More Worship Songs Compared

I’ve been following the comment string on a blog post about problems at IHOP - that bastion of aberrant and false teaching and false prophets (referred to in my last “Random Apostasies and Heresies” post). Someone posted the lyrics to two “worship” songs by Misty Edwards, who was identified as “IHOP’s supreme musician,” and, while reading them, I was just shaking my head at what was passing for “Christian” songs.

I was going to write a post about these two songs, but while singing in church today my mind was immediately drawn to the difference between what we were singing and what Misty Edwards promotes. It was such a stark contrast that I felt the need to compare them.

Now, be aware that I am only posting lyrics that I copied from the other site, and am trusting accuracy to the person posting them there. I also must note that the poster said that these lyrics are “taken from” the whole songs, while he was demonstrating a problem.

“I will waste my life” 

For I am in love with you,

and there is no cost.

I am in love with you,

and there is no loss.

I am in love with you,

I want to take your name.

I am in love with you,

I want to cling to you, Jesus,

Just let me cling to you, Jesus.

I say goodbye to my father, my mother,

I turn my back on every other lover, and I

Press on, yes I press on.

I say goodbye to my father, my mother,

I turn my back on every other lover, and I press on, yes I press on.

　

“What Only You can Do”

I’ll take Your Word in my hand

And then I’ll give You time

To come and melt me

I can’t even love You unless You call my name

I can’t even worship unless You anoint my heart, God

I can’t even want You unless You want me first

Come fan the flame, oh

Come fan the flame, yeah

The first song sounds like something one would sing to a boyfriend, i.e, “I want to take your name” would be saying she wants to marry him. At any rate both these are “Jesus is my boyfriend” songs, treating Jesus as if he were a lover rather than Lord and God.

Now, let’s look at the song we were singing when I thought about the contrast. The lyrics are from the 4th century - you know, before Roman Catholicism corrupted things. The tune itself is from the 13th century.

“Of the Father’s Love Begotten”

Of the Father’s love begotten,

Ere the worlds began to be,

He is Alpha and Omega,

He the source, the Ending He

Of the things that are, that have been,

And that future years shall see,

Evermore and evermore.

O ye heights of heav’n, adore Him;

Angel hosts, His praises sing;

Pow’rs, dominions, bow before Him

And extol our God and King;

Let no tongue on earth be silent;

Every voice in concert ring,

Evermore and evermore.

Christ, to Thee with God the Father,

And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,

Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving,

And unwearied praises be:

Honor, glory, and dominion

And eternal victory,

Evermore and evermore

　

I think it should go without saying that the songs from IHOP are not even useful for private devotion, let alone in the assembly, while the last song is useful for both.

And that is a problem with much of what passes for “Christian” music nowadays. I realize some of the “old” stuff is problematic, but if I were to hazard a guess I’d say 90% of the older songs are good while 90% of the newer ones are not! While most of the older songs were focused on the Lord, the majority of today’s songs are focused on self - and way too many of them are of the “Jesus is my boyfriend” variety!

I really, truly wish Christians would be more discerning as to the music they choose, especially those in leadership positions! Filling our heads with garbage does nothing to foster the worship of God.