The One I Praise

1. The One I Praise 

I picked this one for the title track because I think it aptly describes the heart of this project - simply, to praise. Some of these songs are fairly serious, others are more fun - but all have the common purpose of praising God. 

2. Armor of God 

I wrote this one for a kid's program several years ago, at Beth's request. We came up with hand motions for it, but it was always tough for me to do them and play piano at the same time!. You'll have to ask Carla to show you. 

3. Do Right 

Genesis 4:7 really struck me and is the basis for this song. God tells Cain, in essence, that he needs to "do right" in order to be right, in order to truly feel in line with God's design and plan. And it hit me that that really is the basis of what we call our conscience - that inner voice that lets us know when we're "doing right" and when we're not. 

4. All Things 

Obviously, this comes out of Philippians 4:13. I think anyone that's been a Christian for any amount of time has experienced the need to lean on the promise of this verse. 

5. Ev'rybody Needs to Know 

The CUMC choir sang this one first, many years ago. I re-worked it a bit, but the bulk of it is the same as the original, with an added bit of fun at the piano. 

6. Ev'rything I Need 

This is one of my all-time favorite songs to sing and play... probably because I love playing the Blues. I think Stan and I first did this song on a Sunday morning wearing sunglasses... 

7. David's Heart - Doxology Medley 

At Pastor's request, I wrote this new tune for the Doxology, and it grew to be a real blessing of praise in our times of worship. I recently began composing the instrumental portion, and decided to call it David's Heart, since it seemed to capture what I sensed in much of David's writing - a feeling of loneliness, being picked on and abandoned... but always ending with a song of praise. The change from minor to major chording was an attempt to express David's gift for recognizing God's presence even in the darkest times. Adding the Doxology seemed to be a perfect way to verbalize the feeling of praise. 

8. My God Knows What I Need 

I sometimes struggle believing all of these words, but I know the Bible is very clear about it. God does know what we need, and He does have our best interest at heart. Our job is simply to trust Him - which, admittedly, is sometimes much easier said than done. 

9. You Set Me Free 

Laura wrote these words and approached me about setting them to music. I struggled for quite a while with it, but then it all seemed to just fall into place. For the CD, I wanted to keep it simple and let the profound message in the words come through. Thank you, Laura, for letting me put your words to music, and for allowing it to be part of this project. Special thanks, also, to Courtney for a truly inspired oboe addition! 

10. Noah the Good 

Originally written as a take-off of a popular oldie, we discovered that the current copyright holders wouldn't allow the music to be used with different words... So, I finally sat down and came up with a new tune. I had no idea it would end up with a "big band swing" feel. For those of you who originally heard it to the other tune, I hope you can adjust, and that you like this version as well! 

11. Psalm 89 

Plain and simple, straight out of the Psalm. There is none like Him anywhere. 

12. Your Love 

There are times when I'm overwhelmed by the magnitude and purity of love that I feel. This song is a simple response to that love. 

13. Psalm 92 

Another "straight from the Psalms" song. 

14. The One I Praise - Reprise 

This is a "simplified" version of the title track, hopefully one that allows you to meditate on the holiness and worthiness of God.