You may wonder why I quote so many song lyrics in my blog posts. I think the main reason is that the writers use powerful poetic imagery to set their personal testimonies to music. I have been a Christian for nearly 66 years and I have experienced most of the situations they write about and I can relate to their feelings and reactions. Even the song writers from the 1700s and 1800s strike a chord with me when I hear or sing those old hymns. Let me give you three examples.
“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.” What a wonderful description of the spiritual rebirth Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about in the third chapter of the Gospel of John. Every one of us who has experienced that rebirth can relate those words to our personal conversion.
“My sin – oh the bliss of this glorious thought – my sin, not in part but the whole is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord oh my soul.” What a wonderful description of the burden of sin being lifted off of our shoulders when we first believe. One of my very good friends refers to it as amnesty. That same song writer, who had lost his wife and child at sea, also wrote, “When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot thou hast taught me to say, ‘It is well, it is well with my soul.’’’ The comfort of God’s presence in the life of a Christian, no matter what we face could not be described better.
“Blessed assurance, Jesus in mine. Oh what a foretaste of glory divine. Heir of salvation; purchase of God; born of His spirit; washed in His blood. This is my story. This is my song. Praising my savior all the day long!” That personal testimony resonates within my heart every time I sing those meaningful words.
Modern gospel and worship songs also reflect the personal experience of the writer to which every believer can relate.
Another reason those lyrics stay with me is because they are heard and not just read. Jesus is quoted several times in the gospels saying, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” Paul wrote, “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” (Romans 10:17) Whenever I want a passage of scripture to really sink in, I read it out loud so I can hear it.