For: The Institute of Contemporary and Emerging Worship Studies, in St. Stephen’s University, Essentials Blue Online Worship Theology Course with Dan Wilt
“In particular, Christian worship from the earliest times has made good use of the Psalms. They are inexhaustible and deserve to be read, said, sung, chanted, whispered, learned by heart and even shouted from the rooftops” (NT Wright, “Simply Christian” p130)
I’m not sure what made me do it, but the other day I lifted an old bible down from the shelf. I have other bibles, and this one hadn’t been my “bible of choice” for quite a while. My brother gave it to me for Christmas when I was 15, in 1985 (thanks bro – I wanted a skateboard). I started browsing through the ragged pages, looking at various passages I had underlined, trying to remember why particular sections had been deemed so worthy of highlighting. Then I came to Psalm 145 where I had underlined the well-known lines “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, He’s slow to anger and He’s rich in Love”. You don’t need to be a theologian to see the beauty in these words and what they declare – in a world where leaders inevitably tarnish and fade and people look for the next fresh face to take them forwards, the unchanging nature of God stands in stark contrast. Worship is a chance for us to declare our allegiance to and reliance on God and this Psalm gives us the opportunity to do this as we tell the world of the King and Saviour – what He is like and what He has done.
Part of me feels like I’m cheating here. After all, I’m not the first one to use this Psalm as a basis for a worship song, but perhaps that’s just the point. The Psalms seem like a limitless resource for succeeding generations to declare the same truths in ways which fit in their times. Although I had read (and sung) these words many times before, as I read them and realized the truth they had carried for me twenty five years ago, I wanted to put a frame around them that would enable them to be sung victoriously – to be declared to the world around us so that all of us can have the opportunity to capture anew just how utterly good, kind, loving and powerful God is. I’m a pretty reserved character – probably too reserved to be a proper lead guitarist, let alone an announcer of biblical truths from elevated positions, but when I consider Wright’s comment about the Psalms at the start of this Blog, I can’t help feeling that this Psalm is one to be “shouted from the rooftops.” So, I hope you enjoy it – but more than that, I hope you feel the gratitude, wonder and even elation that I felt a few days ago as I flicked through the pages of what I once thought was second best to a skateboard…
Mr Millar!
I did not know you were a singer…and to think you shy away from it on a Sunday morning! My mic will be handed to you from now on Mr!
Really impressed with the recording (and wondering why its a rough mix…makes mine sound like splinters!) but all that aside the words are punchy and so full of Biblical truth!
Jen
PS, hope you eventually got that skateboard!
Mark,
You’ll have to open those pipes up more often!
These are really powerful words and you have given them a fresh coat of paint – and its not cheating. I enjoyed the music very much and its great to hear these ancient words in a modern setting (not sure about your drummer tho!)
Martin.
dude…very groovy, very nice.
Very classic feeling! I am astounded by the talent in this group! It’s too bad we are scattered all around the world. I’d love to collaborate with ones as talented as yourself.
About the song, make no apology for using scripture, especially when it speaks truth and flows so well!
Hi Mark
Wow! Great job! Your voice reminds me of one of the Beatles….. Very nice!!
Hi Mark,
Rough??? Not at all. Very smoooooooth!!
Really enjoyed it.
There’s no cheating in using scripture to frame your song, I reckon it’s a good place to start.
God bless, Andrew
By the way, it’s Ringo!