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Lyrics Study, Word of God Speak

Mercy Me is a contemporary Christian band that has been producing some wonderful songs. “Word of God Speak” is a true pearl.

icon1 Published by maranatha in Christianity on November 1, 2009 |

True prayer, and true worship, is two-way communication. Many treat it as subservience; a duty performed for a beloved Lord, or an act of devotion. These are good reasons, certainly – but God wants more. God wants relationship, and relationship requires communication.

Communication requires both talking and listening. Most folks are pretty good at the talking part. Prayer and worship are used for praising, thanking, requesting, venting, and sometimes questioning. The listening side, however, is what creates communication. The song ‘Word of God Speak’ [Pete Kipley and Bart Millard, copyright 2002 Simpleville Music/Wordspring Music Inc] addresses that oft-neglected side of prayer and worship that produces the most effective and meaningful worship. Here are the lyrics to this Mercy Me song.

I’m finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is, it’s okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say
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Word of God speak, would you flow down like rain
Washing my eyes to see your majesty
To be still and know that You’re in this place
Please let me stay and rest in Your holiness
Word of God, speak.

I’m finding myself in the midst of you
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet I hear Your voice

The idea behind the song is that for communication to take place, one must listen. Listening requires quiet, stillness, and attention. It means that we get the focus off of ourselves, and take the time to hear and feel the communicator – whether that is another person or God. This is the time when God can most effectively touch us, because all our attention is on recognizing Him. Yet this is the part of worship that is so often neglected.

The writer, Bart Millard of Mercy Me, said it this way. “Sometimes,” he said, “our limited vocabulary is almost impossible to use to speak of an infinite God. There are just no words to use. And that was the first line-I think sometimes we say a little too much, and the more we talk, it seems the further we get from the word of God.” He credits Gospel singer Larnelle Harris for the inspiration for this song. He is also awed by the reaction he gets from fans. When the band plays concerts they get the expected cheers and applause for most of their music. When they perform this song, however, they don’t. What they get is a hushed room full of people, singing with him. He says it is magic.

The bible instructs us to be still, and to rest in the Lord. Psalm 37 states we should be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Psalm 46 exhorts us to be still and know that He is the exalted Lord. In chapter 14 of Exodus, God tells the Hebrews that He will fight for them, and that they have only to be still. The idea of resting in the Lord is throughout the bible. Sometimes it is the concept of being at peace or trusting Him. Sometimes, as in chapter 16 of Leviticus when speaking of the holy sabbath, it is the idea of complete worship where no work is done, and the mind is to be focused on Him. Jesus exhorted us in chapter 11 of Matthew to bring our burdens to Him, and He will give us rest.

It is important to talk to God. It is restful and joyous to worship God. But from listening to God, from being still and focusing on God, you gain understanding, peace, and fulfillment – and often direction and instruction. You also gain true relationship. This is the total benefit and worth of prayer and worship. Please, God, let me stay and rest in Your holiness.