Dear Subscribers,

In this month's edition of the Word Made Music newsletter, we are talking about the song "I Speak Jesus" by Here Be Lions. Click here to listen to the song.

Overall

Ranking System

Lyric Type: 1 Bible: Reflective - 2 Bibles: Inspirational 3 Bibles: Poetic - 4 Bibles: Spiritual - 5 Bibles: Doctrinal

Biblical Accuracy: 1 Bible: Dangerous - 2 Bibles: Questionable - 3 Bibles: Ambiguous - 4 Bibles: Biblically Sound - 5 Bibles: Word for Word Scripture

Musicality: 1 Bible: Beginner - 2 Bibles: Moderate - 3 Bibles: Advanced - 4 Bibles: Expert - 5 Bibles: Legend

Our analysis includes:

- Pros and cons of the songs lyrics and their alignment with the Bible.

- The theological theme found in the song.

- The musicality behind the song and what it takes to play it well.

- Insights from the artist about the inspiration behind "I Speak Jesus."

Lyric Type

Cons:

• The lyrics are more on the simple side and don’t offer a lot of theological substance about the character of God.

• It is self-focused which could make it more difficult for some to sing truthfully.

• Declarative statements are made, but not without their share of issues.

Pros:

• The lyrics do say a lot about the power of Jesus’ name which we will talk about more in depth in the biblical accuracy section.

• Most people can connect with the statements made in this song as it is intended to be a cry for restoration.

Biblical Accuracy

I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
Over every heart and every mind
'Cause I know there is peace within Your presence
I speak Jesus

• What does it mean to “speak” the name of Jesus “over” a situation and is it biblical? Does it involve simply vocalizing His name while praying for a situation, praying in His name, or repeatedly saying His name like a mantra

• When someone expresses the desire to "speak the name of Jesus," it raises these questions. Although the bridge of the song clarifies the context, the statement can be misleading if not properly understood. It is argued that simply speaking the name of Jesus without understanding its power is insufficient. Rather than a mere declaration, it is suggested that the song could be more beneficial by explaining why Jesus' name is potent

• This critique emphasizes the importance of critically evaluating lyrics, avoiding the use of "Christianese," and expecting listeners to draw accurate theological conclusions. The reference to Acts 19:11-20 is brought up, illustrating that using Jesus' name as a magical incantation, as the sons of Sceva attempted, is misguided. The story emphasizes that Jesus' name is not a tool for power but a way of life, requiring obedience to His teachings and a genuine belief in who He is.

• Additionally, a perspective is presented on praying in the name of Jesus based on Philippians 2:6-11, which asserts the supremacy of Jesus' name and His lordship. This interpretation suggests that believers can pray with authority in the name of Jesus, acknowledging His elevated status and approaching God through Him. It emphasizes the assurance that God hears prayers when offered in the name of Jesus, as believers come before Him covered in Christ according to Colossians 3:3.

I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
'Til every dark addiction starts to break
Declaring there is hope and there is freedom
I speak Jesus

'Cause Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life
Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like a fire

• The power of Jesus' name lies not merely in the specific word "Jesus" but in the profound meaning encapsulated in His name, as described in Philippians 2:6-11. When Jesus' name is invoked, individuals often ponder the identity of this man, his actions on behalf of humanity, and embark on a journey to comprehend how to follow Him and break free from personal bondage and chains. This exemplifies the transformative power inherent in the name of Jesus. A person's entire life and character are intricately woven into their name. For instance, when you hear your mother or father's name, it triggers thoughts encompassing everything known about them – from the lessons they imparted, their character, to how they interacted with others and with you.

• Furthermore, the desire is expressed for the Spirit of God to burn within us like a fire. However, a crucial clarification is made: it is not Jesus' role to burn within us, but rather the Holy Spirit serves this purpose, convicting us of our sins and, akin to a fire, consuming our transgressions. It is emphasized that misattributing characteristics to Jesus, such as the role of burning within us, is inaccurate.

• This distinction is pivotal to prevent confusion about the distinct roles of the Trinity. While God's spirit is metaphorically depicted as a fire in the Bible (Acts 2:3; Exodus 40:38; 2 Chronicles 7:1), Jesus is portrayed as a man. Though Jesus mentioned casting fire on the earth in Luke 12:49, he did not claim to be the fire burning on the earth. Instead, Jesus serves as the precursor to the Holy Spirit entering the lives of believers, convicting them of their sins. The songwriter's attempt to draw a correlation suggests that when one believes in Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to reside within, seeking to purify anything contrary to God. However, this interpretation might not be evident without a deliberate effort to engage with the lyrics from a biblical perspective, potentially leading to theological misunderstandings.

