to say that the throne room of God not only
standing before the throne of God.
so shallow when they’re not originating from
is a place of reverence, but it’s also a place of
there. I love something the late great Eugene
refuge. I found that out pretty early on that not An example recently would be the song “Is H. Peterson wrote about, he wrote this book
only is music nice on the ears, it’s good for the He Worthy?” by Andrew Peterson. My friend called “Under the Unpredictable Plant” and he
heart. There is something very stabilizing about Chris Tomlin recorded a wonderful version too. talks about the life of Jonah. He says Jonahs
singing Gods truth, especially if you’re in a There is something about that song that has prayer from within the belly of the fish was
turbulent time of life. So, I started writing songs, an essence of the throne room about it. It’s an interesting one, because not one word or
not because I had a passion to create and craft, just so reverent and awe inspiring, and so true one phrase in that is original, it is all from the
I started writing them because I needed to write to scripture. Another example of a song from Psalms. This little phrase from this one, all
them, I needed to talk to God. I guess like so a few years ago would be “Revelation Song” these waves and breakers have swept over me,
many of us do. The way He made us is one by Jennie Riddle, which Kari Jobe and others and this from another one, and it’s like a big
beautiful way we can draw into Him… talk to recorded, and so many people led. And I think mash-up, it’s not even just one or two psalms
Him, and process what is going through our the reason that song took off is because it took joined together it’s a complete mash-up. It’s
hearts and minds… that way is through music. you to the throne, it reminded you that we’re almost as if he’s in this very intense moment,
Playing other peoples songs and starting to not just in a room with some music and some Jonah is in this very intense moment in his life,
write my own songs felt like such an enriching speakers to amplify that music, and the stage and what is exploding out of him with passion
thing to me. So that’s kind of how I got into the and the lovely set up, we’re actually standing is very much the overflow of his heart, and yet
whole thing. before the very throne of God, that’s where every single word and phrase is guided by truth
we’re gathered today. We don’t even have to and by revelation. That for me is my favorite
[WM] You used the phrase “throne room”. get something going, we’re just joining in with way to write. The idea is that you’re chewing
What are some of the phrases that are key something awesome that’s already happening. on scripture, you’re devouring what you can of
to your perspective on worship and can you I love those songs that do that, those songs Gods word, and when you get to songwriting
unpack them for us? that take you into wonder, into grandeur and that is what is going to explode out of you, and
magnificence, make you look up and realize it’s going to explode out of you with passion but
[Matt] From way back I was always using this God is far holier than you could ever wrap your also with purpose. It will be guided by purpose
phrase, “Let the throne set the tone”. It’s really songs around. because it’s infused with truth.
important in our worship that we take a lot of
our cues in the throne room of God. Several [WM] be [WM] Whether it’s in the studio or on the
places in scripture we get a window into that reading this, what are some practical tips and platform on Sunday morning, songs and
place, we see a little sneak peak into what is suggested spiritual practices for learning how arrangements almost always need musicians
happening at the very throne of God. to ‘let the throne set the tone’? to take flight. What suggestions do you have
For
other
songwriters
who’ll
for taking a worship team to a place where ‘the
Take for example Revelation chapters four and [Matt] Number one is whenever possible to five, you can take so many cues from that, start with scripture, and that’s a lesson that it’s creative, it’s colorful, it’s dynamic sound I’m still learning myself. I was writing with an [Matt] For me, the biggest challenge is for
wise and visually, it’s reverent. There are so old friend the other day, Tommy Walker, he’s us to remember that what we do is not of this
many cues you can take from that place, and written some wonderful songs, and we’re in world. Essentially what we’re doing is a spiritual
ultimately, I think we’re not doing that enough the middle of songwriting and he goes, “This activity, more than it is a physical activity. For
these days in our worship. It’s a tough thing is great, but wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had example, you could go to a concert on Saturday
to do actually, it’s a tough thing to summarize, some actual line from scripture here? Maybe night in town and see a band that you love, and
capture, or portray in some way what’s the chorus is a line of scripture?” And it was like everything about that looks so similar to what is
happening in that place, the absolute holiness a little moment, like, “Oh yeah, that would give going to happen on a Sunday morning. You’re
of it all, the absolute wonder and grandeur of it way more substance to it, and that would give facing a band on stage, they’re facing you,
all. But we’ve got to try, because when we don’t integrity to it”. they’re playing electric instruments probably,
try we’re not honoring God and we’re missing
throne sets the tone’?
it’s getting amplified through speakers, and
out on so much of what could be helpful for You may sometimes take a whole line of we’re all joining in together. So, on Sunday
us. I love every time a song comes along that scripture like that, but often you may just morning everything looks the same, the stage
let’s the throne set the tone. Every time a song take the essence of a verse, but it has to be is there, the bands there, and the reason for
comes along and you think it feels very at home in the mix. I think sometimes our songs get that is cultural relevance. We set ourselves up
6
January 2019
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