Music Review: Saints of Zion

Saints of Zion. Jeff Lippencott & R.C. Sproul. 2017. Ligonier. 67 minutes. [Source: Gift]

This is the second hymn collection Ligonier has done. The first was Glory to the Holy One. I loved, loved, loved it. The second album is similar in style to the first. So if you loved the first album, don't hesitate to buy the second. The music is beautiful--classical, orchestral. Jeff Lippencott is wonderful. Sproul does a good job as well in writing the lyrics.

Saints of Zion is a collection of fifteen new hymns for the church. Most of the lyrics are linked closely with specific Scripture texts. I've included those Scripture texts in parenthesis. I would say that "How Beautiful Your Songs of Praise" and "Alleluia" are inspired by the book of Psalms as a whole. These selections are wonderful. Here we have some of my absolute favorite Scriptures.

1. Saints of Zion (Hebrews 11)
2. Create, O God, A Pure, Clean Heart (Psalm 51)
3. Grace of God (Ephesians 2)
4. Psalm of the Shepherd (Psalm 23)
5. Veni Domine (Luke 2)
6. Magnificat (Luke 1)
7. How Beautiful Your Songs of Praise 
8. Ascension (Acts 1:8-11)
9. The Word Made Flesh  (based on the Ligonier Statement on Christology)
10. Ways of the Righteous (Psalm 1)
11. Hear Me, Lord (Psalm 30)
12. He Works His Will (Ephesians 1)
13. Where He Is Now (John 14)
14. The New Jerusalem (Revelation 21)
15. Alleluia 

I hope you'll consider including "Veni Domine," "Magnificat," and "The Word Made Flesh" on your Christmas playlists. 

The album makes for easy listening. I'll be honest. The album makes for great napping. I don't mean that in an offensive way. I mean that in the best possible way. 

• Few things are as theological as sleep. Show me your sleep pattern and I’ll show you your theology, because we all preach a sermon in and by our sleep. ~ David Murray
• Question: Which of the Ten Commandments can you keep in your sleep? Answer: The sixth commandment, because, as the following statistics demonstrate, getting enough sleep is an act of loving your neighbor. ~ David Murray
• If our schools substituted sleepology for algebra, our society would be much healthier, safer, and brighter. Despite sleep taking up a quarter to a third of our lives and having such an influence on the remainder, most of us leave school in total ignorance of the why and the how of sleep. ~ David Murray
• We need to ask God to help us see this as a life priority, as a matter of obedience, and as a way of pleasing our Father and Creator. Let’s plead with him to give us the strength to do what we know we must do. ~ David Murray
• By sleeping, we are relinquishing control and reminding ourselves—at least for a few hours—that God actually doesn’t need us. When we close our eyes each night, we are saying, “I don’t run the world, or the church, or even my own little life.” ~ David Murray
• When and how long we sleep makes a huge statement about who we are and what we believe about ourselves and God. ~ David Murray
• Ultimately, sleep, like everything else, should lead us to the gospel and the Savior. First, it prompts us to think about death, that we shall all close our eyes as in sleep, and wake up in another world (1 Thess. 4:14). It also teaches about our Savior. The fact that Jesus slept (Mark 4:38) is as profound as “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). It reminds us of Christ’s full humanity, that the Son of God became so frail, so weak, so human that he needed to sleep. What humility! What love! What an example! What a comfort! What a sleeping pill! It illustrates salvation. How much are we doing when we sleep? Nothing! That’s why Jesus used rest as an illustration of his salvation. “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). It points us toward heaven. There remains a rest for the people of God (Heb. 4:9). That doesn’t mean heaven is going to be one long lie-in. It means it will be a place of renewal, refreshment, comfort, and perfect peace.  ~ David Murray

The album isn't just for nap time however. Because of the style of the album, you'll probably need to read and review the lyrics while listening to the album a couple of times so you can actually hear what they're singing.

From "Create, O God, A Pure, Clean Heart"

In sin I was first made born.
In evil first conceived.
My broken heart can only mourn
'till pardon I receive.
Create, O God, a pure, clean heart
And make my spirit new.
Please let your wrath from me depart
Remove my sin from view. 

From "How Beautiful Your Songs of Praise"

In the stillness of my heart
I will wait for You.
I will speak Your name
With my voice I will proclaim.
How beautiful Your songs of praise
How true and steadfast are Your ways
Let all that is within me rise and sing.
How beautiful Your holy name.
How marvelous Your saving grace
That You would call me as Your own
How beautiful. 

From "He Works His Will"

He works His Will, His counsel true
Salvation we obtain.
He soon will make all things anew
For our eternal gain.
Through the Spirit we are sealed
Our God we soon shall see.
From sin and death we're surely healed
With Him we'll ever be.

From "Where He Is Now"

The Father's house has ample room
He'd tell us if it were not true.
His bride hears from her sacred groom
Truth that stands for me and you.
Where He is now, we will be
Called away from earthly strife.
His glory we shall surely see
Through His gift, eternal life.
Gone away to prepare a place
Our spirits still in silence groan.
The promise certain by His grace
Soon we'll see our heavenly home. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible