This week I’ve had an entire album on repeat, yet the more I listen the more I enjoy it. The album is another worship album, Petra Praise – The Rock Cries Out (1989) by Petra. And from those 14 fantastic songs I enjoy I Will Call Upon The Lord the most.

I will call upon the Lord,
Who is worthy to be praised,
So shall I be saved from my enemies…

The Lord liveth,
And blessed be the rock,
And let the God of my salvation be exalted.

That all in terms of lyrics, it’s rocked up and they do the rounds with the congregation, which sound great, but for lyrics that it.

When I got this album I liked the song, like many on the album, but it’s only been recently that I discovered another dimension to those lyrics. They’re taken directly from Scripture. 2 Samuel 22 verse four and verse forty-seven to be exact.

“4 I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” – 2 Samuel 22:4 (KJV)

“47 The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.” – 2 Samuel 22:47 (KJV)

Once I realised they were taken directly from Scripture the first thing I did was read 2 Samuel 22. With all of that context behind this simple song, I suddenly see so many extra layers of depth.

Another song on the album, King Of Glory is inspired by Psalm 24, again in the KJV. Take Me In speaks of the desire to go into the inner-most part of the temple where God dwelt. When The Spirit Of The Lord celebrates King David’s songs, dances and prayers.

Another song, No Weapon Formed Against Us Shall Prosper, takes its lyrics from Isaiah 54:17, the last verse of Isaiah 54. The lead-up to verse 17 once again adds so much context and depth to what seems a simple song.

No weapon formed against us shall prosper,
All those who rise up against us shall fall,
I will not fear what the devil may bring me,
I am a servant of God, I am a servant of God.

“17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.” – Isaiah 54:17 (KJV)