I'm part of a worship songwriting group, the Resound 12 Song Challenge, which encourages songwriters to write a song each month. This came out of a challenge from March of 2023, whose theme was to write a song based on one of the more unusual Psalms. Psalm 65 jumped out to me, and this was the result. It's a simple song of declaration and an invitation to worship, so it works well as an opening song in a worship set.
Written with congregational singing in mind, Psalm 23 has been moved from an individual perspective to a group one so we can sing the truth of these beautiful and ancient words together.
This song was written in response to the increasing spread of violence and hatred that seems prominent in society. Picking up on theme of oppression, racism, persecution and hatred that seems to be a feature in every news programme, newspaper cover and dominates most of social media. In a world where people are pushed down and made to feel less than - this is a lament to God to move and act.
Andy Biggs, Tom Kelleher, Catharine Revill, Ryan Marklew
Written as part of the 2024 Resound Worship 12 Song Challenge - an upbeat (Funky!) song to celebrate the fullness of life in Christ. Whilst it focuses on joy, the other listed fruits of the spirit are in there too. What better way to remember them all than to have them in a song!
A complete remake of my song based on Psalm 46. It is written in a Contemporary Christian/Christian Rock/80's synth style. Like many Psalms, it contains elements of questioning, challenge and finally, faith. The calm choruses contrast with the wordy, stream-of-thought verses, providing a faithful assurance in our times of doubt and confusion. Note that this recording is in the key of F# while the printed music is in the key of F.
Based on Psalm 27, this is an unapologetic declaration of where we're putting our hope. Written to build faith when facing adversary, this song causes courage to rise as we seek the presence of the Lord and to fix our eyes on Him rather than the trouble around us.
This is a song about pressing in to God and following even when things get tough. Its a song of determination and faith based around 2 Cor 4:7-9 "7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." and Phil 3: 12-14 "12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Inspired by Psalms 23, He leads us to green pastures and streams of water, resting with Him, laying down our burdens before Him, and being picked up by Jesus once again. This is a soft and gentle song, a personal and encouraging song.