Academic Dean’s Blog

Bryan Ries, a missionary to Africa, gives this short but wonderful annotated collection of spiritual excerpts from lyrics of U2.

He correctly writes:

Now, I know you won’t see U2 performing at the Dove Awards. And you definitely won’t find them on tour with Stephen Curtis Chapman or Third Day. But, if you listen to their songs, you will find spiritual insights, professions of faith and unabashed quotes from Scripture. More importantly, you’ll hear conversations with God (and sometimes from the perspective of God) which express the raw emotions of a believer — joy, wonder, fear, doubt, love, anguish, intrigue, shame and surrender (to mention a few).

Though the band is one of my favorites, I would not use it as my primary music band leading me in worship. The impact of U2 lyrics can not compare with lyrics by Chris Tomlin for instance. Notably also, that Tomlin performs Where The Streets Have No Name on In the Name of Love CD. But when worship is concerned, Tomlin is my pick, not U2. Tomlin uses such beautiful words that cherish our great God! What a delight to my soul!

Here are just few examples of beautiful lyrics from Arriving album released in 2004.

Famous One

You are the Lord
The famous one
Famous one
Great is your name
In all the earth
The heavens declare
You’re glorious, glorious
Great is your fame
Beyond the earth

And for all you’ve done
And yet to do
With every breath
I’m praising you
Desire of nations
And every heart
You alone are God
You alone are God
You Do All Things Well

Mountain maker
Ocean tamer
Glimpses of You
Burn in my eyes
The worship of heaven
Fills up the skies
You made it all
Said, “let there be”
And there was
All that we see
The sound of Your voice
The works of Your hands
You do all things well

Indescribable

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation’s revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

King Of Glory

Lift up your gaze
Be lifted up
Tell everyone
How great the love
The love come down
From heaven’s gate
To kiss the earth
With hope and grace

Who is this King of Glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty

Lift up your hands
Be lifted up
Let the redeemed
Declare the love
We bow down
At heaven’s gate
To kiss the feet
Of hope and grace

There is one God
He is Holy
There is one Lord
Over everything
There is one King
He is Jesus
King of glory
Strong and mighty

Unfailing Love

You have my heart
And I am Yours forever
You are my strength
God of grace and power

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still You make time for me
I can’t understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change
God You remain
The Holy One
My unfailing love
Unfailing love

You are my rock
The one I hold on to
You are my song
And I sing for You

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still You make time for me
I can’t understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love

Danny Mullins wrote in his review of the album for WorshipMusic.com

The lyrics from this collection of songs is outstanding. Not only are they clearly discernible, they are intelligent, thoughtful and worshipful. <…> Musically, there is a nice variety of styles, from the powerful and majestic to the intimate and inviting… even a bit of black gospel in “On Our Side.”