Always – Chris Tomlin
****
Following up his 2020 album Chris Tomlin & Friends, in which he partnered with country music artists, Tomlin is back with Always, doing what he does best, writing and singing worship songs for the church, though a few of the songs do have a country music feel to them. I have long enjoyed Tomlin’s music, and I really like this new album. It is one of my favorite albums of 2022.
Here are a few brief comments about each of the thirteen songs on the album:
Yahweh (No One) – This song was written by Chandler Moore, Jason Ingram, Chris Brown, Steven Furtick and Tomlin, and produced by Jeff Sojka and Ben Glover. The song is a cover of Elevation Worship’s “No One” and features Chris Brown of Elevation Worship on vocals. The upbeat song highlights the first commandment “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3), and the third commandment “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” (Exodus 20:7). A good opener.
Key lyrics:
There will be no other God before You
There is no one above You, no one beside You
And nobody like You
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- Song of the Week Lyrics ~ Your Praise Goes On by Crowder
Always – This song was written by Ben Glover, Daniel Carson, Jeff Sojka, Jess Cates, and Tomlin, and produced by Glover and Sojka. The song about our everlasting God, features acoustic guitar, piano, drums, bass, backing vocals.
Key lyrics:
The Lord is faithful, yesterday, now, and always
Strongholds – This upbeat song about our freedom in Christ was written by Ed Cash, Louie Giglio and Tomlin, and produced by Cash. The song features drums, bass, guitar, and keys. All obstacles are coming down by the blood of the Lamb.
Key lyrics:
Jesus is undefeated, the battle is the Lord’s
Shout it out, every stronghold must come down
Holy Forever – This song of worship to Jesus was written by Phil Wickham, Jenn Johnson, Jason Ingram, Brian Johnson, and Tomlin. It was produced by Jonathan Smith. The song features a choir, keys, guitar, drums and backing vocals.
Key lyrics:
Your name is the highest
Your name is the greatest
Your name stands above them all
All thrones and dominions
All powers and positions
Your name stands above them all
O Lord You’re Beautiful – This is a beautiful version of the classic song written by Keith Green. It was produced by Ben Glover and Jeff Sojka, and features Steffany Gretzinger on vocals. The song features piano and strings.
Key lyrics:
O Lord, You’re beautiful
Your face is all I seek
And when Your eyes are on this child
Your grace abounds to me
The Answer – This song about Jesus was written by Josh Kear, Charles Kelley, Ben West, and Dave Haywood (of Lady A). The easygoing song, which has a country music flavor, and would have fit nicely on Chris Tomlin & Friends, was produced by West and Haywood. The song features keys, drums, guitar, and backing vocals.
Key lyrics:
Who is gonna love me all my life
Who is gonna never leave my side
Who is gonna be the heartbeat of everything I do
The answer is always You
Always You
Great Forgiver – This mid-tempo song about Jesus as our great forgiver, was written by Bear Rinehart (of NEEDTOBREATHE), Ben Glover, Jeff Sojka and Tomlin, and produced by Glover and Sojka. The song features drums, keys, guitar, handclaps and backing vocals.
Key lyrics:
‘Cause You are the great, great forgiver
Nobody else gonna take my trouble
Nobody else gonna take my shame
I Believe in Jesus – This worship song confessing Jesus as our Savior and Lord, was written by Mitch Wong, Ben Fielding, and Tomlin, and produced by Ben Glover and Jeff Sojka. The song, which gently builds, features piano, bass, backing vocals, strings, and drums.
Key lyrics:
I believe in Jesus
He is the Son of God
He died and rose to save my soul
I confess that He is Lord
I See You – This song of praise was written by Bryan Fowler, Jonas Myrin and Tomlin and produced by Fowler. The mid-tempo song features Brandon Lake on vocals. The song features keys, drums, bass, guitar, backing vocals and a memorable chorus.
Key lyrics:
I see You in the morning light
I feel You in the fire by night
I hear You say, “Child, I am with you
Everything will be alright.”
Father Of Lights – This song was written by Ben Glover, Jeff Sojka, Steven Furtick, Jason Ingram, and Tomlin, and produced by Glover and Sojka. The song, which has a country music feel, is based on James 1:17, and features guitar, bass, drums, and backing vocals.
Key lyrics:
Every good thing in my life
Comes down from the Father of lights
It comes down from the Father, down from the Father
Down from the Father of lights
History – This song about thankfulness and gratitude for the goodness and faithfulness of God, was written by Jess Cates, Cody Carnes and Tomlin and was produced by Jonathan Smith. The song features guitar, handclaps, drums, bass, backing vocals, and a memorable chorus.
Key lyrics:
I’ve got so much history of how good You are
You’ve been the guiding light in me right through the dark
Whatever giants I may face, I don’t have to be afraid
‘Cause I’ve got so much history of how good You are
All In All – This song was written by Corey Crowder, Tyler Hubbard (of Florida Georgia Line), Jason Ingram and Tomlin and was produced by Ben Glover and Jeff Sojka. The worship song to Jesus, slowly builds and features piano, guitar, bass, drums, and backing vocals.
Key lyrics:
Where would I be now without Your love
Precious Love – This song was written by Ben Cantelon, Sam McCabe and Tomlin and was produced by Jonathan Smith. The song, which takes us through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, features piano, guitar, drums, bass, and backing vocals. An excellent song for congregational singing.
Key lyrics:
Oh, the precious love of Jesus
Oh, the fount of grace divine
Flowing as a mighty river
Washing sinners in its tide
There will never be another
In whose name we are redeemed
Oh, the precious love of Jesus
Pouring out for you and me
Favorite songs:
Yahweh (No One)
Always
Holy Forever
I Believe in Jesus
Father of Lights
Precious Love
- Sing the Psalms. Keith Getty sits down with Tim Keller to talk about how to incorporate psalms into corporate worship as well as family worship, counseling, and personal prayer.
Your Praise Goes On by Crowder
Although released on his Christmas album Milk & Cookies: A Merry Crowder Christmas, “Your Praise Goes On” is a wonderful worship song from Crowder. The song was written by Crowder, Jeff Pardo, Jeff Sojka and Ben Glover. You can listen to it here.
A star in the sky, a Savior is born
Jesus, Messiah has come
What happened that night will ring on forever
‘Till every song has been sung
Your praise goes on never-ending
Your praise goes on, how sweet is that sound
It’s been 2000 years, we’re still singing Your song
Hallelujah
Your praise goes on
The shepherds stood watch and three wise men worshiped
The babe who assembled the earth
Oh what happened that night away in a manger
Changed the whole universe
Your praise goes on never-ending
Your praise goes on, how sweet is that sound
It’s been 2000 years, we’re still singing Your song
Hallelujah
Your praise goes on
To the ends of the earth let it ring out
Every tribe, every tongue come and sing now
Glory to God in the highest
All glory to God in the highest
Your praise goes on never-ending
Your praise goes on, how sweet is that sound
It’s been 2000 years, we’re still singing Your song
Hallelujah
Your praise goes on
Your praise goes on
