FredMcKinnon.Com

Hey Everyone,

Today’s post is a continuation of an ongoing, yet erratic series that started several weeks ago with my original post where I asked the question, “What Makes a Great Worship Song”?

Since then, we’ve discussed the #1, #2, and #3 top worship songs as reported by CCLI in the USA as of August 2008. Over the next week or two, I’d like for us to come together here on the blog and discuss more of the “Top Worship Songs” according to the most recent, August 2008 CCLI Survey.

Previous Songs:

#1. How Great is our God
#2. Blessed Be Your Name
#3. Here I Am To Worship

CCLI Top 25 Songs

#4: “Open the Eyes of My Heart”
by Paul Baloche

This is definitely one of the most popular songs worldwide. It’s lower #4 spot is reflective in my own thoughts as this one is definitely used the least of the Top 4 in our worship services.

Singable?
Paul Baloche is an incredibly gifted songwriter and knows how to craft a singable melody.  The opening lines are simple and repetitive.

“Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.  Open the eyes of my heart.  I want to see You.  I want to see You.”

The Chorus and Bridge are similarly repetitive and the melodic line is easy to sing.

Theology and Lyrics
This song isn’t saturated with deep theology, but two truths about God are presented clearly:
1.  His being “high and lifted up”
2.  His being “holy”

(see Isaiah 6:1-3 @ YouVersion.Com)

This song brings these two theological statements together with a personal declaration of our desire to have our “eyes opened to see” … a prayer that should always be present in our hearts.

Lyrically the song offers a personal plea … that our eyes be opened.  Even the “high and lifted up” Chorus is a continuation of this personal plea.  With the exception of the Bridge which declares “Holy, Holy, Holy”, the song is more of a personal request than adoration or worship directly to God.  There are some that argue songs like this have no place in our corporate worship … that our music should be full of theology.  Although I agree theology is important, I believe a song like this is vital in ‘preparing’ a worshiper’s heart and helping them engage with God on a more personal level.  The song could be considered a prayer, actually, and I’ve not heard anyone proclaiming that we need to remove prayer from our worship services.  Balance is the key.

Accessibility?
As I’ve said before, I don’t think many songs will make the Top 5 that aren’t accessible.  A few easy chords and easy arrangement make this song special whether it’s a full praise band or a simple guitar or keyboard version.

Personal Arrangement:

As many have discovered, the Bridge segues perfectly into the traditional hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy”, though you may want to start “Open the Eyes of My Heart” a whole step lower to prevent the hymn from being too high.

Singable? Theology? Lyrics? Simplicity? Accessibility?
What are YOUR thoughts?