Worship Songs
May 31, 2009
“O God Our Help in Ages Past”
Isaac Watts wrote "Our God, Our Help in Ages Past" as a paraphrase of Psalm 90. His desire to write the hymn was born, in part, out of his dissatisfaction with the church music of his day. At 20 years of age, he complained that the metrical psalms they had to sing at Above Bar Chapel in Southampton were grim and ponderous. But to sing anything other than the actual words of Scripture was said to insult God.
Watts’ father heard Isaac’s complaining and challenged him to "write something better for us to sing." In 1719, he published an important hymnal titled The Psalms of David in the Language of the New Testament. In it he paraphrased the entire Psalter with the exception of twelve Psalms he felt were unsuited for usage.
At this time in England, religious freedom was severely limited and Watts’ father was jailed twice for his religious views. Isaac himself was considered a radical churchman, since he wrote many "hymns of human composure” songs that did not directly quote Bible passages.
In such uncertain times, Watts looked to Psalm 90 for comfort and wrote more than a paraphrase of its heartening words. His hymn actually gave a grand commentary on the subject of time and how God stands above human time.
Originally, "Our God, Our Help in Ages Past" contained nine verses. Today most hymnals use only verses 1, 2, 3, 5, and 9. In 1738, John Wesley changed the first line from "Our God" to "O God." Some feel that the change makes it easier to sing and also calls the vocative case which causes the singer to expect the "Thy" of the second stanza.
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home!
Under the shadow of Thy throne
Still may we dwell secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.
A thousand ages in Thy sight,
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night,
Before the rising sun.
Time, like an ever rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the op'ning day.
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guide while life shall last,
And our eternal home.
Click here to sing along with Westminster Abbey church: www.youtube.com/watch?v=asrwlIxLeko
Click here for an organ arrangement: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo-byfEpXu8
Click here to purchase the song:
“When We All Get To Heaven”
A beautiful inspiring hymn of old, it has inspired believers in Christ for many generations to anticipate the glories that await us in God’s great Home. The words were written by Eliza Edmunds Hewitt for use with children, originally. Eliza Hewitt was a schoolteacher in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Eliza had her career cut short by a serious spinal problem. As an invalid she turned to hymn writing just as her cousin Edgar Page States had done. She was a lay worker who had deeply devoted her life to the Sunday School movement. Eliza had written her songs with the goal of reaching and teaching children with the truths of the gospel. She was the Sunday School Superintendent at the northern Home for Friendless Children and later at the Calvin Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. She was also a regular contributor to the Sunday-School Helps.
Along with Hewitt, the composer of this hymn, Emily D. Wilson attended the Methodist camp meetings in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. They collaborated together and came up with this hymn. This hymn first appeared in Pentecostal Praises, published by the Hall-Mack company in 1898. The anticipation of Heaven has often been described as the oxygen of the human soul. “Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (I John 3:3)
Click here for an arrangement by Brad Paisley: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZnUY3CcH8A
Click here for an arrangement by Alan Jackson: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN_PNnoUJkY
Click here for a black gospel arrangement: www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6pkmWoeuTs&feature=related
Click here to purchase Brad Paisley's version of “When We All Get to Heaven”
“I Have A Hope”
I have a hope, I have a future
I have a destiny that is yet awaiting me
My life’s not over, a new beginning’s just begun
I have a hope, I have this hope
God has a plan, it’s not to harm me
But it’s to prosper me and to hear me when I call
He intercedes for me, working all things for my good
Though trials may come I have this hope
Chorus
I will yet praise Him, my great Redeemer
I will yet stand up and give Him glory with my life
He takes my darkness and He turns it into light
I will yet praise Him, my Lord my God
My God is for me, He’s not against me
So tell me whom then, tell me whom then shall I fear
He has prepared for me
Great works He’ll help me to complete
I have a hope, I have this hope
Goodness and mercy, they’re gonna follow me
And I’ll forever dwell in the house of my great King
No eye has ever seen all He’s preparing there for me
Though trials may come, I have this hope
Bridge
There’s still hope for me today
‘Cause the God heaven loves me
Tommy has led worship at Christian Assembly in Los Angeles, California with his pastor, Mark Pickerill, since 1990. He has traveled with Promise Keepers, Greg Laurie Harvest Crusades and Franklin Graham.
He has also been privileged to serve with such church leaders as Jack Hayford, Bill Hybels and Rick Warren. He has recorded worship projects for Maranatha! Music, Integrity Music, and Get Down Ministries.
