Resound Worship is a collective of British worship songwriters that seeks to write songs for the church. They have four goals: to publish songs that are theologically robust, reflect the full range of human emotions, have singable melodies that are engaging for a congregation, and have been through a process of being used and revised. Their latest album is a double CD, Downcast Souls Expectant Hearts, which reflects their goals well.
The first disc of this album is comprised of 10 songs from a variety of singers and songwriters that speak to lament, much like a third of the Psalms do. In “When God’s Perfect Plans,” Andy Clark sings, “When God’s perfect plans are hard to see / and struggles surface everywhere, / we lay our lives before his sovereignty / and pray his peace would find us there.” These songs evoke the pain that we sometimes feel while never losing sight of God.
And just as most of the Psalms of lament turn to a time of praise, the second disc of this collection has 10 more songs that do the same thing. In “Your Kingdom Come” by James Martin, for example, the chorus goes, “Every tear is wiped away, / no more crying and no more pain, / death is finished and mourning has gone / your kingdom come.”
This disc is not in contrast to the first but puts the earlier songs in an even bigger frame. Downcast Souls Expectant Hearts speaks to the heart of faith. The songs remind us that we do not grieve alone, nor do we grieve without hope. This is an album well worth spending time with. (Resound Worship)
About the Author
Robert J. Keeley is a professor of education emeritus at Calvin University and leads music at 14th St. Christian Reformed Church in Holland, Mich.