(Had problems with my computer off and on today so I’m just now posting this — kinda late to comment on this, but I’m still gonna do it!)
So I saw the last five minutes of “Idol Gives Back” last night, the whole American Idol celebrity telethon they do each year now. I mean, I literally only saw the last five minutes. And for the finale, they had all the remaining singers on stage, in white, with a full gospel choir behind them, singing a worship song. An iconic worship song, in certain circles. Certainly in my circles. It’s a biggie called “Shout to the Lord.” Can’t say it’s my favorite, but, still; it’s stirring. It builds. It does its thing, dawg. But I just thought it was interesting. Well, weird, really. Guess I’m an old cynic or something because I have to wonder why American Idol used this song to end the show. Was it an appeal to the demographic they thought most likely to open their pocketbooks? I dunno. It sounded great, but still, I question it. Maybe it’s an issue of sincerity for me. I hate to be the one suggesting that there may be a wee bit of manipulation going on here.
So look at me not suggesting it. At all.
Wait. How weird, again. It’s the results show and they’re starting the show with “Shout to the Lord”! I’m weirded out. Am I in church? Is Joey gonna accost me? ‘Cause that makes me skeered. What is going on, for pity’s sake??
Oh, here’s the lyrics for “Shout to the Lord.” Do they seem American Idol-ly to you?
Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and Majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of your hands,
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.
My Jesus, my Savior, Lord, there is none like You;
All of my days I want to praise the wonders of Your mighty love.
My comfort, my shelter, tower of refuge and strength;
Let every breath, all that I am, never cease to worship You.
Chorus
Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and Majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of your hands,
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and Majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of your hands,
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have…
Nothing compares to the promise I have…
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.
Just wondering, is all.
i didn’t see it but i am in agreement with you…..just sounds too weird. and even stranger is they opened the other show with it. that’s a pretty hard core christian song to play so flippantly. just my opinion anyway
I didn’t watch it, but I saw a clip and my eyes bugged out! Combine that with Dolly week where she was singing about Jesus and the Clark Brothers sang about Jesus and Satan … wow. (Not knocking it or anything, I was just reeeeaaallly surprised).
I enjoyed the performances, but I admit to being skeptical about the reasons behind it.
Don’t have tv so I can’t comment on the possible motivations behind using that song. I’ll just say that God works in mysterious ways and who knows how many people who saw those performances had their hearts touched in ways more than monetarily!
I agree with Sam. Aside from motivation, manipulation, and sincerity of the producers, God’s Spirit can still work in hearts of viewers, and the words of the song are powerful. It would not be the first or last time God used something of questionable intent to get His Word out.
I don’t think it’s questionable intent. They just seem to be putting it out there, matter of fact, neither playing it for irony nor being defiantly smug. It’s kind of refreshing. (Although, as my Ladybug said, it’s like being in upside-down land.)
NF — Yeah, upside-down land. That’s it for me. I’m sure God can use it however he wants, still, it was odd to me. Total disconnect.
This reminds me of Christmas time when, rare as it is becoming any more, people still sing “Joy to the world the Lord has come” and other carols purely out of a cultural celebration of the season. But Jesus said that if His people remain silent even the rocks will cry out to His glory. I was in a public downtown Christmas gathering a number of years ago. You could smell the booze as the crowd sang (some voices slurring the words) “Jesus the Savior is born.” God seems to have a way of having His name lifted up, even if unwittingly. I think it is a part of His grace–reminding people He is always there so that in the back of their minds there will be a connection for a moment when may turn to Him.