Blended Music Before “Blending” Was Cool-Part 4
Blended Music Before “Blending” Was Cool-Part 4
With the introduction, given in
yesterday’s discussion, I want to explain why gospel hymns like “What a Wonderful Savior” by E.A. Hoffman
are appropriate for 21st century public worship. Each verse of this song is a clear confession
of faith taken from the fundamental doctrines of the Bible.
Christ has
for sin atonement made,
We are
redeemed: the price is paid.
I praise Him
for the cleansing blood-
That
reconciled my soul to God.
He cleansed
my heart from all its sin-
And now He
reigns and rules there-in.
He gives me
overcoming power-
And triumph
in each trying hour!
To him I’ve
given all my heart.
The world
shall never share a part.
Each thought
of each line is followed by the corporate (choral) response: “What a wonderful Savior!” Each complete verse is then followed by the
strong chorus:
What a
wonderful Savior is Jesus, my Jesus!
What a
wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord!
This gospel
hymn has the best of everything. It
includes:
Atonement
Redemption
Cleansing
by the efficacious blood of Christ
Reconciliation
Cleansing
from all sin
Christ
reigning in the believer’s heart
Christ’s
overcoming power given to believers
Triumphant
Christian living
A
life sold out to Christ
Freedom
from the power of this world
This gospel hymn also is loaded with
expressions of repeated praise to our wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. This song is a classic example
of many songs that may be found in any standard Hymnal. Although the musical vehicle is simple
harmonically and rhythmically, it is a proper vehicle to support this mighty
lyric gospel hymn. Next Sunday give
this gospel hymn a try in Sunday morning
worship. The fundamental understanding
of the Bible doctrines imbedded in this song will help you in your presentation
of this wonderful song to your congregation.
P.S. note the importance and credence that punctuation gives to this
lyric poetry.
Thought For the day-Blending
Music is an
aid to memory. This song contains ten
times the theological thoughts that some “one thought” choruses contain.
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