Phil Wickham has one of the best singing voices I have heard in the modern praise and worship scene, and his songs have better melodies than most of today's popular choruses.
In my previous posts I have written about using balanced worship sets and the balance of truth and emotion in musical worship. Some songs are filled with gospel truth but are lacking emotional melodic accompaniment. Other (most) songs are emotionally catchy but lack depth of lyrical content. Wickham's songs, such as "I Adore You", "Mystery", and "Grace", bring a good balance to the truth/emotion spectrum.
In his new album, "Cannons", Wickham shares with us a modern hymn titled "You're Beautiful". I wanted to mention this particular song as an example of what I look for; a strong melody that effectively accompanies truthful words.
The song consists of four verses, the first two recognizing God in the light of day and His power in the stars at night. In the last two verses Phil tells the story of Christ's redemption, sharing the truth of His suffering, death, burial, resurrection and ascension in verse three, and painting a beautiful picture of the hope to come in verse four, when "death is just a memory and tears are no more", and we are united with Christ. Here are the lyrics, and at itunes you can preview and purchase the song.
You're Beautiful
by Phil Wickham
I see your face in every sunrise
The colors of the morning are inside your eyes
The world awakens in the light of the day
I look up to the sky and say... You’re Beautiful
I see your pow’r in the moonlit night
Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright
We are amazed in the light of the stars
Its all proclaiming who you are... You’re beautiful
I see you there hanging on a tree
You bled and then you died and then you rose again for me
Now you are setting on your heavenly throne
Soon you will be coming home... You’re Beautiful
When we arrive at eternity’s shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We’ll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we’ll sing... You’re Beautiful
14 comments
Comment by Matthew on December 9, 2007 at 10:32 PM
phil wickham came to our church and led worship a few weeks ago. i hadn't heard of him before then, but based on what i heard in person, i'll have to get this album.
Comment by Anonymous on January 17, 2009 at 3:10 AM
I think Phil Wickham's music is some of the best worship to come out in many years
Comment by Anonymous on January 24, 2009 at 6:21 PM
I had heard of Phil before, but never really heard much of his music...but our Youth worship team leader started talking about his song "You're Beautiful" and the keyboardist said "Hey, I have that one." Now, we're playing that one in church on Sunday!! :)
Comment by Anonymous on September 14, 2009 at 5:05 AM
This song was played at soul survivor 2009, so inspiring... Everyone had tears running down their face by the end of it!
Comment by Kara on August 1, 2010 at 12:17 PM
We went on a missions trip last week in a muslim community, and at night during their call to prayer out group practically shouted this song at the top of our lungs, and it makes me cry when i think about how beautiful he really is, and that we will never be able to know how beautiful he is until we meet him.
Comment by Anonymous on August 8, 2010 at 5:59 PM
heard your beautiful first time at soul survivor stafford total expression of our saviours love
Comment by Anonymous on February 4, 2011 at 2:06 AM
thanks for sharing. i do love this song a lot since our pastor just passed away from cancer and our youth sang this song, it was great for everyone, it really helps us heal. Thank God.
yer
yvang1087@hotmail.com
Comment by Brenda Knauber on February 11, 2011 at 8:07 AM
We sang this song last night at the weekly meeting of Campus Crusade for Christ. It is an absolutely beautiful worship song.
Comment by James K on February 24, 2011 at 3:16 AM
I love this song this song, I love ot
Comment by Unknown on April 11, 2011 at 11:36 PM
I love the lyrics - a beeautiful song indeed
hsander
Comment by Anonymous on September 27, 2011 at 1:07 PM
I think the last line of the third verse is soon *we* we will be coming home. I too thought I heard "you" when I first listened to it, which I thought was weird. Upon listening again I realized it was "we", which makes perfect sense, especially as a transition to the 4th verse. Wonderful song, and I enjoy it even more now. =)
Comment by Peter Hartgerink on March 28, 2013 at 3:13 PM
"soon You will be coming home" makes sense if you understand that Jesus is coming back to reign as King on a restored earth.
Blessings
Comment by Anonymous on May 20, 2013 at 9:37 AM
Probably the worst, most depressing worship song I have ever heard, when worshipping I like to feel uplifted, joyful, but not suicidal.
Comment by Anonymous on July 14, 2013 at 12:25 AM
What a song. Wow glory to God
Thanks for joining us and sharing your thoughts.