I’ve been encouraged by the attention hymns have been getting recently. Not because I’m a fan of hymns in general, but because hymns tend to allow for a greater development of the truths we’re singing. I currently have hymns albums from Sojourn Music (The War & The Mercy Seat), Indelible Grace (The Hymn Sing), and Page CXVI (Hymns III), which I hope to review in the near future. Mike Cosper has also started a series on hymns over at the Gospel Coalition site.
But this post is about a hymns album I received last fall and am just getting around to reviewing. It’s the work of David Potter and is called Man of Sorrows Glorious King. The album contains ten hymns (reworked and original) and bonus acoustic versions of three of those.
I’ve never actually met David Potter, but I’m sure I will at some point. When we first started corresponding he was in Omaha, Nebraska. Now he’s a student at Covenant Seminary in St. Louis and part of the Journey Church.
The production on the album is primarily an acoustic guitar driven band sound that brings a cohesiveness to the project. Nothing fancy, but solid. David has a voice that’s easy and enjoyable to listen to. The album may not blow you away with production tricks, but what comes through is a musician who is serious about providing songs filled with gospel-centered truth that the church can actually sing.
Here’s the track listing and a few comments:
Man of Sorrows – fresh treatment of the Philip Bliss hymn, Hallelujah! What a Savior.
All Creatures of Our God and King – bluesy, driving version of this classic, with a new melody
You Are the One – original 6/8 song that magnifies the God’s greatness is seen both in his transcendence and his immanence
Rock of Ages – original lyrics/tune with a new chorus, that makes it a whole new song
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus – great new tune to a already great lyric. A new chorus doesn’t hurt either.
There is a Fountain – new tune to William Cowper’s lyrics. This one wasn’t a stand out for me.
The Greatness of HIs Mercy – again, great new music to some great lyrics that celebrate the effect of Jesus’ sacrifice
Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah – the other song I’m not really crazy about, but I’m sure some will say this is their favorite song. Kind of blues/minor. Not sure the music complements the lyrics here.
Lord You Are a Shield – based loosely on Ps. 3. Great song for those going through trials and persecution.
Be Thou My Vision – pretty straight version of an amazing hymn
My iTunes tells me I’ve listened to this album about 5 times. Actually, it’s about 7. And that’s how many times I’ve enjoyed it. If you’d like to hear it, you can visit David’s site on bandcamp.com. David is graciously offering 20% discount if you simply type “worshipmatters” as the discount code.
UPDATE: Download the MP3 and guitar chart for Man of Sorrows. (Capo chart here)
To find out more about David you can check out his site or find him on Facebook.
