Scriptural Songs

Posted on October 12th, 2009 
John W. Peterson, the beloved songwriter, was a master at using Scripture in his songs. When I was a teenager in the church choir, we performed his cantata Jesus Is Coming and sang these words taken from 2 Timothy 3:1: “In the last days perilous times shall come. Men shall be lovers of themselves.” Then he wrote of the grim signs that we would recognize in the last days (vv. 2-7). The steady rhythm of his music helps me remember that list even today.
While some of us have trouble memorizing verses from God’s Word, something in our brain helps us to remember words in songs. If we analyze some of our favorite Christian songs and choruses, we find that they have been derived from Scripture. Thus, we can use the memory boost of music to hide away God-breathed words in our hearts (2 Timothy 3:16). Songs such as “Open the Eyes of My Heart” (Isaiah 6:9-10; Ephesians 1:18) or favorites like “Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart” (Psalm 119:11, 105) are taken from the Bible. With these words hidden in our memory, a song of praise comes quickly to our lips.
No matter what kind of voice you have, when you sing the words of Scripture back to God, it is sweet music to His ears.
— Cindy Hess Kasper