He has written over 100 songs that are currently being tracked by C.C.L.I. and are being sung in churches around the world, including “He Knows My Name”, “Only A God Like You”, “That's Why We Praise Him”, “Lord, I Believe In You”, “Mourning Into Dancing”, “Break Through”, and “This is What Christmas Means to Me”.
For the last decade Tommy has traveled internationally holding worship concerts and mercy ministry outreaches in places where people are in great need. He has led his worship team to the Philippines, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Guatemala, Zambia and Brazil.
Tommy has been married to his wife, Robin, for seventeen years. They have four children, Jake, Levi, Emmie and Eileen. To be found faithful to His God, his family and his local church will always be his greatest achievement.
Click here to learn more about Tommy:
www.tommywalker.net
Play the song on Tommy’s myspace:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=97429791
Click here to worship along with Tommy Walker:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcjhNjO_l5o
Click here to purchase Tommy Walker's “I Have A Hope”
"He Knows My Name"
This worship song was written by Tommy Walker. Tommy shared in a recent interview his conversion and call experience:
When I was 11 years old – that was a very big year in my life. That's when I gave my heart to the Lord, and I started playing guitar. This group Love Song, which was one of the first Christian rock bands of all time, was touring through town. That night they were in my living room, and Chuck Girard – the piano player – was playing my mom's baby grand piano, and we were singing a few songs together. It was one of those moments. I said, "That's it. That's who I want to be when I grow up." It was actually a very profound moment. It's through worship music that God really touched me and spoke to me. It's only natural I'd pursue that.
The following is how Tommy wrote the song:
The story of how “He Knows My Name” was written is not very exciting, nor is it inspirational. Basically it’s a story of just trying to be faithful to do my job. In that way, it is a story of self-discipline. Let’s just say, routine discipline stories are far from riveting. However, the fruit of the smallest act of discipline and obedience can be quite another story altogether. When my pastor, Mark Pickerall, wrote a sermon with the title “He Knows My Name,” he asked me if I could write a song to go with it. I felt utterly uninspired that day; but out of the discipline of song writing, which is part of my job description, I dug in and gave it a shot. I remember thinking as the words and music began to come to me, “Wow, this is the simplest song I’ve ever written. Maybe it will work in kids’ church”. Well I went ahead and finished it – something all songwriters struggle to do when something isn’t coming out just right. And like a good, obedient, somewhat disciplined worship leader, I taught it to my church and basically, nothing happened.
A few months later, the women of my church sang it at their women’s retreat and suddenly God moved. They told me that a sense of the love of God entered the room in such a powerful way that many of them were weeping and experiencing all kinds of inner healing. When I heard this, I thought maybe I should give this song one more try. The following weekend, we sang it at church and sure enough it happened: people began to weep. But the funny part is that I also began to weep. God was speaking so intimately to me reminding me that He knew my name and was concerned about the things that concerned me. *(pg. 3, He Knows My Name – Tommy Walker, Integrity Press)
Click here to read more about Tommy Walker:
www.tommywalker.net
Click here to listen to Tommy’s music on his myspace site:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=97429791
Click here to worship along with the Promise Keepers worship team:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXsiWoyjw60
Click here to purchase Tommy Walker’s “He Knows My Name”
“He Came Looking for Me”
(1st Verse)
One night while on life's raging sea it looked as if I would suffer defeat.
As the blackness of night closed off the light my heart sank with fear.
My desperate cry rang out with fright; all I could see was no hope in sight.
With faith all but gone I met the one who came looking for me.
(Chorus)
He came looking for me, He came looking for me.
He made a way when there was no way that I could see.
When I drifted so far Jesus was near to rescue my soul and calms all my fears.
Now I'm safe from all harm since I met the one who came looking for me.
(2nd Verse)
Satan had already picked out my grave, his plan was to foil and put me away.
I'd drifted so far, would anyone care that I'd soon be lost.
I knew my destruction was a matter of time but Jesus appeared and said this one is mine.
Now I'm safe with no harm for he walked through the storm
When he was looking for me.
Click here to listen to the song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=advyy6JOuBw
Click to listen online: www.rhapsody.com/album/nqc-live-vol-4?artistId=art.20944
Click here to purchase the Crabbs’ version:
** Our 10:45 worship service will be led by Aaron Wagner.
Aaron Wagner is a Christian artist and worship leader on a mission to draw people closer to the heart of God. He started seriously learning to play guitar at the age of 17 and, shortly after, realized his gift to use music as a way to lead people to the truth of Christ! In May of 2007, after seven years in youth ministry, Aaron stepped out and began to travel the country full-time performing concerts and leading a new generation in worship. During that time Aaron had the opportunity to play guitar and sing extensively with his good friend and mentor Joel Engle. In August of 2008, after more than a year of intense prayer and dedication, Aaron released his long anticipated debut album, “Paint Me A Picture.” This pop/rock album reflects the transparency Aaron so desperately wants to bring to the stage anywhere he plays. “My prayer for each person who comes in contact with me or my music is that their eyes would be opened wider to the beauty of God!”
