The album version of this track isn’t available on YouTube (not in the UK, at least) so I’m having to post a live version taken from a festival, which is somewhat at odds with what the song means for me, as I’ll go on to explain.
Anyway, the band is Selfmindead and the song is called ‘Always’.
The advantage with worship that is centred around who God is and what He’s done is that it’s always suitable for congregational singing. It doesn’t matter how I’m feeling, what is true about God remains true. Sometimes, however, I need worship that is a bit more situational, a bit more personal. Sometimes I like to withdraw and spend some time thinking about what’s going on between me and God, right here and right now, in a private setting, and express that through worship.
This song, ‘Always’, is one of my go-to songs when I’m wanting to let God know that, when it comes down to it, all I really want is to be in His presence. This song is about how just being with God is enough to shift my perspective and calm my fears. It’s strange to see this song being performed live, complete with crowd-surfers and audience participation, because for me this track is about a very personal experience.
It’s built on a metaphor of being in a garden with God. The line ‘Your garden is beautiful. All I want is to be here with You’ is one that my soul can’t help but say ‘Amen’ to every time I hear it.
If you’ve listened to the track then you may feel that the gentle, pastoral lyrics are incongruous with the aggressive, heavy style of music. I do like this style, but it’s also worth noting that music that sounds angry isn’t always being angry. In this case, it’s almost as if the music provides a cathartic way of getting through the chaos and confusion of life to the soul-affirming peace and calm that comes from finding yourself in the presence of the Living God. This is heavy music that gives me a light heart.
If you can’t make out the lyrics (I understand if you can’t…) then you can find them on-line. They lack the theological sophistication of my previous picks, but in terms of putting words into my mouth about just how much I need to be with God, and how desperate I am to be in His presence, they more than do the job.
Your face gives me comfort,
Your arms give me rest,
Your word is my foundation,
Your name is alive.
Yes, everyone should have a song that helps them just be with God.
Top-notch, James.