Balm in Gilead

Psalm Psalm 24 Hey Show This week we welcome the inimitable host of the popular Lightest Form of Flogging podcast to talk about how we have changed in our beliefs about worship over the years. Jim helps us understand what flogging in any form has to do with podcasting. That settled, we move on to more substantive topics like Jim’s top music recommendations and favorite songs to sing in churc...

Psalm 23 Follow up In case you didn’t catch it, we have a new Bomb of Galahad satire article up. Lauren Daigle’s song You Say is still #1 Quick update to the Psalm model for writing worship music: The Psalm Model—Does the song follow the model of acceptable worship found in the Psalms? Lament—Does the song address God as God, bring a legitimate grievance to God rooted in the consequenc...

Revelation 21:1-4 Just a heads up, this is a bonus episode meant to be heard after episode 22 . In episode 22 we laid down a foundation on lament that we will refer back to as we review these songs. We are going to review 5 songs: a Psalm Model song and a Psalm Paraphrase song from “Lamentations” by Bifrost Arts, a Psalm Model song and a Psalm Paraphrase song from “Daughter Zion’s Woe” by Cardipho...

Psalm 22 Pattern of the Laments Address God as God Bring your legitimate grievance to God Rest in the promises of God Structure of the Laments In the book “How to Read the Psalms” by Tremper Longman III, he goes a bit more in depth into the lament structure. Not all of these are always together, but often are. Invocation Plea to God for help Complaints Confession of sin or an assertion of innocenc...

Psalm 21 Updates here at the Balmcast.com. Check out the new Resources section . The Icebreaker Newsboys and Switchfoot . Which host will reign supreme and guess the lyrics of their favorite band? It’s Bryan. Obviously. What is the Psalm Model? We have talked about the Psalm Model as a way to shape writing worship music (Type 1). The Psalms contain: Ancient Near Eastern poetry Songs written...

We’re back! Psalm of the Week Psalm 20 Main Topic: Songs, Politics, and Identity Page CXVI . Their album All and the song All Things New , and Great is Thy Faithfulness . The Porter’s Gate and their album Justice Songs , including the track We Will Make No Peace with Oppression . Also, the album Lament Songs with the track Wake Up, Jesus which references Mark 4 . We also talk about the...

Psalm 19 What We’re Listening To Bryan: Covers by Switchfoot   Grant: The Corner Room Psalms 120-134 playlist MLB Security Unable To Tackle Virtual Streaker (Babylon Bee) Main Topic – Song Comparison Raise a Hallelujah – Bethel Bethel cures racism with witchcraft? Raise a Hallelujah (Studio Version) by Bethel Music, Jonathan David Helser, Melissa Helser   Worchicken ver...

Psalm 18 Follow Up Grant had asked Bryan last episode why 150 songs was not enough. Bryan had actually said that 150 songs were enough. Either way, he never answered the question. Until now, and you won’t believe reason #5! Intro Some podcasts play games. But not us! We tackle an in-person feedback from one of our listeners on singability and understandability as important for worship music....

On this episode of the Balm in Gilead podcast… Psalm 17 Follow-up A quick apology to one of our favorite listeners and another listener writes in to speak about the difference between beauty and excellence resulting in some modifications to our system. Also, Bryan talks more about beauty and excellence while Grant adds some ironically inane comments. Main Topic A continuation of last episode...

Psalm 16 Follow up A couple points of follow up. To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  – Romans 1:7 (not Romans 1:1) “Oh brother or sister, God calls us to worship, but in many instances we are an entertainment just running a poor second to the theaters. That is where we are, even in the...

We start out with a new segment before diving into discussing the news about the frontman for Hawk Nelson leaving his idea of Christianity and the Supreme Court’s recent decision to continue restricting churches from meeting because they see them as entertainment. Psalm 15 The Bomb of Galahad Cyberterrorists Hacked into Chick-fil-A’s Radio, Changing the CCM Muzak to Popular Secular Love Song...

Psalm 14 But first Gilead Sciences – Open Letter from Chairman and CEO Daniel O’Day. The Meat of It A church pays money, called royalties, to a song’s writer(s) through their CCLI license. The “Royalties Argument” says that a song’s author matters, despite a song’s content, as long as the song is not in the public domain. By singing Bethel, Elevation, and Hillso...

