It is almost a tragedy what has happened to Rich Mullins' Awesome God. What is this tragedy of which I speak? The great divorce between verse and chorus that occurred. Together--verse and chorus--this song is theologically impressive. When Rich Mullins wrote the song, I'm guessing he never, ever, ever intended for the chorus to push out the verses and go solo.
When he rolls up His sleeves
He ain't just putting on the ritz
(Our God is an awesome God)
There's thunder in His footsteps
And lightning in His fists
(Our God is an awesome God)
And the Lord wasn't joking
When he kicked 'em out of Eden
It wasn't for no reason
That He shed His blood
His return is very close
And so you better be believing that
Our God is an awesome God
---
And when the sky was starless
In the void of the night
(Our God is an awesome God)
He spoke into the darkness
And created the light
(Our God is an awesome God)
Judgement and wrath
He poured out on Sodom
Mercy and grace
He gave us at the cross
I hope that we have not
Too quickly forgotten that
Our God is an awesome God
Scriptures for the verses: Exodus 19:16, Exodus 20:18, 1 Samuel 2:10, 1 Samuel 7:10, 2 Samuel 22:14-15, Job 26:14, Job 36:30, 32, Job 37:3, 5, 15, Psalm 18:13, Psalm 29:3,7, Psalm 77:17-18, Psalm 93:4, Psalm 97:4, Psalm 135:7, Isaiah 29:6, Isaiah 30:30, Jeremiah 10:13, Jeremiah 25:30, Jeremiah 51:16, Ezekiel 1:4, 13-14, Daniel 10:6, Habakkuk 3:11, Joel 2:11, Joel 3:16, Zechariah 9:14, Revelation 4:5, Revelation 11:19, Revelation 16:18, Revelation 19:6, Matthew 24:27, Matthew 28:3, Luke 17:24, Genesis 3, Genesis 3:23-24, Genesis 3:11-20, Malachi 3:2, Romans 13:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Genesis 1, Genesis 1:1-2, Genesis 1:14-19, Genesis 18:20-33, Genesis 19:1-26, Matthew 26, 27, 28, Luke 22, 23, 24, Mark 14, 15, 16, John 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Exodus 14:10-31, Exodus 15:1-21,
Scriptures for the chorus: Exodus 15:18, 1 Chronicles 16:31, Psalm 9:7, Psalm 47:8, Psalm 93:1, Psalm 96:10, Psalm 97:1, Psalm 99:1, Psalm 146:10, Isaiah 52:7, Revelation 19:6, Exodus 15:11, Exodus 34:10, Deuteronomy 4:34, Deuteronomy 7:21, Deuteronomy 10:17, 21, 2 Samuel 7:23, Nehemiah 1:5, Nehemiah 4:14, Nehemiah 9:32, Job 37:22, Psalm 45:4, Psalm 47:2, Psalm 65:5, Psalm 66:3, 5, Psalm 68:35, Psalm 89:7, Psalm 99:3, Psalm 111:9, Psalm 145:6, Isaiah 64:3, Daniel 9:4, Zephaniah 2:11,
The chorus is easy, super-easy to sing. It is easy to teach. It is easy to memorize. You don't really need song sheets or song books. No one really ever has to mumble through the chorus and go through the motions of singing. The verses are decidedly more difficult. Not impossible, mind you, but require more work and effort. The verses take rehearsal. Especially if you care about getting it just right.
Could the reason churches only sing the chorus be because that is what is printed in songbooks? I know that in my church's songbook we've only got the chorus. Maybe there are songbooks that print the whole song--verses and chorus. Maybe it's an excuse that won't hold up to much scrutiny.
I've admitted that the verses are difficult for congregations to sing. But what excuse does Michael W. Smith have? He's a professional. Some might argue one of the best CCM artists. So when he recorded the song, why did he give us over four minutes of the chorus?! Rich Mullins' original song is only 3 minutes. And it included verses. Could his popularity be one of the reasons the verses continue to be neglected? I offer in one piece of evidence: When I typed in "Awesome God lyrics" these are the lyrics that popped up:
Rich Mullins died in 1997. Admittedly that was a long time ago. There could be one or two generations that have never experienced Mullins music. Scary thought! There could be people who have never heard the verses and don't know that they are missing out.
Is there an easy solution? Probably not. But I think one possible solution might be if congregations joined the church band in singing the refrain (Our God is an Awesome God) and the choruses. But the church band made an effort to SING THE VERSES and leave the song intact.
© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible
1 comment:
This is my favorite song it's helped me push away the devil when I've backslidden and need to push ever forward toward the goal.
Post a Comment