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

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