I thought I would share a little on writing original worship music from scripture.
I love God’s Word. It is so inspiring. Especially the Psalms. I can hardly read the Psalms without composing a song. Let’s look together at Psalm 70:
“Hasten, O God, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me. May those who seek my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” turn back because of their shame. But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, ”Let God be exalted!” Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.”
After reading it through a few times, I begin to look for key phrases that really speak to me personally: “Save me. Help me. May all who seek You rejoice. May those who love Your salvation always say, “Let God be exalted!” Come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.”
Then I pick up my guitar and capo up to a comfortable place and just sing those phrases extemporaneously. As I do, they almost seem to organize themselves:
Save me, help me, come quickly to me, O God. Help me, deliver me, O LORD, do not delay.
May all who seek You rejoice… May all who seek You rejoice…
Let God be exalted! Let God alone be praised! Let those who would destroy me be surely put to shame!
O Lord you are my help, I’m calling on Your Name. Be exalted, O God, I pray.
There, I can hear the melody writing itself. Obviously, I’ve taken some poetic liberties with the scripture. But the heart of the Psalm remains.
I hope this helps you as you strive to write original worship songs. For me, there’s no greater source of inspiration than God’s Holy Word.
In Christ,
Scott Jasmin
