Featured SongRecent New Songs at Redeemer
Home » Blog » GeneralPosted by David L. Ward on March 22nd, 2011
I thought it might be helpful to list some of the new songs that we've been learning at Redeemer Bible Church since January 1st, 2011. I think that it's a good general guideline to teach no more than one new song every other week, but this list has 12 songs in 12 weeks! This is due to the fact that four of the songs were new texts set to tunes that the people already knew, and one was a very widely known song (Indescribable). That's still 8 new tunes in 12 weeks, and this is due to the fact that our pastor was chomping at the bit to learn some of these songs as soon as possible.
Come People of the Risen King - Keith & Kristyn Getty & Stuart Townend, ©2007 Thankyou Music
On the album "Awaken the Dawn" by Keith & Kristyn Getty
We're just learning this song which functions as a fantastic call to worship. There are not a lot of songs that speak so directly to the public gathering of God's people for praise. I think of this song as a modern day Rejoice, the Lord Is King by Charles Wesley
Indescribable - Laura Story, ©2004 worshiptogether.com songs
On the album "Arriving" by Chris Tomlin
This song does a good job of presenting God's majesty and might in modern-day language. It functions well as a song of praise in response to God's character, which I normally use towards the beginning of the service.
Stronger - Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan, ©2007 Hillsong Publishing
On the album "This Is Our God" by Hillsong
Fantastic anthemic song that feels a lot like a "modern hymn" musically, but with a slightly more syncopated feel. The chorus is absolutely fantastic musically and lyrically. We never tire of singing about how God's love is stronger than our sin and shame. "He is stronger. Sin is Broken!"
This video captures the triumphic, anthemic nature of the song:
The King of Love My Shepherd Is - Henry W. Baker (1821-1877), Public Domain
This traditional hymn is set to the tune ST. COLUMBIA (commonly used with "How Sweet and Awful Is the Place")
On the album "Complete New English Hymnal Vol. 16" by the Choir of the King's School
God Over All - Devon Kauflin, ©2006 Sovereign Grace Praise
On the album "Overflow 4" by Sovereign Grace Music
This was a special request by my pastor. It's a song about how God's love was shown to us in Christ and ultimately moves us to praise.
The Lord Is Sovereign - David L. Ward & Eric Schumacher, ©2010 ReformedPraise.org
A hymn text set to the tune for "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"
There's no produced recording available, but you can get the text here.
This hymn fit a sermon on God's sovereign power and providence very well.
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) - John Newton / Chris Tomlin & Louie Giglio, ©2006 worshiptogether.com songs
On the album "See the Morning" by Chris Tomlin
Great chorus added to the traditional tune for Amazing Grace. We sang the hymn tune without Tomlin's syncopation, and the people followed the subtle shift from 3/4 to 4/4 meter without a hiccup. I think the chorus is a nice addition musically and lyrically.
Out of the Mud (Psalm 40:1-2) - Rodney Clawson, ©2004 Writer’s Extreme Music
On the album "Seeds of Courage" by Seeds Family Worship
This is a Scripture memory song written and marketed primarily for kids, from the series of albums called Seeds Family Worship. Since this series is popular at our church, we used it in an effort to include our youth more in our song selection.
I've Found a Friend, O Such a Friend! - Text: James G. Small (1817-88) / Tune: Stuart Townend (How Deep the Father's Love for Us)
Text: Public Domain, Tune: ©1995 Kingsway's Thankyou Music
We didn't know the tune in the hymnal (CONSTANCE) and Townend's tune seemed to fit much better and was already known to our church. Fantastic hymn text about the intimacy we can experience with Jesus.
The Father's Love - Joel Sczebel, ©2009 Sovereign Grace Worship
On the album "Sons and Daughters" by Sovereign Grace Music
This was another request by my pastor, who came back from his sabbatical and preached on the fatherhood of God. The song is a very joyful presentation of our experience of being adopted and born into God's family.
I'll Never Forsake You - David L. Ward, ©2011 ReformedPraise.org
Demo recording and text available here.
I wrote this song over the New Year holiday and sensed God prompting me to share it with our people not long after to encourage and comfort them. It's a song about suffering in light of God's fatherly love, and was very well received; we'll likely continue to use it.
Oh the Deep, Deep Love - Samuel Trevor Francis (1834-1925) / Bob Kauflin, ©2008 Sovereign Grace Praise
On the album "Come Weary Saints" by Sovereign Grace Music
Great new tune for this classic and wonderful hymn text by Samuel Francis. Kauflin's tune gives a completely different mood to the text and is worth considering instead of or in addition to the traditional tune (EBENEZER).
