The Worshiping Songwriter

Writing Songs

To Encourage Christ’s Church

To Submit to the Holy Spirit

To Glorify The Father

From the Blog

It’s Been a While

Hey all, Sorry its been so long since my last post. There has been a lot going on and many life changes. However, even though I wasn’t posting I was still writing. I have a new set up for recording (livestream anyone?) and some new songs. Since you’ve taken the time to read this youContinue reading “It’s Been a While”

by Dan Loch

Featured Song:
Lord I Believe

“Lord I Believe” by Eric Hendrix

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Just something fun, a new song based on a sea shanty. Sneak peak at a new song? What a great description of worship. By remembering what God has done the singers both praise God and strengthen themselves. If worship relies on a feeling then it is easy to say "I'm not feeling it so God must be far away" but if worship is rooted in who God is and what He has done then it is easier to confess "it's not You who has gone away. It is me who has forgotten". May we sing songs that remind us of who God is and what He has done. I love this verse. It is a bright spot in an otherwise bleak psalm. I encourage you to read the rest of psalm 70, it should only take a minute, and see how both lament and praise can live together in the same song. https://www.instagram.com/p/CIEKTJ0h-oF/ "At an acceptable time" is a hard phrase to add to a prayer. How often do we pray for God's will to be done according to our time line? Or perhaps we say "Jesus take the wheel but let me operate the gas pedal". Yet timing is crucial. Even a good song played at the wrong time is a bad song. https://www.instagram.com/p/CHzFJKIhAm6/ One of God's goals is to take those who do not sing His praises and transform them into people who are singing His praises. Now the question is "what type of person am I?" When I am by myself do I sing God's praises? When I gather together with the saints do I sing of His wondrous deeds? Here we have one of many psalms that asserts that people or creation should rejoice because the Lord judges in righteousness. This trait, God's justice or holiness, is a trait that is underrepresented in modern worship songs. We tend to find more comfort in His love than in His justice. Yet this is like going camping and trading a tent for a sleeping bag. You're going to need both if you want to be protected from the elements. Come and see what God has done! But don't just see it, sing it! The Psalmist uses this line to introduce several miracles that God had already done. When you write songs, remember that singing helps you remember (try saying the alphabet without singing "twinkle twinkle little star). We can actively help people learn Scripture and remember God's wondrous deeds. To dwell with the Lord is to be satisfied. When you think of heaven remember that it is good because that is the place where we get to dwell with God and sing His praises forever. But why wait to start singing? We can use this time here on earth to get to know our heavenly Father better and one of the ways we do that is through song. Sing songs that help prepare you for an eternity in His dwelling place. https://www.instagram.com/p/CHY3jaBhhSr/ Have you ever wanted to complain to God but couldn't find the right words? Well, like with everything else in life, there's a Psalm for that. Don't let the major chords of contemporary Christian music fool you, true Christian worship encompasses the whole of life, including complaints. The key is finding the right words to worship through the complaint and a good pace to start is Psalm 64. What does your soul thirst for? As the election unravels today, take stock of how your heart reacts. As the opposing party takes the lead does your heart grow faint? When your party is winning are you relieved? When you think of God do you thirst for Him as much as you desire the opposing party to lose? Do you rejoice in Him as much as you cheer when your party wins? https://www.instagram.com/p/CHGixc-h2G7/ Hey all, this November I'm going to be writing a hymn of Thanksgiving as a personal challenge. I've shared it with the @gettymusic Hymn Writing Collective and thought I would share it with you too. If you decide to join me in this feel free to tag me in the finished product. I'd love to see what you're working on! New song of the month by @eeeeerrriiiicc_hendrix check it out at theworshipingsongwriter.com! How many songs have we sung recently that worship God because He renders to each according to their deeds? Then go a step further, how many of those songs use that judgement as evidence of his steadfast love? From my experience, modern music avoids the theme of judgement and jumps straight to love. Where do our songs lead us? Do they lead us to ourselves? To money? Relationships? Politics? None of these rocks are high enough or strong enough to carry us through the waves of life. The Only rock that is able to save us is Jesus Christ. Let's sing songs that lead us back to Him. Where do our songs point us to for safety and security? Do we find comfort in money? Nationalism? Ourselves? Is our solace our own emotional response? If our joy is any of these things then we will be sorely disappointed. Only God sustains and saves for good. When we worship, let's make sure our songs bring us back to His character and deeds. At first glance Psalm 59:17 seems to be the opposite of Psalm 58. However, if we read this verse in context then we see that God's love for the Psalmist is expressed by opposing evil. Why is God a fortress? Because enemies will not overcome Him! God's just opposition of evil magnifies His love for those who take refuge in Him. There are many who would describe God as loving at the expense of His wrath. Yet if He stood by and refused to oppose evil then we would not be impressed with His love. The idea that God is a warm hearted grandfather may be comforting but it is insufficient when dealing with evil. Psalm 57:7 needs to be read in context to feel the full weight of this statement. David is singing this while on the run from Saul, his own king who is trying to kill him. In the first half of this Psalm David expresses his distress and in the second half he shifts to praise. David does not fear his captors for he knows they cannot do damage to his soul. Not only that but he has faith that God will make good on His promises one way or another and those promises don't include dying at the hands of the Philistines. In These circumstances David's flesh may be trampled but his soul is secure. Through Psalm 55 God gives us the words to complain and moan before Him. He does not follow this up with the command "be still and know that I am God". Instead the Psalmist recounts why God is good. Remember these two points When writing songs. First, we are giving people the words they will use to pray to God. Second, we can give them the words to help them process grief. https://www.instagram.com/p/CGT1Wqthg3O/ I love the word "helper". Too many times we think of a helper as someone who is subordinate (think a "help wanted" sign). Throughout scripture, a better interpretation of helper is someone who is coessential for completing the mission. Adam couldn't complete his mission without Eve. David can't even survive without God. The psalms continually point us back to God for our deliverance. The things of this world will not only let us down but will also prove us to be fools if we put our faith in them. Remember this when writing songs. If melody or harmony are the primary means of bringing someone into worship then secular music will work just as well, if not better. In worship music, melody and harmony are servants of the text, delivering the truth of God's word to a specific cultural context. Why are the psalms so memorable and vivid? One reason is their use of concrete imagery. The psalmist takes abstract ideas presents them with words that we can feel, see, smell, taste, and hear. These words guide us in how we both think and feel about the topic. The next time you're writing, consider using words that tug on the soul. Write poetry that is both true and beautiful. What a beautiful Psalm of confession. Even though David has committed vile sins, he recognizes that his only hope is God's grace. With verse 17 he also recognizes that mere religious acts will not save him. David knows that God is looking for a repentant heart not just a show.

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