existence in general, referencing John 6, Proverbs, Eph 6, Matt 6 and Col 1 respectively. The lyrics are biblically sound and this is therefore is a song that actually leads people to truthfully worship God. I suggest this song is sung often.





































“Days of Elijah” by Donnie McClurkin



These are the days of Elijah,
Declaring the word of the Lord:
And these are the days of Your servant Moses,
Righteousness being restored.
And though these are days of great trial,
Of famine and darkness and sword,
Still, we are the voice in the desert crying
'Prepare ye the way of the Lord!'

Behold He comes riding on the clouds,
Shining like the sun at the trumpet call;
Lift your voice, it's the year of jubilee,
And out of Zion's hill salvation comes.

These are the days of Ezekiel,
The dry bones becoming as flesh;
And these are the days of Your servant David,
Rebuilding a temple of praise.
These are the days of the harvest,
The fields are as white in Your world,
And we are the labourers in Your vineyard,
Declaring the word of the Lord!

There's no God like Jehovah.
There's no God like Jehovah! [8]



Breakdown: After looking over the lyrics it should be painfully obvious that this is one of the least coherent songs that is sung in churches today. It is true that Elijah declared the word of the Lord, however Moses does not seem to be connected with restoring righteousness in anyway. Also, the song uses “year of Jubilee” but provides no context or rational reason for its presence. Yet, more obtuse than this is the reference to David rebuilding the temple, when he wasn’t allowed to build it, let alone build it, have it destroyed and then rebuild it. This song is about emotion and pep and that alone.



Also, any song with a [x8] anywhere in its lyrics is one that should not be sung. When a 5 year of asks “why” the first time it has meaning, but everyone knows that the 4th time the word is empty. Matthew 6:7 seems rather strong against vain repetitions. Never sing this song.









“Forever” by Chris Tomlin



Give thanks to the Lord
Our God and King
His love endures forever
For He is good, He is above all things
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
With a mighty hand
and outstretched arm
His love endures forever
For the life that’s been reborn
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise
Yeah
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
Forever
From the rising to the setting sun
His love endures forever
By the grace of God
We will carry on
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise
Yeah
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
Forever
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
Forever
Forever
His love endures forever
His love endures forever
His love endures forever
Forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise
Yeah
Forever you are faithful
Forever you are strong
Forever you are with us
Forever
And ever
Yeah
Forever you are faithful
Forever you are strong
Forever you are with us
Forever
Forever
You are God…..
Forever
And ever and ever ….


Breakdown: I would like to be much more negative about this song, but the only real critique I can levy is part of what I mentioned in the last song, hat of vain repetition. However, even that, what is being repeated here are words honoring God as omnipotent, faithful, etc and therefore is reminiscent of the refrain “His steadfast love endures forever” in Psalm 136. The phrase “by His grace we carry on” seems to be at least an allusion to 2 Cor 12:7 in that God shows His strength in our weakness.



I personally do not like this song, but theologically cannot see anything theologically wrong with it, and truthfully see value in it. It’s just repetitive.

































































“Breathe” by Michael W Smith



This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me

This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me

And I I'm desperate for you
And I I'm I'm lost without you



Breakdown: This song seems to be appealing to passages of Scripture that indicate that God is our sustainer. It would be inaccurate to understand the second verse as referencing the Lord’s Supper directly, but the allegorical usage of the Eucharist as sustaining clearly is applicable. Also, the emphasis on desperation resonates with the Psalms of ascents, speaking of desiring God more than watchmen long for morning or sailor’s their ports.



On the negative side, the song is again very repetitive (as are most contemporary songs). Also, the analogies are a bit ethereal and therefore sound as though they should be wrong, even though I think it can be argued that they aren’t. This song can be sung, but has been over sung. The words also are completely anthrocentric and are not actually praising God for who He is, but more informing Him as to how greatly He is desired. This song should be use sparingly.