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Problematic Verse in Getty hymn

Discussion in 'Music Ministry' started by Bible Thumpin n Gun Totin, Dec 20, 2022.

  1. Bible Thumpin n Gun Totin

    Bible Thumpin n Gun Totin Well-Known Member
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    Hymn Name: Perfect Wisdom of Our God

    I typically don't have a problem with most of the Getty's music. They're one of the very few mostly solid modern Christian music writers. Here's a problematic verse though that my family did not sing in worship service:

    "Oh, grant me wisdom from above
    To pray for peace and cling to love
    And teach me humbly to receive
    The sun and rain of Your sovereignty

    Each strand of sorrow has a place
    Within this tapestry of grace

    So through the trials I choose to say
    “Your perfect will in Your perfect way"


    The idea seems to be that "When I am sorrowful in trials, it's good, and God uses it to make His tapestry of Grace"

    The definition of sorrow is:
    "a feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune suffered by oneself or others."

    Should a Christian give in to feeling deep distress or disappointment in God because they suffered a misfortune? Can God disappoint us? Or are we to follow Job's example of "God gives and God takes away" (Job 1:21)? Even in the midst of trials Christians are called to be joyous and thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). We are never called to be sorrowful for ourselves in times of trials.

    Godly sorrow is sorrow because God's commands are not followed, such as being sorrowful for a people who have not repented. Jesus exemplified this and He is called the Man of sorrows in Isaiah. Ungodly sorrow is sorrow for yourself in the midst of a trial, a self-pity party. This song verse is saying that when we have a pity party in a trial and feel that God disappointed us, God uses it to enlarge His tapestry of grace. Or in other words, when we sin in a trial by feeling disappointed in God and by being distressed (Like Job's wife) grace abounds.

    I really wish Pastors/Elders would give the songs in worship a solid look-over prior to sticking them into congregational worship.
     
  2. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    I understand there may be different ways of viewing that verse, and I do not know the writers intent.

    But I get the idea that our sorrow is not wasted - these are things God uses to develop us. As one example, I think the godly sorrow leading to repentance is applicable.
     
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  3. AustinC

    AustinC Well-Known Member

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    "Each strand of sorrow has a place
    Within this tapestry of grace

    So through the trials I choose to say
    “Your perfect will in Your perfect way""


    This is an acknowledgment that we experience grief. These sorrows come by God's ordination (See Job). This sovereignly ordained sorrow is a grace from God to sanctify us and bring us to deeper faith.

    God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

    I don't see your complaint in these lyrics.
     
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