American Idol - Shout to the Lord
Friday, April 11, 2008
American Idol is one of the reality shows that I watch regularly. Most of the contestants have professed a belief in a god at some point or another in their thanks, but the show itself has never been overtly religious.
Last year during one of the episodes each of the contestants sang an inspirational (religious) song except for Blake Lewis, who decided upon John Lennon's Imagine. I heard there was some controversy over his song choice, but from what I read most people felt he lacked conviction to match the song more than they disliked the song choice.
This year David Archuleta sang Imagine early in the season, but he left out the first verse. Maybe after the controversy over Blake (real or not), he decided to play it safe. Or maybe he was telling the truth when he said he wanted to sing the last verse because it was his favorite and due to the limited time given to each song he didn't have time to sing both.
In any case, I don't have a problem with religious songs, especially classic hymns, being sung on the show. I don't hate religious music. I might not appreciate them in the same way Christians do, but I can still enjoy the music when its done well.
But then tonight I watched the episode from last Thursday on DVR and the remaining contestants sang Shout to the Lord. My brand of church growing up was not just evangelical, but also charismatic. This is the type of music we sang on Sunday mornings during praise and worship. Just read the lyrics.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and Majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of your hands,
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.
My Jesus, my Savior, Lord, there is none like You;
All of my days I want to praise the wonders of Your mighty love.
My comfort, my shelter, tower of refuge and strength;
Let every breath, all that I am, never cease to worship You.
Chorus
Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and Majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of your hands,
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and Majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of your hands,
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have...
Nothing compares to the promise I have...
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.
It was hideous. I can think of no reason why they would choose to sing this song. It's almost as if American Idol has chosen to pander to the religious crowd. But I doubt most religious people in America are even familiar with the song. It seems an odd song to be on a secular television program.
Another interesting fact of note. The song was originally written by Darlene Zschech of Hillsong Music. That's right, the same Hillsong that's in charge of Mercy Ministries.
Hmmm....
