I’ve been exploring some of the very modern worship songs as an old guy 😀. But now, I’ve decided to alternate between very modern hymns, old hymns, and in-between hymns, namely the worship songs from the 60s to the 90s that feature in hymnbooks such as Mission Praise. Today it’s the turn of the in-between hymns.
Today’s song is Let the Peace of God Reign, from 1995.
I wasn’t sure whether to categorize this one as a “very modern” song or an “in-between” song. But 1995 is 36 years ago now 😀.
I only discovered this one around 2017. I generally played the keyboards in church up to that time. But I thought that it would be nice to play guitar, so I started exploring some of the newer songs in the Mission Praise hymnbook that I was unfamiliar with. In the 1990s, I developed a love for the older hymns, so I tended to ignore anything modern. And I mistrusted modern evangelical movements. Even now, if I want to listen to online sermons, I stick with traditional evangelical churches. I’m not concerned with what denominations they’re from, but I like them to be conservative, though not “fundamentalist” (the kind of movements who tend to heavily criticize everyone who doesn’t adhere to their precise beliefs and practices).
Here’s a list of some of my favourite sites for sermons:
- At the Castle
- Metropolitan Tabernacle
- Wayne Grudem
- The Gospel Coalition
- SermonAudio
- Evangelical Movement of Wales
- St Helen’s Bishopsgate
- Ligonier Ministries
- Desiring God
- 9Marks
The folk that I listen to would have various views and approaches, but they wouldn’t generally be aligned to what I would consider the extreme wacky end of evangelicalism or controversial movements. So, I tended to steer clear of any music that might have originated in movements that I knew little about.
But my approach now in relation to music is that I don’t really mind where it comes from. On the web, you can find much content criticizing modern worship music and movements. Some of it comes from the fundamentalist end of evangelicalism, and some of it comes from secular movements who want to steer people away from Christianity altogether. But even if there is much to criticize in modern movements, there’s probably plenty to criticize in past movements too, if we knew more about them. And I would think that few people in modern movements would endorse leaders who indulge in scandalous behaviour or who see evangelicalism as a lucrative industry. And within these modern churches, you probably have a wide range of points of view too, as is the case with older churches.
When I started to acquaint myself with the hymns of the 1990s using Spotify and YouTube, I loved most of them, particularly today’s hymn. It’s not sung in any churches that I know, but I find it exhilarating to listen to and to play.
Here are three Bible verses that closely align to the song lyrics:
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace
 those whose minds are steadfast,
 because they trust in you.
Col 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Phil 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I particularly like the chorus, where it feels like it’s going to end on line 4 but then goes on another bit:
Oh Lord, I hunger for more of You
Rise up within me, let me know Your truth (Holy spirit)
Oh Holy Spirit, saturate my soul
And let the life of God.......fill me now
Let Your healing power
Breathe life and make me whole
And let the peace of God, let it reign (the life of God)
Here are some other interesting versions:
Hibernia Gospel 