Disclaimer:
- I am not a musical expert. The opinions I give are just my thoughts as a listener.
- The passages and theological observations made are what run through my mind when I listen. I have not spoken to the author regarding his or her theological convictions.
Introduction. I was introduced to this song by my sister a few months ago. Prior to this song I had no clue about this group. Honestly, outside of this song, I still don’t much about them! All I know is that they are a contemporary Christian band that is evangelical.
Theological Comment(s): This is a remake of an old hymn with a chorus. The song is essentially Psalm 23. It focuses on God’s role as shepherd in the life of the Christian. God’s sovereignty and perfect righteousness/judgment should never be overshadowed by the perfect balance of His attributes of care and compassion for His people. A high theology proper must involve God’s benevolence towards His people.
Musical Comment(s): The song definitely has a folk feel to it (not many bands use a banjo). The guitar picking is also nice since many contemporary Christian bands just strum like crazy. The percussion seems pretty simple with a kick drum keeping the pace. The xylophone plays a simple riff in between verses that add a nice and unique touch.
Recommendations: I think the musicianship for this song may be a little too complicated to duplicate for congregational worship. I don’t know many banjo and xylophone players. Perhaps there is room for a simplified version, but I would still imagine it to be difficult. The tempo alone seems like a challenge even though the melody doesn’t seem too bad. I think it’s great music to have play in the background to relax, do some chores, or while hanging out with people.
The Contenders 