I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
Over fear and all anxiety
To every soul held captive by depression
I speak Jesus

'Cause Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life
Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like the fire

Shout Jesus from the mountains
Jesus in the streets
Jesus in the darkness over every enemy
Jesus for my family
I speak the holy name
Jesus, oh

Shout Jesus from the mountains
Jesus in the streets
Jesus in the darkness over every enemy
Jesus for my family
I speak the holy name
Jesus (Jesus)

• Now, the song shifts from speaking the name of Jesus “over” specific people and circumstances to evangelizing the name of Jesus to the world. This is the appropriate use of the name of Jesus. We are to make His name known to the world and in knowing His name is knowing His life, the things He said, the things He taught, and His mission to save the world from their sins. This should be every believers pursuit, to make His name known throughout the world.

'Cause Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life
Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like a fire

Your name is power (Your name is power)
Your name is healing (Your name is healing)
Your name is life (You are my life)
Break every stronghold (break every stronghold)
Shine through the shadows
Burn like a fire

I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
Over every heart and every mind
'Cause I know there is peace within Your presence
I speak Jesus

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Jesse Reeves / Dustin Smith / Abby Benton / Carlene Prince / Raina Pratt

I Speak Jesus lyrics © Integrity's Praise! Music, All Essential Music, For Me And My House Songs

Theological Themes

When should we sing this song?

The power that is found in declaring the name of Jesus is the main theme to this song. We wouldn’t suggest singing this song in a corporate setting simply because it is too difficult to wade through the theological hoops being setup.

Musicality

This song exhibits a moderate level of musicality, especially in the bridge where the chord changes demand careful attention from the musician to stay in sync. The bass movement in the bridge contributes to the song's grandiose sound during its build-up, incorporating leading tones in the chorus for added interest. While the initial piano line is relatively simple, suitable for beginners, its integration with other instruments creates a rich sonic quality aligned with contemporary Christian standards.

Once the song kicks in, the drums follow a popular pattern, notably heard in Maverick City's music and increasingly prominent in Contemporary Christian Music (CCM). Despite not being overly complex, it provides a great opportunity for beginner musicians to play.

Vocally, the song presents a different challenge. Starting in one register and ascending to a higher register in the bridge before the chorus is typical of CCM music. Singers need to be cautious to avoid quick vocal fatigue due to this vocal range variation.

Are you having trouble learning the parts to this song? Worship Online is an incredible tool for those that want to learn the more difficult parts of a song. It’s also a great resource for worship teams that need to learn their parts quickly and efficiently. You know what’s even better? When you can get access to these resources with a 10% discount! Just click the link below and enter promo code 10FORMYFRIENDS to get your discount today!

Behind the Song

"The songs on this project have a sense of simplicity - almost childlike," explains Dustin Smith. "As writers, we can have a tendency to overcomplicate everything. It is good to do our best when writing songs to describe Jesus in the most awesome and majestic ways possible. But at the end of the day, the words all fail to compare to His greatness. Sometimes the best thing we can do is say His name and be captured again by the wonder of who He is. These songs are simple truths that have become powerful declarations. Just speaking the name of Jesus over our families, our communities, and our situations are the most effective thing we can do."

The title track of the EP came together as quickly as the collective group of Smith, Jesse Reeves, Carlene Prince, Raina Pratt, Kristen Dutton, and Abby Benton gathered to write.

"The song came as easy as it sounds," shares Smith. "Jesse Reeves prayed over us before we started writing and just said, 'I just want to speak the name of Jesus over these people.' That was it. The whole prayer. Nothing more. Nothing less. When we went to write I asked if we could write a song based on his prayer. He said, 'all I did was say the name of Jesus.' And that is all I want to say over my congregation, over my family, over my sickness, over depression and anxiety. All we needed was a melody because we already had the most powerful word...Jesus. There is mighty power in the name of Jesus."

(2019, September 23). Here Be Lions Releases Sophomore Project – I Speak Jesus EP – Available Now. Integrity Music. https://www.integritymusic.com/news/2019/9/23/here-be-lions-releases-sophomore-project-i-speak-jesus-ep-available-now

Get in Touch

If you have any feedback, suggestions, or questions about this issue or if there's a specific Christian song you'd like us to feature in a future edition, please don't hesitate to get in touch. You can connect with us on Facebook or Instagram, just look up Word Made Music.

Thank you for being a part of the Word Made Music community. Together, we'll continue to explore the profound connection between music and faith and empower the next generation of worship pastors and church musicians to consider the theology behind the songs we sing in church.

Blessings,

Thomas Brown

Founder of Word Made Music