Preparing For January 24th: “Songs Of Joy”

Almost a year ago @ThadCockrell and I got together for our weekly songwriting session, and after talking about several song ideas, this one came like a lightning bolt. It was the easiest song we’ve written together, and came from a desire to write a song dealing with the sermon series we were in at that time, based in Philippians and containing the tagline “Unreasonable Joy”. This song actually originated from two sections of scripture, Psalm 68:5 and Ezekiel 11:19-21.

“… where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy.” Psalm 68:5b

“‘And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the Lord God.’”?Ezekiel 11:19-21

As we prepare for the upcoming Sunday, let’s make the lyrics our prayer. The goal in writing this was not only to sing about songs of joy, but to actually sing sounds of joy. This Sunday, as we sing this song, realize that we are singing the reality God brings about through His Son. This should produce joy in our hearts, and be a fist-pumping, smiling, dancing, hand-raising, clapping time of praise. Read and believe. Sing and believe.

Songs Of Joy
Words and Music by @ThadCockrell and @MattStevensNC
You shall give us one heart
And we will be your people
And you will be our God
You shall give us vision
And you will heal this city
And you will be our God
Father, you will be our God

Where the morning fades
You call forth songs of endless praise
You call for us to seek your face
Above all the noise
You call forth Songs of Joy
Songs of Joy
Songs of Joy
Songs of Joy

You are the Redeemer
And we are your beloved
And you will be our God
You shall go before us
And you will give us new songs
And you will be our God
Father, you will be our God

Where the morning fades
You call forth songs of endless praise
You call for us to seek your face
Above all the noise
You call forth Songs of Joy
Songs of Joy
Songs of Joy
Songs of Joy

Songs of Joy – You shall give us one heart
Songs of Joy – And we will be you people
Songs of Joy – You shall give us vision
Songs of Joy – And you will heal this city
Songs of Joy – You are the Redeemer
Songs of Joy – And we are your beloved
Songs of Joy – You shall go before us
Songs of Joy – And you will give us new songs
Songs of Joy – And you will give us new songs