Ever want to sing a catchy praise song but you just can’t do it? Maybe, it’s because the refrain just doesn’t make sense to you. Or perhaps, it’s because you feel that although it’s a good sentiment, you’d be lying if you sang it!
We all know the Lord loves our praise. And Scripture commands us to delight in the Lord! So how can we delight in Him AND the music, even when the song seems to suck? Should we just cinch our belt and bravely plow through it? And like “Good Christians” blandly mouth the words like we’re chewing on cardboard?
Could there be a better way?
This was something I struggled with time and time again. But then the Lord showed me I CAN have my cake and eat it too! So here’s how to delight in Him, even when you’re singing a song as tepid as warm coffee!
Change the Offending Word to Anything Else as Long as It’s Biblical
Today at church, I heard two songs I couldn’t sing some of the words to. But the Lord showed up and helped me sing anyway. Here’s what He did. And what He’ll do for you if you ask Him!
The first song was Gratitude by Brandon Lake. I happen to like Brandon Lake. And the song has a lot of good words. But I can’t wrap my arms around the refrain, which says that I have nothing to offer but a hall-e-lu-jah, hall-e-lu-jah. So while singing it a part of me cried out and must have said “JESUS” I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT A HALLELUJAH MEANS AND I NEVER SAY THIS! WHAT DO I DO HERE? I LOVE YOU AND WANT TO WORSHIP YOU!
Suddenly He gave me the answer. As soon as I heard:
“So I throw up my handsAnd praise You again and again;‘Cause all that I have is a hall-e-luj-ah, Hall-elu-jah”
I replaced the last stanza with
I-Love-You-Lord! I-Love-You-Lord!
It fit exactly in place of “hall-e-luj-ah”, and I was delighted to praise Him with this now wonderful song of mine!
But God wasn’t done with me yet. Shortly afterwards, this song was followed by What A God What A God (SEU Worship). This song has some good worship verses. However, some of it I couldn’t sing because I felt that I would be lying to God. The verse I was stuck with goes like this:
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Now I knew I couldn’t tell the King of the Universe I am forever satisfied. That would be a boldfaced lie! But suddenly I find myself singing:
Your love has changed my life, forever sanctified!
WOW! I could sing that. And it was true! Thank you Jesus! You even help me worship You!
Making The Song More Personal
Ever find yourself zoning out at church because the song isn’t personal enough? For me, a song has much more impact if when I sing it, I refer to God as YOU or Jesus and it relates to ME. Christ is not Jesus’ last name. It’s His Title. His position. I’m far closer to those I call by first name then those I call “Dr.” or “President.” This is why I love singing to “Jesus”, not “Christ”, nor “Messiah,” etc. But maybe that’s just me.
So to make it more real, more personal and more upfront, I’ll sing different words that are more intimate. Something that will keep me in tune with what is being sung and who I’m singing to.
Songs that proclaim “The Lord is great” or “He is worthy” or “The King and Savior has come” suddenly become “You are great! “You are worthy!” “You are my savior.” And songs that refer to a title like “Christ” or “Messiah” I change to Jesus or my Lord Jesus.
Dubbing over the Song Entirely with Your Praises and Prayers
So far, I’ve discussed songs where it’s just a few words that can be changed. But what about when the song is truly atrocious?
Yes, you can still delight yourself in the Lord even then. If you’re at church, chances are the music is loud and no one hears you anyway. Take full advantage of the noise cover or go to the back of the church to sing in more privacy! Use the time to dub in your own words, or make a heartfelt praise to Jesus.
I’ve sung or talked over many a bad song. At times, I use this as an opportunity to pray for someone else I see in the pews. This keeps me grounded in the moment, and always abiding and delighting in our God.
So don’t let the song or music quality get in your way. Now you have the tools to rejoice in Jesus regardless.
Other Christian-SOS Blogs
Songs
- You Are Worthy (Sean Curran)
- Running Back To You (Seph Schlueter)