Standing at the grand canyon and glorying at yourself..modern praise music

1still_waters · Jan 15, 2011

John Piper uses the illustration of going to the Grand Canyon. And instead of going there and being taken in by the majesty of it, someone goes there and makes a big deal about themselves instead. He uses this to illustrate people who make more about themselves as opposed to God.

I wonder how many of our modern praise and worship songs are like this?

One that comes to mind is the 'How He Loves Us"

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-rW528qiYw[/video]

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

Yeah, He loves us,
Oh! how He loves us,

Oh! how He loves us,
Oh! how He loves.

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If His grace is an ocean, we?re all sinking.
And Heaven meets earth like an unforseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don?t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some parts of this song magnify God, but others seem like you're at the Grand Canyon singing about yourself.

Thoughts?

MaXXX_PoWer · Jan 15, 2011

Great Point StiLLy.... a side note... Grim Gower sings the song better then the original artist.... not saying, Just sayin!!!

ed · Jan 15, 2011

1still_waters said:

Hi 1still_waters,
His love is so great that He sent His Son to die for us. He created us, He rescues us, I doubt that it is possible to understand how great His love for us is because when we understand even some of the greatness of His love, it is impossible not be humbled. Completely humbled. Dwell on this, that God Almighty the creator knows you personally and loves you and wants to spoil you. What God doesn't want is for you to be lost. Think about that. The greatest love a mother could have for a son is not within boo of His love for us.
What sickens me is going to a church and hearing these very beautiful words being sung by a congregation and not seeing any fruit. Empty words from hypocritical lips, how that hurts. If only people would really listen to what they sing and realize how important the words are that they say. If they say the words they should be living the words. Or keep quiet until they are ready.
love
edwin

NoahsDad · Jan 15, 2011

do you reckon David amy have been cast into this same catergory,when he wrote these psalms?
Psa 3:1 A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
Psa 3:2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
Psa 3:3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
Psa 3:4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
Psa 3:5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
Psa 3:6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
Psa 3:7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
Psa 3:8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

Psa 4:1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
Psa 4:2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
Psa 4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
Psa 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Psa 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
Psa 4:6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
Psa 4:7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
Psa 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

I mean in both of these and many more examples ,theres some praise to God and reverence to his magesty,then praise for what He has for the psalmist.
I think there is room for praise to God for what he has done for us in psalms.
Even Paul instructs us to do so
Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

I think some would be schollars are too quick to judge others for what they dont really understand as being gnuine.How different do you think worshipp music would be if one never mentions what God haas done for them?

1still_waters · Jan 15, 2011

NoahsDad said:

do you reckon David amy have been cast into this same catergory,when he wrote these psalms?
Psa 3:1 A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
Psa 3:2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
Psa 3:3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
Psa 3:4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
Psa 3:5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
Psa 3:6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
Psa 3:7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
Psa 3:8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

Psa 4:1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
Psa 4:2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
Psa 4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
Psa 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Psa 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
Psa 4:6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
Psa 4:7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
Psa 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

I mean in both of these and many more examples ,theres some praise to God and reverence to his magesty,then praise for what He has for the psalmist.
I think there is room for praise to God for what he has done for us in psalms.
Even Paul instructs us to do so
Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

I think some would be schollars are too quick to judge others for what they dont really understand as being gnuine.How different do you think worshipp music would be if one never mentions what God haas done for them?

If you make 100% logical sense one more time, I might have to ban you!

(that previous sentence was a joke folks..as in not meant to be taken serious)

But he did make 100% sense.

MaXXX_PoWer · Jan 15, 2011

Were suppose to actually take still_waters post serious?????? I just usually assume he's being sarcastic or making a joke.

To be serious 4 a moment... I think it's not a bad idea to take a look at stillys point from his side of the fence. I ultimately disagree and line up with Noah's dad, but It is a good idea to make sure were not always making things somehow about us, when It Is ultimatley always about Hin {Jesus}. Any good thing, if any, comes from Him and Him alone.

Max.

Stephen63 · Jan 15, 2011

I believe, from our standpoint, it should be mostly about Him. I do see the point, because more and more worship music seems to be about what we are doing, what we're receiving, and getting emotionally excited about it. While emotional excitement isn't sinful, being ONLY emotionally excited totally misses the real point of worship, and that's getting our minds on the Lord: who He is, what He has done so that we remember we are PRIVILEDGED to praise Him! I see Noah'sDad's point also.There should be a BALANCED style of worship between the two, for we are to remember what Christ has done for us.
However, we need to take notice of the facts: more and more worship is leaning towards emotional excitement, being charged by the style of music, the instruments involved, and how the opposite sexes on stage portray themselves. Even the lighting on stage is used to this end. We ought to consider, and fear, for we don't realize how close we are to "a form of godliness", trading emotional excitement for true passion for God. Being only excited about the mood can be an indicator of spiritual deadness.

