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<\/figure>\n2023 marked the 50th anniversary of J.I. Packer\u2019s classic book,\u00a0Knowing God<\/a><\/em>. What originated as a series of magazine articles has become a tool that God has used to shape, deepen, and ignite the theology of five decades of Christians, including me. <\/p>\n Since I first read it in the late 70s, I\u2019ve quoted and referred to it more times than I can count. Kevin DeYoung called it \u201ceasily one of the most influential books of the last half century.\u201d<\/p>\n So when my son, Devon, suggested that Sovereign Grace Music<\/a> write and record an album of songs based on Packer\u2019s book, it was a no-brainer. <\/p>\n First<\/em><\/strong>, it would be an opportunity to highlight how God has used\u00a0Knowing God\u00a0<\/em>to make theology not only accessible, but delightful. Second<\/em><\/strong>, we knew Packer\u2019s book would be a rich resource for songs that connect the head and the heart. Third<\/em><\/strong>, we hoped it would cause those who have never read it to do so, and stir those who have already read it to read it again! Finally<\/em><\/strong>, good theology always leads to glad doxology.\u00a0<\/p>\n Knowing God<\/em>\u00a0isn\u2019t simply a book to read. It\u2019s songs waiting to be sung.<\/p>\n So in early 2022, we began writing them. It would be an overwhelming task to try to write a song for each of the twenty-two chapters, and would also make for an excessively long album. Instead, we based our songs on sentences, paragraphs, or chapters that inspired us. Sometimes the connection was obvious. Other times, Packer\u2019s words served as a springboard for articulating related themes.<\/p>\n It was moving to see the reaction of people who had never read the book. \u201cWhere has this book been?\u2026This is amazing!\u2026Packer communicates such deep thoughts in such a clear and understandable way!\u201d\u00a0<\/em>But those familiar with the book responded similarly. \u201cI forgot how helpful this book was\u2026His writing is so biblical and affecting\u2026Why haven\u2019t I read this every year?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n We ended up with over 100 songs, which isn\u2019t unusual when we\u2019re working on a recording. We recorded the whole album in our brand new studio and asked our friend, Lance Cashwell<\/a>, to bring his crew in to film it.<\/p>\n Here are some of the songs that made the cut after a year and a half of writing.<\/p>\n Sing<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>is a jubilant call to worship that reflects a single sentence in chapter thirteen, \u201cThe Grace of God.\u201d Packer quotes the lyrics to an Isaac Watts hymn and then says, <\/p>\n \u201cThe people who can sincerely take Watts\u2019 words on their lips will not soon tire of singing the praises of grace.\u201d (J. I. Packer,\u00a0Knowing God, <\/em>20th Anniversary ed. [Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1993], 132)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n So verse three of\u00a0Sing<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0proclaims:<\/p>\n On the final day when the Lord on high returns in majesty The One who created, redeemed, and sustains us is worthy of unending songs of worship.\u00a0<\/p>\n Christ Our Wisdom\u00a0<\/em>is an extended meditation on chapters nine and ten, in which Packer reminds us how God often hides his purposes so we learn to trust his wisdom and not our own.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe New Testament tells us that the fruit of wisdom is Christlikeness\u2014peace, and humility, and love (Jas. 3:17<\/a>)\u2014and the root of it is faith in Christ (1 Cor. 3:18<\/a>;\u00a02 Tim. 3:15<\/a>) as the manifested wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24, 30<\/a>).\u201d (p. 108)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n As we look to Christ as our wisdom, we learn to trust God even when we can\u2019t see the way ahead.\u00a0<\/p>\n Christ our wisdom, we are humbled when you hide your ways from us We Are Yours Forever<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>was our attempt to capture one of the most impacting chapters in\u00a0Knowing God,\u00a0<\/em>\u201cSons of God.\u201d Few have written so eloquently or powerfully on the privilege, reality, and effect of being adopted into God\u2019s family.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAdoption is a family idea, conceived in terms of love, and viewing God as father. In adoption, God takes us into his family and fellowship\u2014he establishes us as his children and heirs. Closeness, affection, and generosity are at the heart of the relationship. To be right with God the Judge is a great thing, but to be loved and cared for by God the Father is a greater.\u201d (Knowing God<\/em>, 207)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n We tried to express the greatness of that family relationship in this chorus:<\/p>\n Oh, what a love you have lavished on us\u00a0 All Things<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>is a simple song that reflects this section from chapter twelve, \u201cThe Love of God:\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAs believers, we find in the cross of Christ assurance that we, as individuals, are beloved of God; \u2018the Son of God . . . loved me and gave himself for me\u2019 (Gal. 2:20<\/a>). Knowing this, we are able to apply to ourselves the promise that all things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to his purpose (Rom. 8:28<\/a>). Not just some things, note, but all things!\u201d (p. 121)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The last verse of the song directs our eyes to the faithfulness of God in all things, even to the end:<\/p>\n Til the day you come in power or I reach my final hour The rest of the album includes some revised and modern hymns, a communion song, and songs that focus on living to pleasing the Lord, the Spirit\u2019s work in helping us see Christ, and the final judgment (co-written with our good friend, Colin Buchanan). And as a bonus, we\u2019ve included a new version of\u00a0Before the Throne of God Above<\/em>.<\/p>\n The album isn\u2019t out yet, but we\u2019ll be releasing a single a month starting in February 2024, and Lord willing, the rest of the album in July.<\/p>\n As you listen to and sing these songs from\u00a0Knowing God\u00a0<\/em>we pray you\u2019ll appreciate more than ever how our best theology will always lead to passionate praise.<\/p>\n And if you\u2019d like to win a free copy of Crossway\u2019s edition of Knowing God, signed by the SG Music team, leave a comment below describing what specific section of Knowing God affected you, or why you\u2019d like to have your own copy! I\u2019ll be giving away<\/em><\/strong> 5 copies in the next few weeks.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n [This is an edited version of a post that originally appeared on Christ Over All<\/a>.]<\/em><\/p>\n \t<\/div>\nThe Process<\/h2>\n
Sing<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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We will bow in wonder before the Lamb
And evermore the saints will sing
Morning and evening, everything breathing must sing, oh sing
All of creation rise up and praise the King of kings, and sing!<\/em><\/p>\nChrist Our Wisdom<\/h2>\n
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You have purposes unnumbered, each one good and glorious\u00a0
Help us trust when we grow weary, free us from our anxious thoughts\u00a0
Give us grace to see more clearly You are God and we are no<\/em>t<\/p>\nWe Are Yours Forever<\/h2>\n
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To call us Your children, daughters and sons
One with the Savior, bought by his blood\u00a0
We are yours forever<\/em><\/p>\nAll Things<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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You will keep me
You\u2019re the Author of my story, You are faithful, you are for me\u00a0
I will praise you, I will praise you<\/em><\/p>\nAdditional Songs<\/strong><\/h2>\n