Why is Veritas releasing an album? Why would we write music for the church? Maybe even more basic—why do we even sing songs in church?

Before Jesus changed my life, I used to write, sing, and release music because I wanted to make a name for myself. This is ironic, to say the least, because I am not talented enough to make a name for myself via trumpet, music, arranging, songwriting, or anything for that matter! But, it still stands that regardless of the lack of talent, I wanted to be known and loved. Is that too much to ask for? Well, the answer is no…it is at the deepest core of who we are by nature. We were made to know and be known—love and be loved—by God. The Apostle John, in his first letter, writes:

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)

Therefore, it is a Godly and honorable desire to seek love. However, the only way that love we so desperately seek will truly satisfy is through the love of Jesus. And, we can most profoundly know the love of Jesus by seeking Him in the Word of God because He IS the Word (John 1:14, Revelation 19:13).

Okay, Brett—get to the point! Why are a bunch of mediocre musicians wanting to write music for Veritas Church?

Because God tells us to in scripture! We must take every single thought, idea, emotion, and perception of what worship through singing is about and put it underneath the Word of God. Are we submitting to the Word of God during our church services or are we submitting to our own preferences? I pray we would be a people who first and foremost are in love with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as expressed in the Word of God (Genesis 1:3, John 1:14, Ephesians 6:17). Having an accurate and comprehensive view of God is what fuels our worship!

Our God, through His word, spoke all of creation into existence (Genesis 1:3), became the embodied Word in Jesus (John 1:14), and is most acutely and effectively experienced through the Spirit-inspired word of God (1 Timothy 3:16, Ephesians 6:17). I pray, even as I am writing this and reviewing what I have written thus far, that every single piece of information is solely based on God’s word and not my own opinions…I need to be called out otherwise! And, in similar measure, I pray that our services and our singing would be a biblical (not preferential) representation of worship, offering, and sacrifice to our Savior!

Therefore, what does scripture say about why we write and sing music? Let’s see what God says to Moses after He gave him the ten commandments, also known as the law of the Lord, or God’s word to His people. Deuteronomy 31:19-22 says:

“Now therefore write this song and teach it to the people of Israel. Put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the people of Israel. For when I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, which I swore to give to their fathers, and they have eaten and are full and grown fat, they will turn to other gods and serve them, and despise me and break my covenant. And when many evils and troubles have come upon them, this song shall confront them as a witness (for it will live unforgotten in the mouths of their offspring). For I know what they are inclined to do even today, before I have brought them into the land that I swore to give.” So Moses wrote this song the same day and taught it to the people of Israel.

After directly giving the people of Israel His law, or His word, God tells Moses to write a song to help the people remember Him when, not if, they end up drifting from Him into foolishness. God wants to confront us through song so that we would remember His love, care, and provision for us! Can you remember songs that stick with you from childhood? Jesus Loves Me? This Little Light of Mine? Father Abraham? Deep and Wide? How many of these songs really lit your heart on fire? How many of you learned these songs, but Jesus was still not real to you for quite some time? What if the words of these songs truly confronted us—and in turn, our children—in a life-transforming sort of way? How remarkable of a witness would we be to the glory and beauty of the name of Jesus?!?

Our prayer is that the words found in these songs would not just accompany sweet or catchy melodies to your ears but that they would be convicting and comforting truths for your soul to remember the magnificent God who saved you. That your minds would be stimulated and hearts affected by the word of Christ dwelling more richly in you (Colossians 3:16).

God wants you to delight in Him and His word (Psalm 1:1-3)—through the best and the worst of times—and singing truths of scripture is such a beautiful way to respond and ascribe worth to the only God worthy of our praise (Psalm 18:3).

Here are some of the prayers we are praying over you as your hearts are stirred to worship through these songs:

We pray that by listening to the truth in each of these songs, you—like the people of Israel—would not just come back from periods of wandering, but would remain delighted and captivated and charmed by the truth of who God is and what He has done. That God’s Word would keep you from running after other founts and desires that can’t give true satisfaction and joy (No Other Fount – Track 1).

That you would have a more street-level understanding of sovereignty—that He truly has the whole world, every single joy and challenge in your life, in His hands (You Hold the World – Track 2) because you vividly and palpably believe and trust in the resurrection of Jesus—His victory over sin and death and the crushing of the serpent's head (Victorious – Track 3). That Jesus has done this for His bride—you and me—the Church.

That He would gather His people once and for all (Once and For All – Track 4) and that each one of these heart-penetrating truths would make us a body of believers who shout it, sing it, preach it until the whole earth has heard that Jesus is THE hope of the world (Nothing But the Blood (Hope of the World) – Track 5)!

So, back to the original question: why do we sing songs?

We pray singing these songs would result in you feeling more known, loved, and satisfied than you ever dared dream. That your hunger for the Word would be elevated. That your name and your reputation would no longer be your interest, but that showcasing the name of Jesus would be the essence of who you are! Why? (cue up the music)...For the Bible tells me so 🙂

These songs were written for you, Veritas Church, to enhance your love, gratitude, and delight in God—He is the prize!

The first single of the EP, No Other Fount, is available now on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or wherever you listen to music.