Reflection #2 on "It Is You" by Newsboys  [song lyrics]

• originally released by solidsounds.org, 10/12/2003
• author: Suzy C.
• scripture reference: Psalm 19:1-2; Psalms 19:14

	From the album "Thrive" (2002) Read the song lyrics...

It is You
We adore
It is You
Praises are for
Only You
The heavens declare
It is You

This is one of my favorite songs. The lyrics are very simple. It declares that He is holy and that we adore Him. I love it because it is written in the style of the psalms.

Praise is to be the center of our lives and it is no coincidence that at the very center of the Bible we find a songbook of praise. The Book of Psalms is a rich treasury of praise from the heart of devoted lovers of God. Today's songwriters would do well to study these honest and humble offerings of worship that God Himself selected to be included in His Holy Word.

The Psalms were originally written in Hebrew. Hebrew is a very musical language. Hebrew poetry, like the Psalms, was usually composed of two or three lines, each using only a few words (2-6 words). These lines are parallel in thought. That means that a statement is made and then the following line will explain or in some way, great or small, extend the meaning of the first statement. Look at Psalm 19 for example.

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the works of His hands.
Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge" (Psalms 19:1-2 NASB).

Psalm 19 begins by saying that creation declares His glory and the next line expands that thought. The psalmist keeps developing this idea until it ends with David's plea that he might do the same.

"Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart,
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my rock
and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14 NASB).

The whole psalm is about the voice of nature, the voice of God and finally, David adding his voice. What a great picture, all of creation and the Creator together in this song.

That is just one example of the great songs of praise in this book. I have often, almost daily, turned to the psalms for comfort, reassurance and expression of my heart. When deep in sorrow, or exuberant in thanks, I can connect with the authors of this book and with the God we both adore.

Like David of the psalms, the Newsboys have added their voice to this eternal song of praise. In this way, Psalm 14 continues. Won't you add your voice and say:

It is You
We adore
It is You

For more on studying the Psalms join us at the biblediscoverycenter.org.

--Suzy C.

Scripture Reference: Psalm 19:1-2; Psalms 19:14