Meaning Behind the Words

A few weeks ago, American Idol did a show entitled "Idol Gives Back". There was a lot of hype surrounding this episode with the who's who in music attending and or performing. Anyway, the point of the show was to, other than showcasing the American Idol contestants, raise money for charity.

After the show aired, I read several articles about the songs the contestants performed and ladeeda about their performance from the judges. Whatever. I don't really care much about American Idol anymore. Ryan Seacrest annoys me and Paula and Simon just make me gag. That's beside the point. The point is, on this certain episode, the top 8 performed "Shout to the Lord" by Michael W. Smith. Here's the performance:


After watching the performance on Youtube, I wondered how many of the 8 contestants really know the true meaning of the lyrics. The words underlying the text. The thoughts behind each and every word. What does it mean to them? On the surface, it looks very simple and easy to understand.

My comfort, my shelter,
Tower of refuge and strength;
Let every breath, all that I am,
Never cease to worship You.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing;
Power and majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands;
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand;
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

There is such a different meaning and understanding when you truly believe in what you read, and I am pretty sure those contestants, maybe aside from one of them (Syesha) who truly understand what it means to "sing for joy at the work of His hands". Maybe I'm being cynical here, but it just seems odd to be singing a religious song on a show that doesn't really have any religious meaning to it whatsoever, especially when there is a man judging people's performances and not giving them any encouragement whatsoever. God would never discourage someone from trying their best.