NoahsMom · Jan 16, 2011

Worship music would seem to mean just that "worship", or showing reverance to God. If it doesnt speak to me persosonally, like as in a situation I may have been thru when God carried me, etc, or if its not talkin about loving him, praising him, i just kinda tune it out. The older hyms are waaay meaningful too. which is what I was raised hearing.

Lalilo · Jan 16, 2011

You very really hear of songs that are about how much we love God. Most seem to be about how much God loves us. Is it not better to give than recieve.

phil36 · Jan 16, 2011

1still_waters said:

When you comparre this song (the one you have posted) it is in no way in comparison to the Psalms.

1) it could be sung to anyone or thing.

2) Its all about Me, that should be ME.

I think we sometime's in this debate over modern hymns get confused over the style of music.

There is nothing wrong with the style of music we play either Old or New. It is the content of the hymn..that matters. and unfortunately most modern hymns do not have much content, they actually sound more like bad 80's love ballads. This is not what we find in the Psalms.

There are many excellent modern hymns, that, convey a truthful basis of why we worship/praise ad what we believe. The problem we have in our times is that people are looking for that experintial feel good hit or 'what can i get out of this'' rather than a humble reverence in praise and worship to the Most High Sovereign God.

However, more and more (so called) Hymns are becoming self absorbed novelty love songs, that are neither edifying nor God Glorifying.

Buddee · Jan 16, 2011

Stephen63 said:

I believe, from our standpoint, it should be mostly about Him. I do see the point, because more and more worship music seems to be about what we are doing, what we're receiving, and getting emotionally excited about it. While emotional excitement isn't sinful, being ONLY emotionally excited totally misses the real point of worship, and that's getting our minds on the Lord: who He is, what He has done so that we remember we are PRIVILEDGED to praise Him! I see Noah'sDad's point also.There should be a BALANCED style of worship between the two, for we are to remember what Christ has done for us.
However, we need to take notice of the facts: more and more worship is leaning towards emotional excitement, being charged by the style of music, the instruments involved, and how the opposite sexes on stage portray themselves. Even the lighting on stage is used to this end. We ought to consider, and fear, for we don't realize how close we are to "a form of godliness", trading emotional excitement for true passion for God. Being only excited about the mood can be an indicator of spiritual deadness.

Remembering God for what He has done for us...that's Praise....

Remembering God for who He is...that's Worship.

Worship should not be balanced.

It should be all about God being...well...GOD!

Lalilo · Jan 16, 2011

Remember God is a jealous God.

Stephen63 · Jan 16, 2011

Hey Buddee,
Just a gentle reminder to reread the post again......slowly

MaXXX_PoWer · Jan 16, 2011

I still like Maxxx_Powers response. It seems to fit.

Oh. wait..... I am Maxxx_PoWer and that would somehow be making this about me. My Bad!!!

Max.

It's all about you... La La La Jesus,... it's not about me..... La La la

Lalilo · Jan 17, 2011

Has anyone had a go at putting the Pslams to modern music?

depressed_angel · Jan 17, 2011

i wish i could give my thoughts but it wont load for me :/

Kakashi · Jan 17, 2011

It just seems like Kim walkers is glad that God is jealous for us and has great affections for us. You could easily reverse it and say "God is a jealous God" or "God is love and is great for it" Just because it has a direct thing towards "me" does not make it self absorbed .

God is jealous for me, and I'm glad that he loves us enough to want us! This just seems nit picky to me. but I'm biased, i love this song haha.

i think the Pslams do relate to this. david does focus alot on his situations and How God relates to Him. i believe we're in a relationship with God, yea?

NoahsDad · Jan 17, 2011

Lalilo said:

yes.disciple has done it b4,I know kevin personally and he based alot of his songs on the psalms in the beginning of the band,it used to be a ministry,not sure now,as we lost contact since he moved to kentucky.

PreTribGuy · Jan 17, 2011

1still_waters said:

Something like this?

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj2YY2jLJ1k[/video]

Buddee · Jan 17, 2011

Stephen63 said:

oooo-kaaaaaaaay......nooooooooow whaaaaaaaaaaaat?

Standing at the grand canyon and glorying at yourself..modern praise music

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