Vesekhoyi Tetseo (Vee)

Folks,

It’s been a quick week and I can’t imagine how my time is zapped up like a blink of the eye. Monday comes and within no time Sunday is here. Yet, life is such a wonderful gift from God to be lived at the fullest. Although we are partly experiencing the economic downfall, I believe we are all ready to face any challenges and come out of this mess soon. We must continue to pray for our leaders. Anyway, without much ado, I thought I would like to update some of my thoughts on writing worship songs.

Writing songs for worship as I have learned is a 3 way process. First, I, most oftentimes write worship songs from my own personal devotions. Worship songs can be personal. The Scripture/ God’s words has to speak to me first. What does God say? How is it going to impact to me personally? Unless, there is a personal testimony to your songs, songs can become song-sake and your relationship with God may not be reflected in the song.

Second, Worship songs can be corporately addressed. What is the proclaimed Word? To whom it is addressed? What is the Scripture teaching us through the particular verse? How will the song affect the congregation? Carefully analyze any worship songs of this generation, and you will find there are songs that is addressed as ‘I’ or sometimes ‘We/Our’. It does not necessarily mean that because it is addressed as ‘I’ it is not a worship song. Our personal worship can be corporately shared by each individual and sung as a congregation. Example, ‘I worship You,’ “I give you my heart’ ‘Our God is an awesome God,’ ‘We’ve come to bless your name’ etc. It means the author of the song has had the congregation in mind and is collectively desiring that the Scripture has something to say to the congregation, and that is, addressed to the people as a response to God.’

Third, worship songs are an offering to God. It addresses to God. He is the sole audience. Some people call it ‘One Audience’. That is so true. Our worship songs must be directed to God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Worship songs must reflect our adoration, love, respect, worth of Him, proclaiming His greatness, victory etc. There are also songs that are addressed to God. Example, Songs like ‘You are crowned with many crowns’ etc directly proclaims who God is. Worship songs must teach, admonish and encourage us to get closer to God. It must help us to meet God personally. Worship songs must help guide us to change our hearts, lives every time we sing. It is God who changes our heart but worship songs serves as an aid towards that change. And likewise, worship songs must be written and sung sincerely. First, with your being as a person who has received His forgiveness and salvation. Second, as a person whose life is surrendered to God and in response obey His teachings. Third, God is your priority and your love and adoration for God is singly focussed.

Thanks for reading and pray a word or two sinks in your heart. Next, I would like to write few thoughts on why songwriters write songs that we call (Mostly Contemporary) ‘Praise’ and ‘Worship.’

Vee

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 at 5:17 pm and is filed under Song Writing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.