“One day the waiting will be over, every wrong will be made right, and all creation will bow before the returning King and Savior, Jesus Christ. Until then, we praise… we trust…we hope…we pray, knowing that the God who gave his only Son to redeem a people for himself will never go back on his promises.”
In a culture where churches often steer towards either "heads" or "hearts" in their congregational music, Sovereign Grace's desire to provide 'doctrinal fuel for emotional fire' has often served us with great songs that speak to and express both deep truths and the emotions that rightly should follow them.
Sound wise, this album is not breaking any new territory, and nor does it intend to. But don't misread this as a criticism - it is really well produced and great to listen to. And what it does do is present simple but intentional and effective arrangements that really serve the songs. Often our music leaders have the task of seeing through layers of production and arrangements to gain an idea of whether a song will "fly" with our congregations - but the simplicity of this recording gives an immediate impression of how these songs might work with your team and church. It generally sits in a comfortable balance between sharp production and ambient 'crowd' vibe - you get a real impression of being there, but not to the detriment of listenability.
A liturgical flow is very evident in the album as a whole. Its starts with a couple of solid anthemic songs praising God for his character, sovereignty and holiness, that you could hear working in most contexts. This includes their take on "All Creatures of Our God And King", which would have to be one of the best 'edited' hymn that's been written recently - the final additional verse completes the hymn (however, I think I still lean towards the West Coast Revival version music wise!).
Then the songs move into a tone of confession and assurance, and this is where I think this album may really serve to add depth to the scope of our song lists.
"Forgiven" is quite unique in the way that it takes the truth of God's forgiveness through Christ - "Forgiven, forgiven / Through the blood of Christ / We are forgiven" - and then really applies it to the complexities of our broken hearts; our pride, judgementalism, greed...and even the way our shame often leads us to forget our righteous status in God's eyes. There's a universality to the verses that will apply to all believers, but also a particularity that refuses to be held at arms length.
“Lord, forgive us for our shame
When we can’t release the past
When we’re quick to take the blame
But forget we’re free at last
We avoid Your sons and daughters
For the fear we don’t belong
Give us eyes to see each other
Through Your only Son ”
It then moves to probably the strongest song on the album. The three verses of "Lord, Have Mercy" move from humble confession to celebrating our assurance to longing for Christ's return. And the beauty of the music and lyrics together help us both express our present confidence and yet still cry out with Godward longing in the chorus.
“VERSE 1
O God, we come before Your throne
And in our weakness we confess
We go astray and sin each day;
We cast ourselves upon Your grace
O Lord, have mercy on us,
Sinners in need of grace
Forgive us our transgressions
And lead us in Your righteous ways
God, lead us in Your righteous ways
VERSE 2
The blood You shed has paid our debts;
Jesus, You’ve washed our sins away
We trust Your grace, believe by faith
In You we have all righteousness
O Lord, You’ve shown us mercy;
Sinners are washed as saints
You’ve shown Your loving-kindness;
Sons of disgrace are righteous made
Sons of disgrace are righteous made
VERSE 3
We fix our eyes on You, our prize
Jesus, the Author of our faith
Till You return or bring us home
You strengthen us to run the race
O Lord, forever faithful
All glory to Your Name!
We have no other Savior
Our great Redeemer, God and King
Jesus, Redeemer, God and King ”