Three weeks ago, I held another 10 Truths & 2 Lies game on my blog because I was traveling. One of my twelve facts was “I get inspired by rap music.” To my surprise it was one of the most frequently guessed lies.
Only wasn’t a lie. (Even my mom was surprised! Ha!)
Now before you start thinking I’m a little rap gangster when no one’s looking, allow me to do a little post on the rap music that inspires me. Let’s start with the most important part of this:
1. The rap I listen to is still appropriate for your grandmother’s ears.
I guess that depends on your grandmother. But what I mean is . . . I listen to Christian rap. Because it’s all about the lyrics (more on that later.) I have found searching “general music” rap lyrics to be a very dangerous pursuit. 😛 Some of my go-to rappers are Shai Linne, Lecrae, Flame, John Reuben (my childhoooooood!) and NF (thanks to my friend Katie Grace recently introducing me to him. His song Oh Lord brought me to tears. Listen to the song and read the lyrics while listening. That is law.)
2. I was introduced to rap by my theology professor.
Story time!
I never used to listen to rap. Ever. Even being the teenage snowboarder drummer that I was. (Yup. I was that kid.) But then I grew up, went to college, and you want to know who literally forced me to listen to it? (I bet you can guess from the heading title. 😛 )
My theology professor.
Yup. I was introduced to rap by my theology professor. (Tweet this) Didn’t see that coming, did you? Neither did I. We had started almost every session of his “Character of God” class singing a hymn, meditating on the words, stretching our minds to be prepared for studying God’s attributes. And then one class we entered, sat down, the lyrics were on the screen and he pressed play.
Rap music came out of the speakers and, from that moment I never went back. Which leads me to point #3:
3. I get inspired by the lyrics, not necessarily the beat.
The lyrics were deep. Deeper than you can get with the simple two-verses-one-chorus-and-a-bridge worship songs that are breeding like rabbits on the radio. (Don’t get me wrong, I still listen to that more than I do rap. And I like baby bunnies.) But it was like when we compare a hymn to a modern praise song. Today’s modern worship has about 6% of the lyrics an old hymn does, and that’s totally fine. (And that statistic is totally pulled out of my hat, because #sarcasm) It reaches people in a different way than hymns do.
But Christian rap music is like modern-day hymns of today’s worship. (Tweet this) Hear me out. Rap is about the lyrics. The beat and music are the messenger, but the lyrics are the foundation. And it’s beautiful when you take the time to listen.
Some of my favorite lines from rap:
- “It takes courage to worship” – High Priest by Shai Linne
- “We turn our backs on Him, what do you expect Him to do? It’s hard to answer prayers when nobody’s praying to you.” – Oh Lord by NF
- “I’m not trying to save it all I just want to create a ripple. And even if one individual is affected it’s monumental…” – Chapter 1, by John Reuben
Your turn:
So I’m going to do to you what my professor did to me. Same song. Same set-up. The rule to this rap song is that you must read the lyrics as you listen. This song is all about really understanding atonement–both in B.C. Israel, but also paralleled with after Christ’s coming.
You might think I’m weird. You might think the song is weird. And that’s okay. But give it a try, eh?
Presenting, High Priest by Shai Linne. Press play on the video. The lyrics are below. Please read along. 🙂
Verse 1
There’s commotion in my brain, strange is the notion
Words cannot explain my range of emotion
I’m speechless, my flaws exposed and my weakness
Each breath draws me closer to a deep test
It’s month number seven, it’s been ten days
I’ve been awake all night reflecting on my ways
A threat to my peace in this greatest of moments
Because I’m the High Priest and it’s the Day of Atonement
The LORD is so holy and perfect, I’m nervous
I’m floored that He chose me to worship through service
Don’t ask me why the God who crafted the sky
Drafted this weak guy from the clan of Levi
Preceding generation taught me to read the regulations
Deep meditation on decreed revelation
Extreme trepidation breeds hesitation
Yet I must lead and be the representation
My occupation- to intercede for the nation
But indeed my own sins need expiation
The wrath of Jehovah’s grim, sin is no joke to Him
The hope is slim for unholy men coming close to Him
He’s spoken in His Word the proper way of approach to Him
Nadab and Abihu got it wrong and He roasted them
These things I weigh as I sigh
This could either be the greatest day of my life or the day that I die!
So you say that you wanna know the LORD?
Do you really wanna stand before the LORD?
Do you know what it takes to meet the LORD?
God is an all-consuming fire
So you say that you wanna know the LORD
Do you really wanna stand before the LORD?
Do you know what it takes to meet the LORD?
Be careful what you desire
Verse 2
For now, no time to focus on my sinning
I bathe in the laver though it seems extreme
I put on the holy coat made of white linen
Craving His favor- I’m ceremonially clean
I check to inspect- no tangible faltering
Next I must collect the animals for the offering
A spotless ram and a bull- the components
God gives to make atonement for my own sins
This part of the ritual makes me real cautious
Because the very sight of blood makes me feel nauseous
Still I proceed by snatching him close, slashing his throat
when his blood splashed on my coat
Reacting, I choke- gasping that’s when I’m grasping
God’s reaction that sin provokes
I take a moment to reflect on the blood spilled in this
Staring at the goat to be sent into the wilderness
I’ll confess Israel’s sins with my hands on his head
Symbolizing guilt transferred instead
to a substitute the living God provided and stamped
guilty of our sin, driven outside the camp
This beautiful picture of hope and grace motivates
And I don’t want my fear to make this dope occasion go to waste
Change my outer garments, slow my pace- yo I brace
myself to stand before Jehovah’s face in the Holy Place
Chorus
So you say that you wanna know the LORD?
Do you really wanna stand before the LORD?
