Behind the Praise - August 30, 2009

"He Reigns Forever"

Click here for one version of the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFI1b48QP0I

"We're Marching to Zion"
Isaac Watts wrote this song because of the controversy between singing of Psalms and the singing of hymns, the church decided to sing Psalms at the beginning of their service and then after the preaching, they would sing hymns. Many people who were still against the hymns would get up and leave the service at this time. Isaac Watts wrote the hymn to refute this practice of people walking out during the hymn singing. Just reads the words especially stanza two.

Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God,
But children of the heavenly King,
but children of the heavenly King,
May speak their joys abroad,
may speak their joys abroad.

Click here to hear the song
www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh733.sht

Click here to worship along on the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2xJsO_Xzns

"Hosanna"

Paul Baloche wrote this with Brenton Brown to be sung on Palm Sunday. Contemplating that sense of expectancy led Paul to start with the phrase “Praise is rising”. Paul said there is that same sense of expectancy when God’s people gather to worship that was felt along the road in Jerusalem when the people crowded the streets to get a glimpse of Jesus.
Ever wonder what Hosanna really means? Hosanna is Hebrew for "Save now" from Psalm 118. It is an intensified imperative, a cry, addressed to God, particularly used in the Feast of Tabernacles, when prayers for rain were offered. In the New Testament the crowd shouted it when Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. It is used as an exclamation in Christian worship.

Click here to listen to Paul share how he wrote the song:
www.theheartofworship.org/stories.shtml

Click here to worship along with Paul Baloche
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TIg2QOzPpg

or here
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BZoDH2H1Ls

“At the Cross” Hillsong music ministry

Here’s another worship song written by Darlene Zschech and Reuben Morgan. Here’s a short portion of her testimony and how God delivered her from bulimia.

Darlene's no stranger to troubled teen years. Outwardly her childhood seemed glamorous—she was singing and dancing on a weekly children's television show in Australia, Happy Go 'Round, at the age of 10. But when she was 13, her parents divorced. The pressures of television, combined with the emotional turmoil of her parents' divorce and the custody battle that ensued, took their toll. By age 14, bulimia reared its ugly head. But in 1980, God intervened: Darlene's father rededicated his life to Christ and started taking Darlene to church, where she asked Jesus into her life at 15. While there she also met Mark, her husband of 16 years, with whom she shared faith in Christ. Darlene and Mark dated for a year and a half and married one week after she turned 19.

Click here to learn more about Darlene:
www.darlenezschech.com/

Click here to worship along with the Hillsongs music ministry:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRjXBbtbEpM

Click here to worship along in Spanish with the Hillsong music ministry:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l8_5WXEpF0

“Let the Church Rise"

Jonathan Stockstill is the worship leader for Bethany World Prayer Center in Baton Rouge, La. Also a songwriter, he has written or co-written over 50 songs for the body of Christ. Stockstill has played the piano and guitar for over 20 years. Born in 1981, he started at 4 years old and eventually received formal training in classical and jazz piano. Son of Bethany's current pastor Larry Stockstill and grandson of church founder Roy Stockstill, Jonathan has attended Bethany his entire life.Jonathan has a heart to train and equip worship leaders and further believes this is the generation that will usher in the return of Jesus. His music emphasizes both the necessity for holiness before God but also the urgency of speaking out for Jesus. He and his wife Angie have been married since February 2005 and together they are a fresh voice for God's kingdom.

Click here for Jonathon Stockstill's myspace:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=282501685

Click here to worship along on the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=32VJeiDwhJE