Recently, Christian worship music leader Jeremy Riddle posted : “I find myself increasingly troubled when I look at western Christian culture and see such a startling lack of representation or instruction on VITAL teachings in scripture; particularly the passages that warn and admonish.” Jeremy Riddle’s Facebook profile Bryan and Grant discuss why this is so significant and Jerem...

Psalm of the Week – Psalm 12 Intro Starting things off, we briefly discuss two fairly popular songs and ask some questions of the lyrics. Through Your Eyes You love me even when I fall apart I can’t explain it That’s just who you are Don’t want perfection You just want my heart Britt Nicole 1 Peter 1:14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your forme...

1 Chronicles 29:10-13 Your hosts discuss the second half of Type 2 songs (those that are fun to listen to and have Christian themes) that are too often thought of as Type 1 songs (Songs suitable for worship). Songs Discussed Song links to Song.link Fear Is a Liar You Got This Not Today Good Grace Hold Me We also briefly mention So Will I , Stand in Your Love , Raise a Hallelujah , and Up Again Che...

This is part 1 of a two part study of 12 Type 1 songs (that is usually sung in worship) that really ought to be more Type 2 (that is songs with Christian themes, but not suitable for worship). Psalm 11 On Fear Fear is legitimate. There are real things that are reasonable to fear. Ultimately, we need not fear anything because God is sovereign, but we are fallen and we do fear. I plan on doing an ep...

Psalm 10 This week, your hosts open by talking about the top 10 streamed Christian songs that Spotify put out a little bit ago. Then we dive into our main topic—discussing how Jesus is Prophet, Priest, and King. To show this, we read a lot of Scripture. Top 10 Christian Songs Streamed on Spotify (source: Disrn ) “You Say” – Lauren Daigle “Reckless Love” – Cory A...

Psalm 9 Songs, generally, should say the word “sin.” If it doesn’t it should at least talk about sin in Biblical terminology. If you don’t acknowledge sin, it leaves out the reason for the gospel. While more songs should talk about sin, not every one needs to. Without acknowledging sin, we cannot worship. Quote from C.J. Mahaney (who quotes John Stott), used by Shai Linne a...

Bryan and Grant start by reviewing two collaborations that pair artists that are a bit off with those who are ? Nobody by Casting Crowns ft Matthew West Echo by Elevation Worship ft Tauren Wells Main topic Singing is holistic singing takes mental effort singing takes physical effort singing takes creative effort singing takes emotional effort Bible Passages Exodus 15 – song after Red Sea cro...

Intro KJV Song 5:4 and direct translation. Psalm 119:11 Deuteronomy 6:5 Mark 12:30 Worship is Holistic The Shema – Deuteronomy 6 The Greatest Commandment – Mark 12 The Woman at the Well – John 4 Living Sacrifices – Romans 12 Four vehicles of worship We can worship God with our thoughts, with our deeds, with our attitudes, and with our devotion.  There is a complex over...

Liturgy—your church has one whether you know about it or not. This week we discuss liturgy and how the Psalms specifically set up what your intrepid hosts believe to be a good one. Song of preparation* Call to worship Song of adoration Confession of sin Assurance of pardon Confession of lament Assurance of comfort Profession of faith Offering of thanksgiving Song of supplication  Preparation...

This week, Bryan shares the song he wrote Snow Fall Gentle after losing his daughter Kit to a congenital heart defect. Kathleen “Kit” Felicity Emerson May 22, 2019 – November 9, 2019 The day we learned she had a congenital heart defect, it snowed. The day we buried her, it snowed. The day I wrote this song, it snowed. Verse 1 I watch the snow fall gentle on The empty street below...

Psalm Reading: Psalm 5 The kids ruined my 2019 playlist, but here it is anyway . Our main topic is working through 5 (actually 6) categories of songs from the point of what is appropriate for church worship. Without further ado, here is the official list. Type 0 : The Psalms. Always appropriate for church use, no question. Type 1 : Songs meant for congregational worship Type 2 : Songs with explici...

This week is a special episode not like our others. We take a moment to mourn the loss of Bryan’s daughter Kit. Links Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7ChOLzfRuZcKRqXxYL3d9H

This is the Hard Love episode. We’re not fans, but we bring it up to show the difference between Christian music and Christian-sounding music. Send your Love/Hate mail to thereis at balmcast.com Links I Surrender Some | The Babylon Bee https://babylonbee.com/news/hymnals-updated-surrender-lyric Grace Gracefully Graces Me (have you watched this yet?) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs...