Question Regarding Lyrics: On My Lips

[pian0dude]

Hi there,

I am one of those worship leaders that are always looking for a new and refreshing song to share with my church. A while ago, I got "I Am Free" by Ross Parsley and New Life Worship. On of the songs "musically" that I really connected with was "On My Lips".

I have been finding that with certain groups that put out worship albums, the lyrics are somewhat abstract in nature and often times I find myself asking "what does this mean actually" or "why would these lyrics be written to convey this message?".

The lyric in question about this song is:

"Every word You've spoken ... is watching over me"

I have not been able to figure out what exactly is being conveyed here. Some may say that words can't watch over someone.. because they are just words. Someone else may say .. that it is referring to the promises of God made to his people .. "watch" over us, meaning they are part of who we are in Christ and our daily life.

However, I struggle with lyrics such as this because if I'm wondering these things as the worship leader... I'd imagine that my congregation would wonder the same things.

Am I just going crazy here or does my question make some type of sense?

Thanks,
B

[iamanoffering]

This is just from a quick search so by no means is this the definitive answer, but...

I couldn't think of (or find) a specific Scripture reference that refers to God's Words spoken as "watching over" someone. But, if you apply John 1:1 and the concept of the Trinity to this line, it makes a little more sense. John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." Then further in 14 "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."

The Word of God is literally Jesus Christ according to this passage. A strange concept that I don't quite understand, but there it is. So, Jesus, being God and part of the Trinity who watches over us, is the Word - therefore God's Word watches over us.

The second idea that I came across doesn't apply specifically to GOD's Word, but I think the concept could possibly work. It was found in Proverbs 6 where Solomon was urging his son to keep his mother and father's commandments. He says,


My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life,

I'm not sure if it's completely correct interpretation to apply that to God's Word spoken in our life, but I think you could. The end of those thoughts are very similar to Psalm 119's "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Does that help?

[pian0dude]

I guess my issue with this song is I really want to do it with our church, however, I'm somewhat concerned that people may question that one lyric as to what it means.

It's often a bummer when someone writes a moving song like this but a few words or the way in which something is worded has to be "analyzed" as to what the intended meaning is.

Ah well... if anyone else has other thoughts on this, I'd be interested in hearing. Thanks "iamanoffering" for your insights/ideas. Much appreciated.

-B

[iamanoffering]

Well, you could skip it and then not worry about anybody wondering what the line means. Or you could take 2-3 minutes to teach what it might mean from Scripture (either what I shared, or whatever you might find on your own.) I often find lines that don't SEEM to make sense (often times in hymns) but if you research them a little and they can be appropriately explained easily to the congregation, then you could use them.

However, if you find that you have to explain the line every time you sing the song (because of new people coming, or you haven't done the song for awhile) then it might be wise to avoid it.

[nathan k]

Okay, for songs like that, where the song really kicks, but there's a word that stumbles your brain a little ... what do you guys think about putting in a more suitable word which fits in with [I]your[I] congregation or worship set better? I know it probly plays a bit with the copywrite info, but it might make the dynamics of the lyrics better for the worship set/setting.

[iamanoffering]

Actually - it doesn't just play with the copyright info - it's illegal to change words without the author's permission. I would highly recommend staying away from doing anything like that.

[fmckinnon]

Hey Gang ...
I looked this song up @ CCLI and find it to be co-written by Darren Morehouse and Ross Parsley. I'll be seeing Ross in a couple of weeks @ the National Worship Leader's Conference, and hopefully can ask him then.

In the meantime, I've going to invite Darren and Ross to stop by here and discuss the song via a contact I have @ Integrity ... we'll see if it happens. Pray for favor.

[iamanoffering]

Aha!

Now that would be the ideal solution. Very cool.

[skyescraper]

Actually - it doesn't just play with the copyright info - it's illegal to change words without the author's permission. I would highly recommend staying away from doing anything like that.

Are you sure about that? My impression is that you can sing anything you want; it's when you are recording that you need to obtain permission for use, changes, etc.

[iamanoffering]

I very easily could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that it's illegal both in "performance" and in recording.

[dmorehouse]

Hello, Someone mentioned they saw this discussion so I thought I might be able to help. As a songwriter it is unfulfilling for me to throw out random ideas to fill a lyrical void. When Ross and I wrote this song, the line "every word you've spoken is watching over me" is intended to convey the idea that God doesn't just speak promises over us but he is active in the fulfilling them. Our reference for this is Jerimiah 1:12 in the NIV. In the midst of God's promises there is this line: "The LORD said to me, "You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled."(NIV). Other translations use the word "hasten". Either way we were trying to convey the idea that God is active in the fulfillment of his promises.....peace...

DM

[pian0dude]

Hi Darren. Thank you for your post. I guess I'm in the right place on this board. I got a reply from one of the writers of the song!?! Crazy! Thanks to everyone else for their feedback as well.

God Bless! I really like that album by the way!

-B

[fmckinnon]

Darren,
Awesome - I took 2 of Ross's classes last week, but never had a chance to hookup with him ... it's awesome to come back and see that you've visited and left a post. Thanks for your contribution of wonderful songs for the Kingdom, and for taking the time to visit and let us hear from you.

For the Kingdom,
Fred

[bobbygilles]

What a great line!