Our God: Contemporary Worship Examination
In our own cultural world, we have submissively stood in a Sunday morning service not technically engaging our brains with the songs that are being presented. If anything, we are possibly singing songs that we do theoretically not understand. We have also sung lyrics to worship songs that we fully do not understand. Most of these instances come from Hymn selections. In which most Worship Pastors tend to make an effort to explain the dynamics and history behind the song through scriptural reading. With all of these instances, we can all agree that appropriateness is key when it comes to bringing forth any worship song. Chris Tomlin’s song “Our God” displays a magnificent theoretical understanding through the lyrics. In fact, this song became one of the top stapled anthems in the church world. However, there are still many individuals who may not understand the song on a theoretical standpoint. In this blog, I want to examine and critique the lyrics as well as the music for better understanding.
Examination of Lyrics
Most, if not all of Chris Tomlin songs are scriptural based. He dives into the word of God where it helps individuals understand there is meaning behind each lyric that we sing about. However, there are individuals who neglect the reading of God’s word and simply lack the understanding of what he lyrics theoretically mean. Throughout this song, his lyrics speak about praises that should be given to our savior because of the work he has done. For example, the lyrics “Water you turned into wine, open the eyes of the blind” speaks upon the scriptures John 2:9 where he turned the water into wine for the wedding at Cana in Galilee and Matthew 20:33 for giving the blind man on the side of the road another chance to see since he was blind. In a sense, we understand that it’s extremely difficult to explain where the lyrics came from. However, it is our duty as Christians to ask question upon the understanding of the lyrics.
Music Behind the Lyrics
Throughout Tomlin’s time on the scene for Gospel music, he does an excellent job balancing not only the lyrics but also the music to each song so that both are not neglected. Within the music of the song, Tomlin gives simple chords that would give acknowledgement to the lyrics so that the meaning of the song is not diminished for the congregation to understand, In a sense he follows the direction of how the spirit is presently moving throughout the song to make it extremely appropriate for the congregation to not only worship through the song and to not be distracted but to also acknowledge the lyrics as well.
Is it Appropriate for the Congregation?
In a sense, we have all witnessed churches where there is much distraction within the worship in order for God to be glorified within it, which gives honor to not be appropriate for the church. However, this song is extremely appropriate in many ways. The song gives clarity for the congregation to have a call and a response. It also gives the congregation a time of refection on the greatness of God. It’s extremely repetitive for individuals to catch the vision of the song.
Even though this song was created ten years ago, this song has set standards to be appropriate for any sort of setting for worship. It reflects the understanding of how powerful our savior is and explains the intensity of his name and what it carries in which nothing else can stand against him. I also truly believe this arrangement will be carried into the next generation.
