Track 1:  A Learnéd Tongue (doom metal, but with acoustic guitar)

This song (originally released on Twilight of the Gods) is based on Isaiah 50:4, "The Lord has given me an educated tongue so that I may know how to sustain with a word one who is weary.  He rouses early, early he rouses my ear so that I may listen as if to a teacher."
 

I am well-schooled in math, you see,
In science and in history
Since wide-spread learning’s nothing new
In this I am not unlike you
 
But what I do with knowledge vast
The God Who made my brain will ask
I use it to acquire more wealth
That I may satisfy myself
 
My learnéd tongue is not for this
But a humble purpose I have missed
It serves to lift the weary soul
And with a word to make it whole
 
The wisdom of the ages now
Just raises me among the proud
So I can judge my fellow man
And looking down upon them stand
 
My learnéd tongue is not for this
But a humble purpose I have missed
It serves to lift the weary soul
And with a word to make it whole
 
How can I use all that I know
That I may God’s own wisdom show
The one true teacher I must hear
When morning comes and draws me near
 
My learnéd tongue was made for this
A humble purpose I can’t miss
It serves to lift the weary soul
And with a word to make it whole
 
My tongue lifts up the weary soul
And with God’s word can make it whole

Track 2:  A Man Unliked (doom metal, but with acoustic guitar)

One of my Sunday School teachers when I was in high school asked us to imagine seeing at Judgment Day a friend with whom we had not shared the gospel.  It was a powerful motivator for evangelism.  This song was originally released on Twilight of the Gods.
 

There was a man did me no harm
I simply did not like his way
His words and thoughts, they rubbed me wrong
Apart from him I tried to stay
 
With friends I talked of vital truths
And strengthened them to keep their faith
I shared Christ’s gospel far and wide
But I avoided this man’s face
 
I simply did not like this man
For we were not at all the same
Our tastes, our views were far apart
And social comfort was my aim
 
I stood one day before God’s throne
And with a thrill eyed my reward
I heard Him say, “Well done, my son,”
And started forth toward my Lord
 
But then I saw this unliked man
His face was ashen with the truth
Of where eternity he’d spend
And nothing could his wracked soul soothe
 
Our eyes met as we parted ways
His voice trailed off into the mist
“You knew me all those years, so why
Did you not ever speak of this?”

Track 3:  If I Make My Bed (doom metal, but with acoustic guitar)

I based these lyrics on Psalm 139.  This song was originally released on Things Revealed.
 

You know me, Lord, when I sit and arise
My ways are all set forth before Your eyes
I have not even thought a word to say
That is to you not clear as shining day
 
You hem me in around, before, behind
Such knowledge is too great for my poor mind
Oh, is there any place that I can go
A place to hide from One Who knows me so?
 
If I make my bed within the depths, You’re there
Or if my lungs should fill with heavenly air
If I with wings should fly on morning’s sky
Or in the sea’s dark waters I should lie
Though life to me should seem unending night
To You all darkness shines in brilliant light
 
You know my inner parts, You knit me whole
And I am fearful made, so knows my soul
No part of me was hidden from Your gaze
And in Your book are written all my days
 
If I make my bed within the depths, You’re there
Or if my lungs should fill with heav’nly air
If I with wings should fly on morning’s sky
Or in the sea’s dark waters I should lie
Though life to me should seem unending night
To You all darkness shines in brilliant light
 
Search me, O God, and know my thoughts and heart
And if in me there even be one part
That grieves You, cut it out, cast it away
And lead me in the everlasting way
 
If I make my bed within the depths, You’re there
Or if my lungs should fill with heav’nly air
If I with wings should fly on morning’s sky
Or in the sea’s dark waters I should lie
Though life to me should seem unending night
To You all darkness shines in brilliant light
 
Though life to me should seem unending night
To You all darkness shines in brilliant light

Track 4:  Things Revealed (doom metal, but with acoustic guitar)

The idea of all aspects of our lives being one day revealed can strike fear into our hearts, but when you consider that God already knows our deepest secrets and, as Paul points out in Romans 5:8, sent Jesus to die for us while we were still sinners, there is actually much to look forward to on that day.  This song was originally released on Things Revealed.
 

