Last Friday I had the opportunity to listen to the new MUTEMATH album Armistice. Okay, so I’m a little partial here, but it’s one of the most amazing albums I’ve ever heard.
I won’t go into a whole ton of details, but suffice it to say that this is an album you don’t want to miss.
As Paul Meany was recounting how this latest album came to be, I couldn’t help but be more impressed by the care that went into putting this record together.
The band wrote 36 new songs while they were on the road touring for their debut album.
None of those appear on Armistice.
They scrapped them all and decided to create a completely new, cohesive sound for this new CD.
I hope you come to love it as much as I do. It releases August 18.
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that’s within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
‘My God is the God who provides’
This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
‘There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me, Lord, through the flame’
I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and he is here
This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
‘I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on his promise I’ll stand’
I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and he is here
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and he is here
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
‘I know I’m filled to be emptied again
The seed I’ve received I will sow’
I never knew death could be so sweet
I never knew surrender could feel so free
I’ve never seen such meekness in majesty
That the blood of Jesus was bled for me
And now I’ll sing freedom for all my days
It’s only by the power of the cross I’m raised
The King of Glory rescued me
How beautiful the blood flow
How merciful the love shown
The King of Glory poured out
Victorious are we now
I never knew through these nails would love unfold
I never knew these wounds would heal my soul
I’ve never seen such beauty and sorrow meet
The blood of Jesus was bled for me
And now I’ll sing freedom for all my days
It’s only by the power of the cross I’m raised
The King of Glory rescued me
How beautiful the blood flow
How merciful the love shown
The King of Glory poured out
Victorious are we now
How beautiful You are
How merciful You are
How glorious You are
Christ our Savior
In the cross alone I glory
Recognition laying down
Greatest treasures count as worthless
Standing next to heaven’s crowns
Standing next to heaven’s crowns
In the cross alone I glory
Ever reaching for the prize
Pressing on and laying hold of
That for which my Savior died
That for which my Savior died
In the cross alone I glory
Nothing of my own to give
Only that which Christ has offered
For my soul that I may live
For my soul that I may live
In the cross alone I glory
Holding fast the Word of Life
Toiling not in vain but being
Poured out as a sacrifice
Poured out as a sacrifice
Never will I seek the glory
That was never meant for me
Always heavenward reflecting
All to Jesus to receive
All to Jesus to receive
In the cross alone I glory
Nothing of my own to give
Only that which Christ has offered
For my soul that I may live
For my soul that I may live
“Jesus is Lord!”—the cry that echoes through creation:
Resplendent pow’r, eternal Word, our rock.
The Son of God, the King whose glory fills the heavens,
Yet bids us come to taste this living bread.
Jesus is Lord—Whose voice sustains the stars and planets,
Yet in His wisdom laid aside His crown.
Jesus the Man, who washed our feet, who bore our suffering,
Became a curse to bring salvation’s plan.
Jesus is Lord—the tomb is gloriously empty!
Not even death could crush this King of love!
The price is paid, the chains are loosed, and we’re forgiven,
And we can run into the arms of God.
“Jesus is Lord!”—a shout of joy, a cry of anguish,
As He returns, and ev’ry knee bows low.
Then ev’ry eye and ev’ry heart will see His glory,
The Judge of all will take His children home.
Your blood speaks a better word
Than all the empty claims
I’ve heard upon this earth,
Speaks righteousness for me
And stands in my defense,
Jesus, it’s Your blood
What can wash away our sins?
What can make us whole again?
Nothing but the blood,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can wash us pure as snow,
Welcomed as the friends of God?
Nothing but Your blood,
Nothing but Your blood, King Jesus
Your cross testifies in grace,
Tells of the Father’s heart
To make a way for us
Now boldly we approach,
Not by earthly confidence
It’s only by Your blood
What can wash away our sins?
What can make us whole again?
Nothing but the blood,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can wash us pure as snow,
Welcomed as the friends of God?
Nothing but Your blood,
Nothing but Your blood, King Jesus
I’ve been running, trying to be one who sees
I’ve been working salvation out on my knees
There is nothing better than knowing
That we are redeemed
I’m believing, trusting in creative hands
I am praying for our world to bow to Your plan
And this one thought is unmistakable:
I take up my cross and follow You, Lord
When You stand the tall trees and mountains bow
When You speak the fiercest of oceans is still
And I see the sinners seek devotion,
The lost become chosen,
And I fall to my knees
I’m forgiven by a Saviour who did not deserve death
He was blameless, and I was lost in shamefulness
I’m delivered, but it doesn’t seem right
Unless I keep my eyes focused on the Saviour who gave His life
In the middle of a world that denies it believes,
It is breaking apart at the very seams
There is one thing to be alive for,
And it’s to take up my cross and follow You, Lord
When You stand the tall trees and mountains bow
When You speak the fiercest of oceans is still
And I see the sinners seek devotion,
The lost become chosen,
And I fall to my knees
I will take up my cross and follow, Lord, where You lead me
I will take up my cross and follow wherever You go
When You stand the tall trees and mountains bow
When You speak the fiercest of oceans is still
And I see the sinners seek devotion,
The lost become chosen,
And I fall to my knees
To kick things off, I thought I’d start with another lyric. I was hoping to avoid posting two songs by the same writer back-to-back, but I couldn’t resist. This modern hymn is such a powerful message about our response to Christ’s sacrifice and describes the believer’s yearning to take part in it.
“Lead Me to the Cross” by Brooke Fraser
Saviour, I come
Quiet my soul
Remember
Redemption’s hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as loss
Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord, I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Oh lead me
Lead me to the cross
You were as I
Tempted and tried
Human
The Word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now You’re risen
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as loss
Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord, I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Oh lead me
Lead me to the cross
I thought I’d start a new weekly tradition of posting some lyrics to a favorite hymn (much like Anne Jackson’s Friday Lyrics, except that for now, I’m gonna stick with hymns). Feel free to comment with lyrics to one of your favorite hymns or praises. In fact, I encourage it!
This song struck hard because these last few weeks I’ve wandered far from my Savior. I’ve fled from my Shepherd’s pasture and wandered off to places I’m not welcome. Yet when I cry out for Him to find me, He is faithful to come searching.
“Hymn” by Brooke Fraser
If to distant lands I scatter,
If I sail to farthest seas,
Would You find and firm and gather
‘Til I only dwell in Thee?
If I flee from greenest pastures,
Would You leave to look for me,
Forfeit glory to come after
‘Til I only dwell in Thee?
If my heart has one ambition,
If my soul one goal to seek,
This my solitary vision
‘Til I only dwell in Thee,
That I only dwell in Thee
