What, you don’t want to sing about me? Well, I’m a little hurt, but I suppose I’ll get over it. How about we sing about you then, or better yet, we can sing about us! Sounds silly, doesn’t it? How would you react if a worship leader at your church said such things? It would be a bit nauseating, wouldn’t it? In the setting of Christian worship some might even call it blasphemous, or close to it. Why? Because a worship song with the subject being me (or us) is exactly the opposite of a worship song directed toward our Creator. It’s elevating man instead of God. It’s wrong. Very wrong! Of course, a worship leader would never say such things, would they? Of course not! But it’s my contention that many, many of today’s worship songs are indeed aimed at the worship of the singers rather than at the Creator. And far, far too many worship leaders never give it 2 seconds of thought when they lead the congregation in song. But it is my hope that this short post will stir some thought in you, dear reader. Below are the lyrics of a worship song I recently heard in a Christian chapel service. Let’s take a 60 second grammar quiz, shall we? Look below to determine what the subject of each sentence is (Hint – the subject or assumed subject) is in bold:We‘re giving it all away, away
<we‘re>Giving it all to go Your way
We‘re giving it all away, away
<we‘re>Giving it all to go Your way
<we‘re>Giving it all to go Your way
We‘re giving it all away, away
<we‘re>Giving it all to go Your way
–
In the Father there is freedom
There is hope in the name that is Jesus
<you>Lay Your life down, give it all now
We are found in the love of the Savior
There is hope in the name that is Jesus
<you>Lay Your life down, give it all now
We are found in the love of the Savior
–
We’ve come alive in You
<we‘re>Set free to show the truth
Our lives will never be the same
<we‘re>Set free to show the truth
Our lives will never be the same
–
We‘re giving it all away, away
<we‘re>Giving it all to go Your way
We‘re giving it all away, away
<we‘re>Giving it all to go Your way
–
We are sold out to Your calling
Everything that we are for Your glory
Take our hearts now, have it all now
Let our lives shine the light like the morning
Take our hearts now, have it all now
Let our lives shine the light like the morning
–
We‘ve come alive in You
<we‘re>Set free to show the truth
<we‘re>Set free to show the truth
Our lives will never be the same
–
We‘re giving it all away, away
We‘re giving it all to go Your way
<we‘re>Giving it all away, away
We‘re giving it all to go Your way
Away we‘re singing
We‘re giving it all to go Your way
<we‘re>Giving it all away, away
We‘re giving it all to go Your way
Away we‘re singing
–
Roll back the curtains from our eyes
And now we can see You
Shown us Your way, Your truth and life
We offer our lives to bring You fame
And now we can see You
Shown us Your way, Your truth and life
We offer our lives to bring You fame
We‘re caught in Your freedom
We‘re caught in Your freedom
–
<we‘re>Giving it all away, away
<we‘re>Giving it all to go Your way
<we‘re>Giving it all away, away
<we‘re>Giving it all to go Your way
Away we‘re singing
This song has 36 lines, and out of those 31 had a subject of we, our, or something of ours (hearts, lives, etc.) To be fair, the Father is mentioned in one line and is the implied subject of another, but that’s about it. Some may argue that this doesn’t indicate the subject of the song, but ummmm….yes it does! This song is quite clearly about the ones who are singing it and how we are doing so much for God. The group Hillsong wrote this, so I guess we need to send them a memo: We, the Christians of the World, aren’t the ones who hung the stars, show grace to the wicked or saved them by undergoing a tortuous death. Our triune God did that. Could we maybe sing about Him next time? Granted, Hillsong is low-hanging fruit when it comes to such analysis, but maybe it’s time we start looking at all the fruit out there, eh? What I’m saying is this – the days are turning dark, and it’s time we start paying close attention to what we sing to see if it is truly aimed at our Lord. This short grammar exercise is just one easy way to examine what it is that we worship through song. Myself, I would have felt guilty and ashamed if I were to join in the singing of this nonsense. I know me and my sin, so singing about myself and what I’ve done is a ludicrous thought. If y’all knew me well you would agree! Please folks, start taking the time to examine your worship. Honor and serve the God that saved you. Be intentional and thoughtful in what you participate in when it comes to worship and Christian service.
August 6, 2015 at 10:21 am
Wow what an eye opener I will have to check more closely on the worship songs we hear and sing.
August 5, 2015 at 6:15 pm
I tried singing about you, but my children just laughed so hard I had to stop…anyway, what can we expect? A selfish bunch of false converts has only one intent and that’s the glorification of self.
Only the true believer wants to focus everything on God’s glory.
August 5, 2015 at 6:23 pm
If they knew me, they would laugh!!
I find amazing, and do mean AMAZING, how little thought people put into what comes out of their mouth during worship. How could anyone, anywhere, ever, ever, ever consider this to be a song focused of the worship of God? I honestly don’t get it. I get self-focus and rebellion, but to bluntly call this something it clearly isn’t? And people believe it? Crazy…
August 5, 2015 at 6:24 pm
Seriously, my kids want to meet you one day. They never met a real Texan before…want a good example of what passes for worship today, just look up a singer names Jason Upton. Whew…scary stuff.
August 6, 2015 at 9:12 am
To meet a real Texan we need to get our kids together so they can meet my youngest who was born here (the rest of us are transplants). When he says “grass” it has 3 syllables because of his southern accent. Now that’s a Texan!
According to YouTube videos, angels themselves actually harmonize with Jason when he sings, so it’s obvious that YOU must be the one out of touch with true worship!! Good grief, people are so gullible and undiscerning. Just keep the music about us and we’ll believe (and sing) anything!
August 6, 2015 at 11:01 am
Yeah, well it appeals to an unregenerate heart that desires sensationalism. Like the guy who had gold dust fall from heaven and “anointing oil” come out of his hands (his name escapes me now)…it’s all geared to deceive even if it were possible, the very elect.
Yes, our music is mainly selfish.
This is why many churches stick with the Psalms. You can’t ever go wrong there.
Well, talking about drawl…our kids are quickly becoming ‘Caribooed’. They talk like the locals, they laugh like the locals and dress like them with their gumboots and camo. My oldest boy wears his hunting knife with him even in the stores. It’s a good 16 incher at least. You just never know when you’ll need it for gutting something.