Click here to learn more about Aaron.
www.aaronwagnermusic.com
Click here to listen to Aaron’s music:
www.myspace.com/aaronwagner
"Not To Us"
One of the premier songwriters of today, Chris Tomlin is shaping the language of worship for generations present and future. And yet his gifts are rooted in one central truth, that God is the center of everything. Even as a small town Texan boy pounding out new tunes with his rag-tag garage band, Chris Tomlin had been blessed with a passion for purpose. He wanted to be more than just another guy with a song. As he grew, he became even more aware of the fact that everything-what we do, who we are-exists only for God's glory. Tomlin's sophomore studio project, NOT TO US, is an organic, edgy pop blend of his most compelling lyrics to date, the longest and most rewarding mile in his passionate pursuit of real life. NOT TO US is not just another worship album; it's a soundtrack for all of life. "God is a mystery beyond our comprehension," says Tomlin, whose most recent work includes WoW Worship and Passion: Our Love is Loud. "We can't figure God out. He won't be boxed in. He's bigger than all our questions and bigger than our answers. And when our lives become aligned with Him, we see life in a different light, hearts are restored and people are healed."
Lyrics:
The cross before me the world behind
no turning back raise the banner high
Let the heavens shake and split the sky
Let the people clap their hands and cry
It's not for us it's all for YOU
Not to us but to YOUR name be the glory
Not to us but to YOUR name be the glory
Click here to listen to Chris share more about how he wrote the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zt9K5rLHVk
Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFlwKpQmmFQ
Click here to purchase “Not to Us”
"King of Majesty"
This song was written by Marty Sampson. Marty (b. May 31, 1979) is a Christian songwriter and a worship leader at the Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. Originally featuring in the Youth Alive albums of the late 1990s, he was one of original Hillsong United worship leaders and has led worship on every United album to date. He plays guitar and occasionally piano. He was married in November of 2006 to Michelle.
Sampson was a former worship leader for Hillsong United together with Joel Houston (son of pastor Brian Houston). His last album with United in the 2007 United album All of the Above, could be his last album with Houston and the Hillsong United team.
Since his marriage with Michelle, Sampson has moved from Hillsong United to the Hillsong band and helps lead worship with Darlene Zschech and the rest of the team. He is now one of the main worship leaders in Hillsong Church along with Zschech and Reuben Morgan.
Sampson recently released a solo album entitled "Let Love Rule".
Click here to learn more about Marty Sampson:
www.martysampson.net
Click here to worship along with the Hillsong worship ministry:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyyRfx563Zs
Click here to purchase “King of Majesty”
“Our God Saves”
Paul Baloche wrote this song of declaration. Paul said “people are looking for the magic pill, the thing that will give them life and God is the only answer. We come in the name of the Father, in the name of the Son, in the name of the Spirit, as we worship, we will rise with You, and world will see that “OUR GOD SAVES”.
Click here to learn more about Paul’s ministry:
www.leadworship.com/
Click here to hear Paul share the story behind the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqJy6NHe6Po
Click here to listen to the song:
www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=our+god+saves&aq=f
In the name of the Father
In the name of the Son
In the name of the Spirit
Lord we've come
We're gathered together
To lift up Your name
To call on our savior
To fall on Your grace
Hear the joyful sound of our offering
As your saints bow down, as your people sing
We will rise with You, lifted on Your wings
And the world will see that
Our God saves, our God saves
There is hope in Your name
Click here to purchase “Our God Saves”
"Your Name"
This song is by Paul Baloche. Paul is a native of Camden, New Jersey, and is currently the worship pastor at Community Christian Fellowship in Lindale, Texas. You can learn more about Paul on his myspace, and can listen to the song on his myspace standalone player:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=70931079
You can read more about Paul’s ministry on his ministry website.
www.leadworship.com/
Click here to worship along with Paul:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5i2pELpqBg
Click here to purchase “Your Name”
“Gotta Be More”
This song was written by Aaron Wagner.
Click here to learn more about Aaron.
www.aaronwagnermusic.com
Click here to listen to “Gotta be More” on Aarons’ myspace standalone player.
www.myspace.com/aaronwagner
Click here to purchase Aaron Wagner’s “Gotta Be More”
