Why Worship Music Is So Repetitive
Okay, this one has been on my mind for awhile.A few weeks ago, I was listening to the song "Healer" by Planetshakers (Hillsong made it popular). If you haven't heard it yet, give it a listen here. I love this version.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS3uzkoF_0c[/embed]Here are the lyrics:You hold my every momentYou calm my raging seasYou walk with me through fireAnd heal all my diseaseI trust in YouI trust in YouI believe You're my HealerI believe You are all I needI believe You're my PortionI believe You're more than enough for meJesus, You're all I needNothing is impossible for YouNothing is impossibleNothing is impossible for YouYou hold my world in Your handsAll we need is found in YouAll we need is found in YouAll we need is found in YouAll we need is found in YouYou catch that bridge? "Nothing is impossible (for You)" repeated three times. Not to mention the number of times they do the bridge in the recording (I think I counted four total?). That's TWELVE times. And in that moment a few weeks ago, at that exact time, it took a good 8 or 9 times before I began to really believe it.So here's why I think worship songs can be repetitive: sometimes we're stubborn. Sometimes we need to hear the same thing, over and over, until it sinks in, until we really get it. Until we feel in the depth of our souls the truth of the song, the truth of the lyrics. Until, ultimately, that truth becomes part of who we are, and God's truth expels the lies we used to believe.And another reason? Our culture is perpetually distracted. We are constantly inundated with input: media, advertising, notifications, distractions. And sometimes it takes several times for a single message to get through, for us to really notice it.So here's my challenge to you: this week, wherever you worship, really listen to the songs. Pay attention to the lyrics. Absorb the truth there. Whether it's hymns or contemporary songs (the Bible mentions both are pleasing to the Lord: "Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts." [Ephesians 5:18b-19 NLT] and "Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts." [Colossians 3:16 NLT]), the songs have something to say to your heart every time you sing them.God is bending down to listen to us (Psalm 116:2); let's praise Him with everything we are!And sing it as many times as it takes for us to believe it.