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 My Lips Shall Praise You from 1991.
Back in 1991, I had much much respect for the older generation of evangelical Christians, and the older hymns, that I took little interest in the contemporary scene. It seemed a little silly to me. But there was little wrong with the music. You’d just hear people criticizing some of the more extreme teachings and practices. And you’d associate the old hymns with people who were more godly and serious minded. But this mentality has its own dangers.
I am more interested in newer music now, though I still like the old stuff. And maybe 1991 songs can be regarded as old stuff now 😀. I discovered this one in 2017 when I used Spotify and YouTube to learn the tunes of all the songs in the Mission Praise hymnbook that I had yet to learn. It was great fun. And it made me more open-minded about the newer music.
A key line is “You are the restorer of my soul” – which I assume relates to the verse in Psalm 23 – The Lord’s My Shepherd:
Psalm 23:3
3Â He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Some translations used the word “refresh”. The way I see it is that so many things and people in life can cause us to put God out of the picture. And it’s such a delight when we are refreshed and feel close to God once again.
The “My lips shall praise you” line comes from Psalm 63:
Psalm 63:2-5
Because your love is better than life,
    my lips will glorify you.
4Â I will praise you as long as I live,
    and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5Â I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
    with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
Here are some other versions of the hymn:
Hibernia Gospel 