Ep. 010: Three Types of Worship Songs for Better Engagement.

Episode 3 in a series.

A Songsheet for this episode is available. Right-click to download.

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OPEN TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
Paul Hilts; adapted by Nick Alexander

I open my heart and I open my mind
To the power of the Holy Spirit
Lord soften my heart, Lord sharpen my mind
Through the power of the Holy Spirit

1. Holy Spirit have Your way with me
I submit to Your authority
Cleanse me of my sin and set me free
Holy Spirit, give me faith and hope and charity
Give me faith and hope and charity

2. Nothing of this world will last forever
You are all I want my only treasure
Bend my will to Yours by any measure
Holy Spirit reconcile our hearts together
Holy Spirit join our hearts together

3. Shine Your light on ev’rything we do
Bring Your truth to all that is untrue
Purify our hearts our minds renew
Holy Spirit come transform us now;
make us like You
Holy Spirit make us more like You

GOD HIMSELF IS WITH US
Gerhardt Tersteegen, 1729; adapted by Nick Alexander

1. God Himself is with us, Let us all adore Him
And with awe bow down before Him
God is here within us, Soul in silence fear Him Humbly, fervently draw near Him
Now His own, Who have known
God in worship lowly, Yield their spirits wholly

2. Thou pervadest all things, Let Thy radiant beauty
Light mine eyes to see my duty
As the tender flowers, eagerly unfold them
To the sunlight calmly hold them
So let me, quietly, in Thy rays imbue me
Let Thy light shine through me

Oh… we love You Lord!
Oh… we love You Lord!

3. Come abide within me, let my soul like Mary
Be Thine earthly sanctuary
Come indwelling Spirit, with transfigured splendor
Love and honor will I render
Now I go, here below, let me bow before Thee
Know Thee and adore Thee

4. Gladly we surrender, Earth’s deceitful treasures
Pride of life and sinful pleasures
Gladly, Lord we offer, Thine to be forever
Soul and life and each endeavor
Thou alone, shalt be known, Lord of all our being
Life’s true way decreeing.
Public Domain

HEAVENLY FATHER, WE APPRECIATE YOU
Author Unknown
Heavenly Father, I appreciate You
Heavenly Father, I appreciate You
I love You, adore You, I bow down before You
Heavenly Father, I appreciate You

Son of God, I magnify You
Son of God, I magnify You
My Saviour, You saved me, a new life You gave me.
Son of God, I magnify You

Holy Spirit, You’re a comfort to me
Holy Spirit, You’re a comfort to me
You lead me, You guide me,
You stay close beside me.
Holy Spirit, You’re a comfort to me

ROCK OF AGES
Augustus Toplady, Thomas Hastings
1. Rock of ages, cleft for me
Let me hide myself in Thee
Let the water and the blood
from Thy wounded side which flowed
Be of sin the double cure
Save from wrath and make me pure.

2. Could my tears forever flow
Could my zeal no languor know
These for sin could not atone
Thou must save, and Thou alone
In my hand no price I bring
Simply to the cross I cling

3. While I draw this fleeting breath
When my eyes shall close in death
When I rise to worlds unknown
And behold Thee on Thy throne
Rock of ages, cleft for me
Let me hide myself in Thee.
Public Domain

QUIET HERE WITH YOU
Mark Godwin, Lynn Geyer
1. Once again as countless times,
You make Your presence known
You and I together, Lord,
before Your Father’s throne
Faith reveals the Truth each time
in simple, silent peace
Bread and wine turn into You,
and bring You into me.

Just quiet here, with You Lord
You bless my weary soul
In the silence of this temple
the same as days of old.
Just quiet here with You Lord
in awed humility
Of all the places You could dwell,
You choose to live in me.

2. Resting in Your Spirit, peaceful deep within
You offer me forgiveness,
and freedom from my sins.
You and I together, we share this servant’s place;
Healing in Your gentle touch,
so thankful for Your grace.
Copyright © 2000 by Contemporary Catholic Music Publishing, BMI and Godwin Music, ASCAP

PSALM 23
Nick Alexander
1. Lord You are my shepherd
In verdant pastures, You give me repose
You lead me by the restful waters
You refresh my soul

2. You spread the table before me
At the sight of my foes
You anoint my head with oil
And my cup, it overflows

You guide me in right paths
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I’ll fear no evil, You are at my side
And I lack nothing

3. All the days of my life on earth
Only goodness and kindness follow me
And I shall dwell in Your house, dearest Lord
For all eternity

*******SHOW NOTES / QUOTES************

Many people sing worship songs, but few engage the song itself while singing it. This episode demonstrates how to best gauge what type of song it is, and how to respond to the song, while singing it.

I spend the episode listing the various aspects of a worship song, and go into detail about three particular tones to look out for:

• The Mastery song (Martha)
• The Mystery song (Jesus)
• and the Mister-“D” song. (“D”= Doctrine). (Mary, sitting at Jesus’ feet).

Mastery Songs are songs which represent Martha; action-oriented decision songs. These songs work best at the end of a service, or a retreat, or an event, where there is a call-to-action, to put your beliefs into practice after the event.

Mystery Songs are songs which represent being with Jesus, songs of pure worship. Eternal rest. Heavenly songs. Worshipping Jesus for Who He is. Also, many songs where the song is taking Jesus’ words verbatim from Scripture.

Mister-“D” songs are songs which represent Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening, actively learning. It also best represents songs of surrender, of letting go of our selves, of repentance. We do not know it all.

From a guitarist’s standpoint, I’ve discovered that Mastery songs work best using E or G-keyed tones, Mystery songs work best using A-keyed tones, and
Mister-“D” songs work best using C or D-keyed tones. These songs do not have to be in those keys, but they can be capo’d or tuned in a way to best demonstrate those keys.

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NEXT WEEK: The Top Ten Songs with the Greatest Increase of Use (for early 2012).

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Prayer Meeting Podcast

With Nick Alexander

Ep. 010: Three Types of Worship Songs for Better Engagement.