Sound Doctrine in Music

I continue to be impressed by the selection of music at our church. There are old songs that are very good and some that are not so good. There are new songs that are almost nonsensical in their content, but I continue to be exposed to new songs (at least new to me) that have solid doctrinal content. This is amazing, considering all the “7-11” theologically shallow drivel that is being passed off as Christian music today. Here are a few excerpts:

 

 

I WILL GLORY IN MY REDEEMER

I will glory in my Redeemer
Whose priceless blood has ransomed me.
Mine was the sin that drove the bitter nails
And hung Him on that judgment tree.

 

I will glory in my Redeemer
Who crushed the power of sin and death.
My only Savior before the holy Judge
The Lamb who is my righteousness.

 

Words and music by Steve & Vikki Cook
© 2000 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)

 

 

MY JESUS FAIR

by Greg Habegger

 

My Jesus fair, was pierced by thorns,
By thorns grown from the fall.
Thus He who gave the curse was torn
To end that curse for all.

 

My Jesus kind, was torn by nails,
By nails of cruel men.
And to His cross, as grace prevailed,
God pinned my wretched sin.

 

My Jesus pure, was crushed by God,
By God, in judgment just.
The Father grieved, yet turned His rod
On Christ, made sin for us.

 

My Jesus strong, shall come to reign,
To reign in majesty -
The Lamb arose, and death is slain,
Lord, come in victory!

 

O love divine, O matchless grace -
That God should die for men!
With joyful grief I lift my praise,
Abhorring all my sin,
Adoring only Him.

 

Technically speaking, God did not actually die on the cross, because it would be impossible for God, the very source of all life, to die. However, the song does not lose any of its impact, because the One who is God died in a perfect, sinless human body, the body that was prepared for Him for that very purpose. 

 

Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:  “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come — In the volume of the book it is written of Me — To do Your will, O God.’” Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:5-10, NKJV).

 

The final one is much older, but it is of the same sound theology as the first two.

 

 

BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD ABOVE

 

Before the throne of God above,
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me...

…Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied,
To look on Him and pardon me.

 

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM…

 

…My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!

 

Original Words by Charitie Lees Bancroft (1841-1892), Alternate Words and Music by Vikki Cook

O Glorious Love!

This past Sunday, the pianist played an offertory which sounded very familiar, but I could not remember what it was at first. Then the words started coming back to me, and for a time, I almost lost it emotionally. That is because it was a song that my late wife Sue really loved, and I had an excellent soloist sing it at her memorial service back in 2001.

 

Before the service, the pastor found out I was having it sung, and he asked me not to have it right before the message, because he knew he would lose it if I did. Obviously, the song meant a great deal to him, as well.

 

Oh, Glorious Love

 

In my darkness Jesus found me;
Touched my eyes and made me see;
Broke sin’s chains that long had bound me;
Gave me life and liberty!

 

Chorus:

Oh, glorious love of Christ my Lord divine,

 That made Him stoop to save a soul like mine.
Through all my days, and then in heaven above,
My song will silence never,
I'll worship Him forever,
And praise Him for His glorious love.

 

Oh, amazing truth to ponder;
He whom angel hosts attend,
Lord of Heaven, God’s Son, what wonder;
He became the sinner’s friend!

 

Words and Music by John W. Peterson, Copyright © 1970 

 

You can hear John W. Peterson's grandson, Scott Strader, sing this song by clicking here.