Here is a really good song.

I’m not really the best person to ask though. I think most songs are good. I like, for example, “Moving Up to Gloryland” by the Cathedrals. I think its a good song! I think “That Ain’t My Truck” is a fun number. So really, I’m not the person to ask.

But nobody is asking. I just decided to say. This song, “Death in His Grave,” by cool worship leader John Mark McMillan, has a very nice sound, very good lyrics, and a surprising and powerful kick-it bridge. Here is the performance video.

Death In His Grave (Performance Video) from john mark mcmillan on Vimeo.

I have to admit, I don’t know much about John Mark. I tried to fish around and find discussions about his theology, but nothing definitive was uncovered. That said, the lyrics of this song are well-smithed and sound.

Verse 1
Though the earth cried out for blood
Satisfied her hunger was
Billows calmed on raging seas
For the souls of men she craved
Sun and moon from balcony
Turned their head in disbelief
Precious Love would taste the sting
Disfigured and disdained

The poetic value of the song is apparent from line two, which ends in a linking verb. McMillan is painting a picture for worshippers to see the overwhelming nature of death. The earth and the seas cry out for the blood and souls of people. Then, in the latter part of the verse, from high above the sun and moon turn their eyes away. Why? Because “Precious Love” – aka Jesus Christ – is tasting the same fate as all men. Death. But McMillan uses two descriptive, picturesque terms to liven up the deathly reality: disfigured and disdained. Well done.

Chorus
On Friday a thief on Sunday a King
Laid down in grief but woke with the keys
Of hell on that day the first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ laid death in His grave

Word-smithing is an important art. “On Friday a thief on Sunday a King” is a topnotch artful lyric. It evokes the emotion that comes from the connection of the excellent attributes of Jesus Christ. In this case, His total humility and His absolute exaltation kiss on a weekend. For more of that kind of theological reflection, read Jonathan Edward’s sermon The Excellencies of Christ.

Verse 2
So three days in darkness slept
The Morning Son of righteousness
But rose to shame the throws of death
And overturn His rule
Now daughters and the sons of men
Would pay not their dues again
The debt of blood they owed was rent
When the day rolled a new

Of Jesus Christ, John Mark says He “slept” three days. Paul also uses “sleep” to speak of the death of believers (I Thess 4 for example), since after all, God’s plan to resurrect is sure and true. Jesus “rose to shame the throws of death.”

I could say of this line that it is well-composed, but that is not enough. Its poetry points to the reality of what Christ has accomplished on the cross and in His resurrection to destroy the power of death over the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve. It evokes not simply admiration for clever wording, but a deep sense of appreciation and worship to the King of glory.

Bridge
He has cheated hell and seated us above the fall
In desperate places He paid our wages
One time once and for all

As God’s people we are “seated…above the fall.” Through Christ our wages are paid, and the payment is “once and for all,” as the writer of Hebrews makes abundantly clear.

Obviously this song would not fly in most traditional churches. Even Tomlin-oriented churches might struggle with the alternative rhythm and clever wording. But to those Christians willing to give this song a chance, it can be a great tool of worship. As John Mark McMillan says of his writing, it gives us a language. It helps us to say to the Lord the word-less feelings that move about our hearts.

© 2008 Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.) John Mark McMillan