Throwback Thursday

Those who have read any of my thoughts about the worship songs that we sing today will know that I love new songs! And that I also love old songs! As worship leaders we need to be looking to use high quality material, no matter whether it is old or new. Much more important in selecting a song to use in church would be to ask if it is truly exalting our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Is it more about God than it is about me? Is it faithful to the Holy Spirit’s revelation of God in the Scriptures? Is it helpful in enabling our church congregation to express their worship wholeheartedly? Will it enhance their appreciation and understanding of the character of God, His love and mercy and grace?

Today I want to bring a reminder of two of the great songs from around 30 years ago, that are still fantastic to sing today. The songs are Our Confidence is in The Lord by Noel and Tricia Richards, and Jesus is the Name We Honour (We Will Glorify) by Phil Lawson-Johnston.

Our Confidence is in The Lord was written in 1989 and was pretty well a staple in our church for a number of years. The focus is firmly on the Lord Jesus, and as we sing this song we are expressing a simple yet profound desire to have no other trust, no other rock, no other fortress, but rather to commit everything we are and have into His loving arms. Whatever life may throw at us, we will trust in God and no other.

This Songs of Praise recording at the Royal Albert Hall, possibly from a Big Sing in 2004, is a gloriously enthusiastic rendering of this brilliant song. Phil Lawson-Johnston wrote this in 1991, so it’s exactly 30 years old, but it still sounds amazing today. I love the variety of ways that we are encouraged to worship and exalt the name of Jesus: we honour His name, we trust His name, we worship His name. His name is above all other names, above all other kings, and the song brings in the words from Philippians 2 that remind us that every creature will one day bow the knee and worship.

I hope you like my choice of golden worship songs. If not, why not take a look back yourself and see what you can find? I guarantee there is gold to be found and dug out, ready to be used again, if we will only look for Jesus in the old songs and hymns.