I never thought that I would get paid to rap.
But with the last two Revivals, it has been my job to put together a rap for a promotional video. For the “Heat to the Snow” video, I not only had to come up with the lyrics for the rap, but the melody as well. At some point in this songwriting process, a thought dawned on me. If I can write a silly song promoting Revival: Winter Edition, why can’t I write a serious song promoting whole-hearted worship of God?
I wanted to write a song that went along with the theme of Revival: Winter Edition. So, I searched for a Psalm of David that expresses the desire to be a person “After God’s Own Heart.”. In
Great Is Your Steadfast Love
A Prayer of David.
86:1 Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
2 Preserve my life, for I am godly;
save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God.
3 Be gracious to me, O Lord,
for to you do I cry all the day.
4 Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
listen to my plea for grace.
7 In the day of my trouble I call upon you,
for you answer me.
8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,
nor are there any works like yours.
9 All the nations you have made shall come
and worship before you, O Lord,
and shall glorify your name.
10 For you are great and do wondrous things;
you alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
that I may walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name.
12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
and I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your steadfast love toward me;
you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
14 O God, insolent men have risen up against me;
a band of ruthless men seeks my life,
and they do not set you before them.
15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me;
give your strength to your servant,
and save the son of your maidservant.
17 Show me a sign of your favor,
that those who hate me may see and be put to shame
because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me. (ESV)
, David not only praises God for his great power and love, but he also makes this request in verse 11. He says:
“Teach me your way, O LORD,
that I may walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name.”
David asks God for a united heart, and we should be crying out for the same thing. Because there is no one like our God, we should long to love him with our “Whole Heart.”
Good and forgiving
Love so abounding
Who is good like you?
You gladden my soul
My cup overflows
Who brings joy like you?
Teach me, Lord, all of your ways
Unite my heart, all of my days
To fear your name and walk in truth
For my whole heart I give to you
Mighty in power
Awesome in wonder
Who is great like you?
Strong to deliver
You reign forever
There is none like you
Hear my cry, O God
According to your grace
And with my whole heart
I will seek your face
(You can now download a rough recording of this song from our True North iTunes podcast)
Preach it Ben, preach it! :D
I didn’t know you wrote this song. It blesses me so much–I have found myself singing the songs from R: WE all week (well, humming, since I still don’t know the lyrics so well. Although, with your post of them, now I CAN learn them!). Thanks for blessing me and for giving YOUR whole heart to our Maker. You are a rad blessing to ALL of TN :)
I too didn’t know you wrote it! One of my new favorite songs! :]
Such a great song about God!
YES! I have been anxiously wating for this!
yeeeeeeeeee ben, using your talents to glorify God. feeling it!!!!!
You wrote this song?!! No way! I have been singing it all week long (in my head) and I love it! Good job Pastor Ben — this is awesome!
Wow that is so great that you wrote this song and that you are using your musical talent for His glory!
mhmmm!! Such an amazing song!!! Ive been waiting this whole week to see if it would be put on the podcast!!
mmmmmm love this song!!!!
I didn’t see it on the podcast… Is something wrong with my computer or is it actually on there? GREAT SONG BEN!
Bryan! The song is now up!
Wonderful…Loved it!! Thanks for sharing…
Hear my cry, O God
According to your grace
And with my whole heart
I will seek your face…. Loved the song! Found myself singing along during the first play! Sure hope you will sing it the next time the “True North” Band is able to lead in worship (which I hope is soon). Thank you Ben for sharing your song.
YESSSS!!! So excited it is finally up!!!!! Ben you are such a blessing to True North!
Ben YOU ROCK!!!! This song is so awesome and I still can’t believe you wrote that! Great job
I think you have changed my mind about RAP! Love the lyrics and I am actually rapping it. Haha….
wow Ben i didn’t know you wrote this song. I think its great I love the chorus. thanks for sharing.
Thanks for writing us this song to worship God with!
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