What's on my iPod
Favourite musicians include the guitarists Jeff Beck (the jazz/rock stuff, not the '60s material), Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, jazzer Joe Pass, one of my favourite albums would be 'Kind of Blue' by trumpet player Miles Davis (John Coltrane was an awesome saxophonist). I also really like the album 'Blue Sun' by jazz trumpet player Mark Isham - he's clearly very talented and versatile as this is the same Mark Isham who has written orchestral film scores for many major Hollywood films as well as being a jazz trumpeter. I also enjoy JS Bach, Baroque, Classical, some so-called chillout club music, world music, the soundtrack to the Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu film 'Babel', Peter Gabriel's soundtrack album 'Passion', the Vangelis soundtrack to the Ridley Scott film '1492'...
But in comparison with Christian worship, I can't honestly say that any of that secular stuff means that much to me...'Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own'. To be lost in wonder, love and praise before God for his awesome grace and mercy as demonstrated at the cross of Christ is an experience nothing else can compare with. I would want to add though that God does all things ultimately for his glory, and rightly so, and that seeking experiences which might be wonderful for us is not the purpose of our existence. The purpose of our existence is to worship God.
Most regularly played on my iPod are some of my favourite Christian hymns and worship songs, including:
When I survey the wondrous cross
Isaac Watts
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
Forbid it Lord that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ my God
All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to His blood
See from His head, His hands, His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet?
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
The Wonderful Cross
There's a modern re-working of the Isaac Watts hymn above, called The Wonderful Cross (link is to a video someone uploaded to Google Video).
From heaven you came (The Servant King)
Graham Kendrick © 1983 Thankyou Music
"...Hands that flung stars into space, To cruel nails surrendered..."
I will offer up my life
Matt Redman © 1994 Kingsway Thankyou Music
"...My words could not tell, not even in part, of the debt of love that is owed by this thankful heart..."
You are my King (amazing love)
Newsboys, Adoration (CD), © 2003 Sparrow Records
"...Amazing love, how can it be, that you my King should die for me..."
Meekness and majesty
Graham Kendrick © 1986 Thankyou Music
"...Meekness and majesty
Manhood and Deity
In perfect harmony
The Man who is God..."
"...Bow down and worship
For this is your God..."
Crown him with many crowns
Matthew Bridges
Crown him with many crowns
the Lamb upon the throne
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
all music but its own
Awake my soul and sing
of him who died for thee
and hail him as thy matchless King
through all eternity
Crown him the Lord of life
who triumphed o'er the grave
and rose victorious in the strife
for those he came to save
His glories now we sing
who died and rose on high
who died eternal life to bring
and lives that death may die
Crown Him the Lord of love
behold His hands and side
Those wounds yet visible above
in beauty glorified
No angel in the sky
can fully bear that sight
But downward bends his burning eye
at mysteries so bright
Crown Him the Lord of years
the Potentate of time
Creator of the rolling spheres
ineffably sublime
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
For thou hast died for me
thy praise shall never, never fail
throughout eternity
To God be the glory
Francis Jane Crosby
To God be the glory, great things He has done
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin
And opened the life gate that all may go in
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son
And give Him the glory, great things He has done
O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood
To every believer the promise of God
The vilest offender who truly believes
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives
Great things He has taught us, great things He has done
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son
But purer and higher and greater will be
Our wonder our transport when Jesus we see
Man of Sorrows (Hallelujah! What a Saviour!)
Philip Bliss
Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude
In my place condemned He stood
Sealed my pardon with His blood
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
Guilty, vile, and helpless we
Spotless Lamb of God was He
"Full atonement!" can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
Lifted up was He to die
"It is finished!" was His cry
Now in Heaven exalted high
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
When He comes our glorious King
All His ransomed home to bring
Then anew this song we'll sing
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
