Sing a new song to the Lord,
    because he has done amazing things…
Everyone on earth, shout with joy to the Lord.
    Start singing happy songs of praise!
Praise the Lord with harps.
    Yes, praise him with music from the harps.
Blow the pipes and horns,
    and shout for joy to the Lord our King! – Psalm 98

Recently I have been thinking a lot about worship, and how my experience has evolved over the years in terms of music and style.

Not surprisingly, and likely because I was raised in a very traditional English church with one of the country’s best organists at the keyboard (Paul Powell), I have always appreciated hymns. But I also love contemporary rock and folk music, and I learned to play guitar listening to artists like James Taylor, Paul Simon, Larry Norman, Graham Kendrick and – later – Steven Curtis Chapman.

In Brandon, Florida, I learned a huge amount playing guitar with the Praise Orchestra. When we moved to Wake Forest both worship services were meaningful, but I resonated most completely with the vibe at the 9:00 contemporary, where I did not play in the band but deeply admired their cutting edge style.

Today, here in Tarboro, I enjoy the traditional worship experience along with our excellent organist’s spirit and skill with the pipe organ.

Old hymns, new style:

The sweet spot for me is when traditional hymns are played with the improvisation, the beat and the chord structure of contemporary light rock. It is the best of both worlds.

I had almost forgotten how much I enjoy such arrangements, but then our niece Jordan asked me to lead a couple of her favorite hymns at last weekend’s wedding. She and her husband – Bobby – chose Great is Thy Faithfulness and Be Thou My Vision, and it turns out they both set up really well for a guitar and chord-based interpretation.

What I’m going to share with you here, however, is my arrangement of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.

I guess this is why I make such a good Presbyterian! It’s the idea that, while the foundational truths remain constant, our faith is always reforming, regrouping, reframing and reshaping. The hymn was written in the UK by Baptist preacher Robert Robinson in 1758; my version was arranged just a couple of weeks ago.

I love the imagery of a fountain flooding our lives with blessing after blessing, flowing into streams of mercy, never ceasing.

And I appreciate the buoyancy and rhythmic heart this arrangement adds to the hymn.

It is always good to sing God’s praises and to enter into God’s presence with joy as The Spirit teaches me one more melodious sonnet.

And I find a lot of joy in music, especially my guitar. Enjoy, and sing along, I believe you will like it – DEREK