Words of Worship: Declaration

declaration (noun) - the act of declaring; announcement; something that is declared

Synonyms: affirmation, claim, insistence, profession

Antonym: disavowal

There are some different things that come to mind when I hear the word declaration: the iconic 2004 film National Treasure, Michael Scott yelling about bankruptcy in the middle of the office, and the first track on David Cook's debut album are a few of them. More and more often as I've gotten older and deeper in my walk with the Lord, both His declarations of love and faithfulness to His people as well as His peoples' declarations of devotion back to Him start entering my thoughts as well. Usually, someone makes a declaration in regards to something they feel very strongly about, whether that feeling is love, loyalty, anger, or something else. Worship is a musical declaration of praise to our Creator, and all we have to do is look around us at the blessings we receive from Him to see His daily declarations back to us. This week is all about acknowledging the Lord's power and announcing our love and faith to Him.

All Scriptures are taken from the New Living Translation of the Holy Bible.

My Savior My God by Aaron Shust (written by A. Shust)

Featured on Shust's 2005 album Anything Worth Saying, this song was one I knew the chorus to during my teenage years but didn't dive in much deeper than that until about three years ago. The declarations of salvation, God's love, and God's eternalness are comforting, classic, and true.

I am not skilled to understand what God has willed, what God has planned/I only know at His right hand stands one who is my Savior/I take Him at His word and deed, Christ died to save me, this I read/And in my heart, I find the need of Him to be my Savior/That He would leave His place on high and come for sinful man to die/You called it strange, so once did I before I knew my Savior/My Savior loves, my Savior lives, my Savior’s always there for me/My God He was, my God He is, my God is always gonna be/My Savior loves, my Savior lives, my Savior’s always there for me/My God He was, my God He is, my God is always gonna be

John 4:13-14 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

Chasing You by Bethel Music & Jenn Johnson (written by J. Johnson, G. Wilson, I. McIntosh, J. Riddle, D. MacKenzie)

Included on Bethel's 2013 album Tides and featuring vocals from worship leader Jenn Johnson, this high energy song is fun to listen to and fun to lead. The declaration of following Jesus wherever He leads is joyful, freeing, and empowering.

You hide, I wanna find You/Go, and I will follow You/I want to be where You are/As You move, I’m right beside You/Oh, I want to follow You/I want to be where You are/I’m chasing You, I’m so in love/Captivated, I just can’t get enough/I’ll spend my days running after Your heart/Your heart, Your heart, oh/I’m chasing You with all my love/Captivated, I just can’t get enough/I’ll spend my days running after Your heart/Your heart, Your heart, oh

Psalm 139:7-10 I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.

Ever Be by Bethel Music & kalley (written by R. Strand, G. Wilson, C. Greely, K. Heiligenthal)

Included on Bethel's 2015 live album We Will Not Be Shaken and featuring vocals from worship leader Kalley Heiligenthal, this song manages to wow and relax me at the same time. The declarations of God's faithfulness to us and our faithfulness and praise in return is powerful, awesome, and reassuring.

Your love is devoted like a ring of solid gold/Like a vow that is tested, like a covenant of old/Your love is enduring through the winter rain/And beyond the horizon with mercy for today/Faithful You have been and faithful You will be/You pledge Yourself to me and it’s why I sing/Your praise will ever be on my lips, ever be on my lips/Your praise will ever be on my lips, ever be on my lips/Your praise will ever be on my lips, ever be on my lips/Your praise will ever be on my lips, ever be on my lips

Psalm 30:11-12 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!

Glory to God Forever by Fee (written by S. Fee, V. Beeching)

Featured on Fee's 2009 album Hope Rising, this has been one of my all time favorite worship songs since I heard them sing the chorus and bridge (because that's all they'd written so far) at church camp when I was sixteen. The declaration of God's glory, His power, and His majesty is incredible, and I never, ever skip this song when it comes on.

Before the world was made, before You spoke it to be/You were the King of kings, yeah You were, yeah You were/And now You’re reigning still, enthroned above all things/Angels and saints cry out, we join them as we sing/Glory to God, glory to God/Glory to God forever/Glory to God, glory to God/Glory to God forever, yeah

Joshua 7:19 Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, by telling the truth. Make your confession and tell me what you have done. Don’t hide it from me.”

Lord, I Need You by Matt Maher (written by C. Nockels, D. Carson, J. Reeves, K. Stanfill, M. Maher)

Featured on Maher's 2013 live album All the People Said Amen, I think this may be one of the most powerful worship songs out there right now. The declaration of our need of the Lord and His grace is both humbling and peaceful.

Lord, I come, I confess/Bowing here, I find my rest/Without You, I fall apart/You’re the one that guides my heart/Lord, I need You, oh, I need You/Every hour, I need You/My one defense, my righteousness/Oh God, how I need You

Romans 3:21-24 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty of our sins.

Here In Your Presence by New Life Worship (written by J. Egan)

Featured on New Life Worship's 2006 live album with My Savior Lives, this song should be on everyone's worship classics playlist. The declarations of joy and peace are both invigorating and calming.

Found in Your hands, fullness of joy/Every fear suddenly wiped away here in Your presence/All of my gains now fade away/Every crown no longer on display here in Your presence/Heaven is trembling in awe of Your wonders/The kings and their kingdoms are standing amazed/Here in Your presence, we are undone/Here in Your presence, Heaven and Earth become one/Here in Your presence, all things are new/Here in Your presence, everything bows before You

Exodus 33:14 The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest - everything will be fine for you.”

Cannons by Phil Wickham (written by P. Wickham)

Featured on Wickham's 2007 album Cannons, this song was a banger when I was in high school and it still is today. The declaration of God's power and holiness is intense and wonderful, just like Him.

It’s falling from the clouds, a strange and lovely sound/I hear it in the thunder and the rain/It’s ringing in the skies like cannons in the night/The music of the universe plays/It’s singing You are holy, great and mighty/The moon and the stars declare who You are/I’m so unworthy, but still You love me/Forever my heart will sing of how great You are

II Samuel 7:22 How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you!

I hope this little playlist brings you joy this week. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!