KEEPING
BY JOE PACE
The Song and the Writer
Have you ever met people that are one else can use in theirs. lyrics themselves stand alone in the pages
masters at telling someone else’s Over the years, the songs that I have of the most important book on earth—
story? They seem to give the de- written that have brought with them the the Bible.
tails with such vivid clarity that you can most testimonies have been those into David’s worship, as should yours, left
feel the emotion of the words and can which I poured my own experience. In oil in the atmosphere of time that always
reconstruct a mental picture of the atmo- other words, I lived every line. I felt every acted as a vehicle and conduit for God’s
sphere as if you were at the scene. Some- chorus. I was the song. This writing will presence. The more depth your worship
how though, the people who are masters sometimes require from you a certain lev- songs have—and the more personal, inti-at telling the intimate details of another’s el of vulnerability and honesty that might mate and transparent what you have writ-story find it difficult to give the same po- initially bring you some discomfort. Don’t ten is to you—the more those songs will
resonate with others personally and on a
congregational level.
Whether he was being chased by
Saul, experiencing the birth of child or
being confronted with murder, David
wrote songs. He allowed this ability to
be an outlet of his heart toward God and
a legacy of his life for men. Songwriters
should never take for granted the power
etic expression when it comes to giving forget that an unashamed display before of the words that are written in a song.
account of their own experiences. God in your worship time should bring Yes, the melody and rhythms can be won-As a songwriter, the latter cannot be an unashamed display before Him in the derful. But the music often serves as the
the case. I am often asked, “What does it worship time of others. glue that makes the words stick.
really take to be a good songwriter?” If Just think of the influence you have
writing worship songs is the path that you The Poet King as a songwriter. Know that God has given
are taking, it is important that the songs King David was truly a master at this. you everything you will need for wor-that come from you actually flow out of He wrote songs that had a lasting effect ship—Himself. I encourage you not to
you—out of your experiences, hopes, and left a remarkable legacy. The book settle for a casual, uninvolved, formulaic
dreams, triumphs, defeats and, by all of Psalms is composed of 150 distinct or cliche-driven approach to songwriting.
means, your worship. There is an authen- psalms and some form of heading with Instead, thrust yourself into the song by
ticity that this kind of authorship brings David’s name precedes 73 of them. His allowing the song to become you.
with it—a powerful sincerity that can be songs were born out of his life experi-felt and experienced by listeners which ences—not the recounting of someone Joe Pace is a Grammy and Dove nominated
transforms a song from words into a tool else’s journey through life. This master producer, songwriter, artist and the Director/CEO
that inspires, encourages, liberates and fa- songwriter wrote songs with words that of the Stellar award-winning Colorado Mass Choir.
cilitates worship. offered such depth and comfort that the www.joepace.org
Living the Lines
Writing worship has an even greater
intimate element attached to it because it
involves you—the writer—actually utilizing the song as your own facilitator during the devotional time that you have with
the Father. A great worship song must be
tested in the courts of your own worship
time with God before it will break forth
and truly be a vial of fragrance that some-
WRITE A SONG
that speaks to an experience that your community has faced together.
WRITE A SONG
that is born from the lessons of a deeply personal experience.
