Prestonwood Worship ‘Songs Of The People’

Written by: Laura Chambers (9/21/2016)

Over the years, worship and its accepted styles have always been a hotly debated topic in the church. Do you sing only the psalms, or make up new songs? Is the rhythm of a drumbeat evocative of the devil and sure to lead worshippers into perdition, or a beautiful reminder of God’s heart for us? Is the addition of a new arrangement or chorus sacrilege or the continuation of a legacy? Where is the fine line between teaching the sacred doctrinal truths of Scripture and focusing on God’s free, unconditional love?

Whatever your beliefs about these and other topics, there is one fact that cannot be denied; when God’s people come together to lift their voices in praise, it is a sound like no other on Earth. Prestonwood Worship (the worship ministry of Prestonwood Baptist Church)’s latest project, Songs of the People takes this idea to heart; not only are there over 500 worshippers singing on the stage, but even the songs themselves are the product of twelve different writers. From these varied voices comes a harmony of praise that glorifies God’s name and transcends church walls.

The first four songs of this album are all about songs and singing; whether that order was by their design or just the way it turned out, I don’t know. “Songs Of The People” pictures our experiences as transforming into a harmonious anthem when we lift our voices to God. It is impossible to squelch the sound of our unified praise. Though the third verse seems like they’re singing a setlist; all but the last line are the names of (in some cases, multiple) songs. “Your Love Is Our Favorite Song” kicks it up a notch with joyful appreciation for the love, grace and loyalty of God. I found the song stirring and hopeful, and sang along with the chorus in my head by the end. “Still My Soul Sings” moves into a more melancholy mood, yet with convictions no less sure. We can have complete trust in God whatever our desperate surroundings and uncertainties. The bridge brings home the truth that “In every season I’m blessed” – we can find the good in all moments because God has planted it there. “Our Story Our Song” tells of the common testimony believers in Christ share and what it inspires us to do; praise Him continuously throughout the day. Stories teach and songs celebrate; because we have seen His power at work, we can believe His word and use both to bring him glory. What can divert our pathway or rattle our confidence? Absolutely nothing.

“Here In The Holy” peacefully basks in the presence of God, listing all those circumstances which bring us there and His solution for them. It‘s the perfect kind of song to draw out as long as the Spirit moves us to worship. The track is 7 minutes exactly, but I could easily see it being stretched out to 11 or longer if the worship leader took a moment to pray in the middle of it. From appreciation of holiness to surrender, as “You Can Have It All” remembers the reasons God is deserving of our all. The track begins with the melody of “I Surrender All” by strings to set a reverent tone for the rest of the song, then borrows some of the lyrics at the end as well. “Grace So Marvelous” wishes to continuously find it impossible to describe the grace God has extended to us. Yet that shouldn’t stop us from trying, or from having His love at the forefront of our thoughts. This hymn is sure to inspire thankfulness in those who listen. “Waves Of Grace” remains mindful of the way that Jesus has cleansed our sin away. He is more than sufficient to erase our doubts and flaws. He continues to pursue us despite our attempts to escape Him. I especially love the bridge, in which it’s boldly asserted that Christ’s blood can wash away every new blemish of doubt and despair.

“You Cover Me” presents Jesus as a place of safety and refuge in the darkness and danger. He is always listening for our cries and remains with us at all times. It’s a message which becomes all the more poignant given the troubled times we are living in. I recognize the words from Psalm 91 that I’ve loved since hearing them in A Christmas Carol (the one with Alistair Sim). “We Turn Our Eyes” asks God, after a time of unfaithfulness on our parts, to forgive us and restore our standing with Him again. Once we focus on Jesus, we can cease all thought of ourselves and consider instead His glory. He brings us hope and new blessings daily. Rather than being quick to forget God’s past intervention in light of our pain, “See You Again” becomes the passionate soundtrack for recalling all the miracles He has performed, believing that He can and will continue to astound us. Whether redeeming our tragic stories or healing what appears to be hopelessly broken, His presence provides us with hope and peace. “Let The Redeemed” makes perhaps the best use of the choir from an artistic point of view, as responses to the charge of the lead singers and the voice of the chorus. Calling upon those who have been saved to testify to God’s righteousness and majesty, this song soars like a dove to the rafters. It ends with a passage of Scripture being read, as if to sum up the message of the song and the album. “We Are Alive” concludes by bolstering our confidence in Christ. As children of God redeemed by grace, we can stand firm even as shadows fall. Nobody can overcome His kingdom; in Him, we find courage to live. Truly worth celebrating.

We must not let our differences overshadow our common hope in the Lord. By bringing Him our worship and praise, we combine our voices and our talents to make beautiful music that brings our stories and His glory to light. Songs of the People lifts our eyes and songs to heaven, where God dwells in all His glory, to make His majesty ever shine before us.

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