Do you know what it takes to meet the LORD?
God is an all-consuming fire
So you say that you wanna know the LORD
Do you really wanna stand before the LORD?
Do you know what it takes to meet the LORD?
Be careful what you desire
Verse 3
The time has come, the great moment has arrived
About to enter in- what a lonely enterprise
Look at the other priests, they speak only with their eyes
Rope tied around my ankle just in case I don’t survive
I enter through the first curtain to a dark room
I’m standing in the Holy Place, my thoughts consumed
I’m caught off guard, I’m unraveling at this stage
My heartbeat so hard it’s rattling my ribcage
Feeling like I’m disintegrating and I can’t stand
Comforted by the light emanating from the lampstand
This helps my vision- I can see the showbread
I think of God’s provision, that helps me go ahead
I need courage to worship! Man, this is intense
I take burning coals off the altar for the incense
The sweet aroma fills the room
The smoke protects my eyes- one sight of Jehovah seals my doom
It’s no mere coincidence I’m here surrendering
With fear and trembling I’m nearly entering
I feel like running scared, hoping I’m not unprepared
Stunned with fear- no one comes in here but once a year
Nevertheless I’m at the point of no return
Besides, I don’t want my anointing to be spurned
After counting to three, next time I inhale
I’m in the Holy of Holies beyond the veil!
The first thing I realize is I’m thrilled that I’ve
entered into God’s presence and yet I’m still alive
I’m awestruck by the weight of His terrible beauty
It’s almost unbearable but I must fulfill my duty
Approach the ark, the first part of my work’s complete
when I sprinkle blood seven times on the mercy seat
Quickly I exit, impressed with the Hesed
that rescues the wretched and left us accepted!
Thoughts? Give ’em to me.
What type of music inspires you most?
I love the song Start Over by Flame and NF! I have actually a lot of rap on my this months playlist. Sweet Victory by Trip Lee is amazing and Crowns and Thorns which is a remix/rap of Oceans by KB.
Ooh, I’ll have to listen to those ones. I love recommendations! 🙂
I love all of those songs! Especially Start Over.
*blink* Wow. All of that was surprising. Just wow.
You’ve got me vacillating on whether I’ll go to listen to more or not. Which is an improvement, because before I wouldn’t listen to any. Not that I have anything against it, but it’s just typically not what I listen to. Having spent a lot of time with a music major friend, I’ve been paying more attention to the music itself, not the lyrics. And while I don’t have any hope of ever being able to break down music like he does, I still like to try, so the very simple melody is mostly what gives me pause. But then the lyrics!!! Wow! That was super cool and very thought-provoking and just wow.
As for what I usually reach for when I need some musical inspiration, it’s usually Ludovico Einaudi (my goodness, is his stuff BEAUTIFUL!!!) or, if I want lyrics, something heartwrenching, like Evanescence’s “My Immortal” or Christina Aguliera’s “Say Something” Yeah, I’m a bit of a glutton for punishment when it comes to my sad songs. Of course, not all of them are sad on their own. But pair them with some of my characters, and that’s a recipe for a blubbering me. :p
Awesome, veery interesting post, Nadine! Thank you for sharing!
I adore Ludovico Einaudi!!! That music just….*swoon* Good taste, my friend. 😉
And thanks for giving my rap post a try. I know that it was very odd-feeling for me when I truly gave it a shot the first time. But I’m so glad I did. 🙂
It’s funny how much rap has changed. I grew up listening to D-Boy (Danny Rodriguez) and DC Talk. Now I usually prefer listening to Alternative Christian music so that usually means rap mixed in with other styles.
DC Talk! Yeeeeeesss! LOL. Their rap is so oldschool.
That’s cool! My sister is the same way (well, she likes Christian rap and stuff…). Great post! 🙂
Thank you! 🙂 Good to know I’m not the only one. 😉
Yes a fellow Lecrae and NF listener! Paralyzed by NF makes my cry and gives me chills. You have got to check it out! And Lecrae…well I don’t have enough words to describe how much I appreciate what he does. I recently read his autobiography called Unashamed. You have got to read it. It is one of the most amazing testimonies ever! Also check out tell the world by Lecrae if you haven’t already. And his whole Anomaly album is just breathtaking. I also love Trip Lee, Kb, and Andy Mineo. You’ve got to check out the latter. His music is amazing!
SO many of NF’s songs make me cry. O.o I’ll grab the kleenexes and check out Paralyzed.
And I had no idea Lecrae wrote a biography! #whatsortoffanami?
Yah! I used to dislike rap music until I heard Lacre, and now I COMPLETELY get what you’re saying. It is DEEP, MEANINGFUL music! Thanks for the newsletter!
(“You Just Gotta Know” is one of my favorites… in case you haven’t heard it, which you probably have…) 🙂
Yes! I was so thankful my professor opened my eyes to this! I can’t imagine missing out my entire life.
Wow those words! I have listened to some rap by Lecrae a few times, and it amazes me every time. I should do it more often!
Yes!!! I almost always read the lyrics now when I listen to a new rap song.
I love NF and Oh Lord is probably his best song 😀
Agreed! I’m also partial to Wake Up. 🙂
Some I like are “The Bride” and “Don’t Wanna Waste My Life” (Lecrae).
I love “Don’t Wanna Waste My Life”!!
If you like deep lyrics, have you tried Micheal Card? He is a superb musician as well, but his lyrics are what brings his songs to life.
Basin and the Towel come to mind, and Immanuel is a gorgeous rendering of several verses… He takes phrases from the bible and works them in to the poetry in such a authentic, seamless fashion that it is really a beautiful thing. 🙂
I’ve never heard of Micheal Card! Thank you for the recommendation! *runs off to listen*