The story behind this first track off my brand new album, On My Face, is simple: God has given and shown us the highest degree of sacrifice through Jesus Christ, and the only way we can even scratch the surface to giving back to Him is by living a consecrated life in simple devotional worship and adoration at His feet.
“Shalom, my peace, my righteousness. You hold my yesterday, now and forever”
These are the first lyrics of my song. Many are familiar with the Hebrew word shalom or “peace.” The common western definition of peace is the absence of conflict or war, but in Hebrew it means so much more.
“Shalom” is taken from the root word shalam, which means “to be safe in mind, body, or estate.” It speaks of completeness, fullness, or a type of wholeness that encourages you to give back — to generously re-pay something in some way.
True biblical shalom refers to an inward sense of completeness or wholeness. Although it can describe the absence of war, a majority of biblical references refer to an inner completeness and tranquility.
According to Doug Hershey, in Israel today, “when you greet someone or say goodbye, you say, Shalom.” You are literally saying, “may you be full of well-being” or “may health and prosperity be upon you.”
If this is the way we understand biblical peace, then suddenly many verses take on a whole new meaning.
“Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’”
– Numbers 6:23-26
This is ironic. God told Aaron to bless Israel with peace while they were getting ready to go conquer the Promised Land. If peace means “the absence of war,” then this doesn’t make sense, because they would soon be destroying cities. God was referring to an inner peace and completeness brought on by sharing in His countenance and His protection. That was the blessing that Israel needed! Israel rarely experienced times of outward peace, but even in the midst of battle, they had an inward rest brought on by the presence of the Lord regardless of the outward circumstances — so it should be for us as well.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” – Matthew 5:9
In this verse Jesus is not referring to mediators or political negotiators but to those who carry an inward sense of the fullness and safety that is only available through son-ship with God. In the biblical Hebrew understanding of shalom, there is a point at which you have so much shalom that it spills out from you and is repaid or rendered to others. And so, as you make others peaceful and inwardly complete, that makes you a peacemaker. Jesus said these peacemakers will be called sons of God. Jesus was called the Son of God. By sharing God’s uncontainable peace with others, we become just like Jesus. Further study of this can be found here.
“I join with Heaven’s chorus, dancing at Your throne. This is for You, Jesus. You deserve the highest praise”
I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. 2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. 4 One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.
-Psalm 145
Heaven is rejoicing in extravagant worship to our King. Why don’t we bring Heaven on earth by praising Him in the same way?
Listen and you will be blessed, go watch him worship and your heart will touched by the Holy Spirit ❤️
Such an awesome song! This is definitely one of my favorites. Keep up the good work broski!