It’s the plight of all songwriters.
We want our songs to be known, sung, and loved by the world. But rarely do they move past our own ears or the ears of our dogs.
The truth is, some songs come and go. Some songs are “cool” today but tomorrow are forgotten.
There’s Nothing New Under the Sun
If you want to write worship songs that outlast you, you can’t strive for what’s popular. Rather than aiming for “cool”, strive for timeless.
You need to write eternal truth. Don’t try to say new things. Don’t search the deep recesses of your mind for the latest charismatic symbol.
Write God’s Word. Write timeless truth in a timely way.
It frustrates me when I hear preachers and songwriters attempt to be new, cutting edge, and different. They end up being completely irrelevant and unfaithful to Scripture.
When you’re gone and a new generation arises, will what you have to say still be relevant?
Feel It
How do you strive for “timeless” in your worship songwriting?
Feel the truth of God in the depths of your being. Let it shake you to your core.
Keep your heart close to God’s Word.
It’s not enough to simply read Scripture, understand it with your mind, and add a few phrases to your songs.
Your heart needs to rejoice in it. Your eyes need to well up with tears when you hear it. Your spirit needs to leap within you when you grasp it.
I’m convinced that writing great songs isn’t just about being accurate. It’s about feeling.
The worship songs that I love were written from a burning heart. I can tell. You can tell when the writer is trying to hit the top 40 and when he is on his face before God.
This may just be the missing ingredient in your worship songs.
Kick the Crutches
Your song can’t depend on your voice. It can’t depend on a killer band or a great arrangement.
A great song is a great song by itself.
Write a song that your Mom can worship to. If you kick the crutches out from under the song, is it still standing?
What would you add to this mix? How do you write timeless worship songs? I would really appreciate a comment!
Good stuff. Word of God IN , word of God OUT
Yes!
Awesome!
Write from experience!! You can really relate to a song when you know what you are writing about.
Great point, Sharon. You can’t take anyone where you don’t go yourself.
I’d love to be able to put music to a few songs i wrote, i only got the lyrics and the melody in my head. Here’s one you can feel free to use as you wish:
fill me up i’m an empty cup
clean my heart and stitch it up
I want to bring glory to your name
sing out loud without any shame
take this life and rasie it high
give me your love i cant deny
i want to bring glory to your name
pray out loud without any shame
so bless me with my daily bread
throw down the crown on my head
streatch my arms and i reach out
as your embrace removes all doubt
I am yours
you are mine
fell in love
with a love divine
i am yours
you are mine
fell in love
and im gonna let it shine
fill me up i’m an empty cup
clean my heart and stitch it up
i want to bring glory to your name
sing out loud without any shame
i am yours
your are mine
fell in love
with a love so divine
i am yours
and you are mine
fell in love
till the end of time
Congregational melody, (easy to sing) Shorter is easier to learn/memorize. Rhyming and poetic techniques (Austin Lovlace has a great book on this) And, words that are congregational, and scripture based.