Easter Songs

We sang an awesome song this Easter. It was a confession of our sin and a deep plea for the work of Jesus. The tune was odd. I think it was a minor key. Somehow syncopated, but never so regular as to get it the first try. Weird. The lyrics were vivid and striking.

Forsaking his face for the sculpted things

We have shaped with our evil hands

and in the same lines on another verse…

We distilled our drink from the fangs of snakes

That glide in the fallow dust

With a reply about our worthless, silent golden cows…and where are they now?

His swift and jealous arm has thrown them down.

Love the swift and jealous arm of the Lord. There is no other hope. We can not stand by own own deeds. They kill us. But his ‘thirsty sword is quenched’. For it fell on Jesus. Swift and terrible is the justice of God. Christ died.

But he did not stay dead. He is alive again. Real life. He has tasted the wrath I surely deserve. He has dispatched my sin. Hallelujah!

Below are the lyrics and a way to listen to the song from Sojourn Music.

"Jealous Arm" by Jamie Barnes

Is this the way we repay our God?

Who among us has he not made?

Forsaking his face for the sculpted things

We have shaped with our evil hands

And where are they now?

Our worthless golden cows?

His swift and jealous arm has thrown them down.

Lift up your eyes little ones

Rejoice, chosen sons

For his thirsty sword is quenched

Dispatching all our sin

With his redeeming love, with his redeeming love.

Is this the way we repay our God?

Who among us can he not save?

We distilled our drink from the fangs of snakes

That glide in the fallow dust

And where are they now?

Our silent, golden cows

His anger melted them down

And we drank then till we drowned

Only Christ’s pure blood can flush the poison out.

Listen here

Songs That Really Are New

Many times I get to sing songs that I have never heard before. It’s a bit hard to listen for the tune and pay attention to the words at the same time. A few weeks ago we sang a really new song, written about a year ago for Easter by Nathan Partain.

Nathan is Music Arts Director at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. (I thought he was the son of an old friend of mine, but he steered me straight, he isn’t.) You need to listen to Nathan Partain, and I pray you get to sing some of his songs. You can read his lyrics, comments about his songs, and listen to them by going to this website.

Back to the song…the tune wasn’t that hard, it fit and felt like songs our church sings, and I already knew I liked his songs, so I jumped in full bore….and stopped. The song is about the feast, and those who celebrate with the king. We’re taking communion. I’m in. Stop. I may be here, but I don’t feel like I belong. Point on…

I am one of those, at the table not invited,

And to all here at the feast it’s very plain,

I cannot hide in etiquette or conversation,

But Christ himself sent word to me, and so I came.

How is it that someone who doesn’t know me can write a song and say what is in my heart, or should be? Nathan explains his reasoning behind this song by relating one of the key verses I need in my life.

1 Corinthians 1:26…Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no one may boast before him.

My heart bristles at not being wise by human standards, nor influential, nor of noble birth, but foolish…I readily admit that at feasts my discomfort is real and deep. I may have learned how not to make a fool of myself, but inside, I am so out of place.

Why is it Lord I realize my self poverty before men yet want to claim make believe superiority. And to take it one step closer, how could I come to your table on my own qualifications?

Humbled. Astonished. Thankful—that you sent word to me, and so I came.