You’ve got a song in your heart. I know because I do, too. These songs can come out when we reminisce about a past experience, or run into an old friend, or uncover a new challenge.
If it’s a good song, it will help us. God will see to that. But if it’s not, it becomes a hindrance, a soundtrack we can’t turn off, bringing up negative emotions and unhealthy thoughts.
Music can use us. Or we can use music. The songs we listen to today matter not only for today, but also for tomorrow.
While we rarely can choose which new songs will come our way (although we can choose genres, artists, radio stations), among those available, we can choose which ones we’ll listen to over and over.
Here are 3 WAYS TO USE MUSIC to build our faith, using the song “Cornerstone” as a model. It’s a modern hymn (2012, Hillsong) based on an older hymn (1834, “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” by Edward Mote).
[Worship with it here. Also hear why it was written.]
1. TEST THE LYRICS
While some songs appeal to us immediately because we love the tune, we don’t want to embed them in our hearts if the lyrics are bad. Examine the words you’re singing to make sure they are true and God-honoring.
In “Cornerstone,” these verses remind us to depend solely on Christ’s righteousness. Even in our doubts, these are lyrics we can sing to bolster our faith in what Christ has done, not in our own works.
Verse 1
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus’ nameVerse 2
When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
My anchor holds within the veil
2. DO A BIBLE STUDY
Often the writers use a Bible passage as a base text. Look it up in context. But even without specific references, we can study general themes to flood our hearts with God’s truths.
Writers Reuben Morgan, Jonas Myrin, and Eric Liljero likely pulled from Ephesians 2:20 (“Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone”) for their chorus and theme of “Cornerstone.”
Other Biblical references related to this song for study might include: Psalm 118:21-23; Isaiah 28:16-17; Matthew 21:41-43; 1 Corinthians 10:4; Hebrews 11:1; 1 Peter 2:6.
Chorus:
Christ alone Cornerstone
Weak made strong in the Savior’s love
Through the storm He is Lord
Lord of all
3. WORSHIP THROUGH IT
Whether you sing it with others or in the car with your kids or at home alone, use the words as personal worship to God. If you know an instrument, learn the chords so you can play it. Introduce it to your church’s worship team. Download it to your iPod.
When our church sings “Cornerstone” on Sunday mornings, the praise is powerful. Who can’t relate to times of darkness, or the need for more faith, or the profound truth that we stand faultless through Jesus’s righteousness?
Verse 3
When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless stand before the throne
Music touches us in places that words alone cannot. Let’s use those connections wisely to praise our Lord in every way we can. He is something to sing about!
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QUESTION:
What song will you put in your heart this week? What is one of your favorite worship songs? Please share here.
His Eye Is On The Sparrow because I have a need to remember that He sees me.
That’s a beautiful choice, Lori. Thanks for reminding us of that song. His attentiveness to us is definitely a truth that God wants us to hold on to.
Lisa, thank you for sharing this. I hadn’t heard this version. I love it!
I love music based on scripture. Right now my fave is Revelation Song.
I’m glad to introduce it to you then, Jerralea. It’s one of my favorites. As is Revelation Song–I love that one, too. The first time I heard it was at the funeral of a mother that I homeschooled with. It touched me then; touches me still now.
I love worship- corporate worship to be exact. I can sing at home, or in the car and it isn’t the same. Corporate worship is just a time when I am lost in the crowd and I connect with God, and I let the tears come. Somehow they don’t come when I am at home alone singing.
I can’t think of a song off the top of my head, but the song — Blessings by Laura Story has touched my heart the last several years.
Corporate worship is always a special time for me, too, Katie. There’s just something wonderful about being in the presence of other people who are also aware of being in the presence of God. Love it, love it.
And Laura Story’s “Blessings”–oh my. How many people has she ministered to with that song. Amazing.
I love worshipping via music! It just does something for the heart. I appreciate your emphasis on making sure what we’re putting into our hearts and thoughts is sound Scripturally. Two of my favorites are Before the Throne of God Above and I Could Not Do Without Thee. And Beneath the Cross of Jesus. And The Perfect Wisdom from Above. And…..many more. :-)
You sound like one of my friends, Barbara…every song is a favorite. :) But I relate–I think of one song which leads to another and then another and another. It’s such a blessing to live in this era with incredibly easy access to so much great worship music.
mmm … worship, music, praise, adoration a.. link together to offer God just a hint of what is due Him. But some day? There’ll be no limit. We will be undone in His presence.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
“a hint of what is due Him” – you’re so right, Linda. And if just that hint can give us such pleasure, I can’t imagine how fulfilling it will be when we can give Him His full due. “Undone” – a great choice of words.
I love Fanny J. Crosby
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Near The Cross
Blessed Assurance
By my church no longer sings these songs. It’s kind of sad, as their message still courses through my veins. Funny, when I’m working outside, I whistle them and they give me comfort.
All those songs bring up memories for me too, David. That’s the kind of hymns I grew up on. We visited a different church while we were out of town last week, and they sang several of the older ones from my past.