I wasn’t familiar with Phil Wickham before I downloaded his free release Singalong. I came upon him because I heard a worship leader using one of his songs and wanted to check out the writer. When I went to his site, the album was free so I bit.
When I get a new album I try to give it some attention and listen, at least once, all the way through in order. The way an artist usually intends. I listened to this as I was about to go to sleep one night with headphones and was moved deeply.
First, I’m a sucker for live albums. Second, this is just Phil, his guitar, and an audience that seems to know his songs – another plus for me. Third, the intensity of the worship is profound. He gets at one of things I strive for when I’m leading…you can just see him standing before the Throne of Grace as the leader of a group of worshipers and just imploring them to give more of themselves to the Object of their worship. He’s the host as everyone has gathered for an amazing journey.
This is all on a foundation of great songs. “Beautiful,” “Desire,” and “Divine Romance” are exceptional and have already proven themselves. What struck me on this album was the hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing“:
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above.
And then…
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
seal it for thy courts above.
These lyrics reverberated through me as I listened to Phil and the congregation sing them. That’s good writing. That’s great songwriting.
So, go download your copy of Singalong today…it’s free!!