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Worship Is Worship Is Worship

Why do we need to put some of it in a box?

Jared Martinson

Oct 03, 2016

Bethel University-MN

needtobreathe.com

Spotify might be the greatest invention of all time. You know why? Because I am able to create a playlist of 500 (and counting) of the best worship songs.

From mid-2000s contemporaries like Chris Tomlin and Casting Crowns to new megabands Bethel Music and Hillsong UNITED, the way that Christian music is created is different, yet the same. Words and communication change, but the essence always sticks: God is good and you are loved.

Lately there's been a lot of criticism regarding lyrical interpretation of worship songs. The most prominent argument is when a song fails to mention God directly. An example is "Draw Me Close" by Michael W. Smith. It never says who the "you" is, and could be taken as a simple love song. I don't like that argument because sure, it isn't specific, but it still is a worship song, and you have to let people see it as one. Praising God is still praising God, and each and every person has their most effective way of doing so.

Another argument is the "redundancy" perspective. Take "King Of My Heart" by John Mark McMillan for example. The chorus is a repeat of "You are good, good, oh oh", and many don't care for that type of lyrical choice. But is it not true? He IS good, good, oh oh. Do you not believe that?

A worship song's goal is to praise, thank, and draw nearer to the Lord. Different people have different preferences when it comes to types of music, and it's not up to us to criticize publicly the content of a song meant for God. Privately, don't listen to it if it bothers you. But it still works for others the same way your favorite jam speaks to you.

On that note, here are some of my favorite worship jams, old and new.

1. Great Are You Lord - All Sons & Daughters

2. Everything To Me - Avalon

3. We Dance - Bethel Music

4. Where I Belong - Building 429

5. Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus) - Chris Rice

6. Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) - Hillsong Worship

7. Touch The Sky - Hillsong UNITED

8. The Stand - Hillsong UNITED

9. Multiplied - NEEDTOBREATHE

10. O Come To The Altar - Elevation Worship

11. King Of My Heart - John Mark & Sarah McMillan

12. Only King Forever - Elevation Worship

—Let me know your top worship jam!—

-JM

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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