We fear the things revealed on Judgment Day
The curtain of our lives now pulled away
But God already knows our every thought
And still our souls with His own blood He bought
 
When we at last know just as we are known
We’ll stand, but not in dread, before His throne
But in the trembling awe both of His grace
And of His radiant love
When at last we see His face
 
The sins and failures, weaknesses and pain
We tried so hard to hide and cleanse their stain
Made truly clean, no blemish we will show
As by His crimson flow we’re white as snow
 
When we at last know just as we are known
We’ll stand, but not in dread, before His throne
But in the trembling awe both of His grace
And of His radiant love
When at last we see His face
 
No more the tapestry of our false pride
For we will live blood-washed and sanctified
The wounds to hearts and bodies fully healed
We enter now true life by Him revealed
 
When we at last know just as we are known
We’ll stand, but not in dread, before His throne
But in the trembling awe both of His grace
And of His radiant love
When at last we see His face
 
Then in the trembling awe both of His grace
And of His radiant love
At last we’ll see His face

Track 5:  Jericho Falls (acoustic rock)

The sixth chapter of the Old Testament book of Joshua describes the fall of Jericho.  I have to admit, this is one of my favorites!  It was originally released on Heavenly Host.
 

The stamp of armies marching
The shaking of the ground
Sends fear to all who hear it
Death’s unavoidable sound
 
Yet one sound was far worse
Not the clash of sword on shield
But the war cry God ordained
That made a city yield
 
March
You soldiers
Priests, blow the trumpets of horn
Speak
Not one word
Jericho falls to the Lord
 
Six days did Joshua
Just as the Lord decreed
The men all held their tongues
To God’s word paid close heed
 
March
You soldiers
Priests, blow the trumpets of horn
Speak
Not one word
Jericho falls to the Lord
 
Then on the seventh day
They did as done before
But as they marched they let loose
A shout with def ning roar
 
March
You soldiers
Priests, blow the trumpets of horn
Shout
With power
Jericho falls to the Lord
 
The city’s walls fell flat
And Joshua’s troops marched in
The city had been taken
With a thun dring martial din
 
March
You soldiers
Priests, blow the trumpets of horn
Shout
With power
Jericho falls to the Lord
 
Shout
With power
Jericho falls to the Lord
 
Jericho falls
 
To the LORD!

Track 6:  Ta Panta Christos (doom metal, but with acoustic guitar)

The track with the non-English title on the album Heavenly Host is "Ta Panta Christos," which comes from Colossians 3:11, where we find the phrase ta panta kai en pasin Christos, which means "all things and in all things Christ."  For the sake of the rhythm in the verses, I added the Greek word ho, which basically means "the."
 

For most of mankind’s history
To conquer was war’s goal
Yet when He conquered death and hell
Christ freed the human soul
 
And as the victor gave us all
A way to live new life
As one within His gracious realm
Set free at last from strife
 
Ta panta kai en pasin ho Christos
All things are Christ and Christ now dwells in all
He is the One from whom all blessing flows
Which in His blood restores us from our fall
 
Yet still we seek to wage our wars
For fame, security
And only keep our eyes upon
The paltry things we see
 
Ta panta kai en pasin ho Christos
All things are Christ and Christ now dwells in all
He is the One from whom all blessing flows
Which in His blood restores us from our fall
 
You say you are His follower
And so you think you are
Is Jesus Christ your all in all
Or do you wander far
 
To fight your battles on your own
With your own strength prevail
My friend, such wisdom leads to death
For you must surely fail
 
Ta panta kai en pasin ho Christos
All things are Christ and Christ now dwells in all
He is the One from whom all blessing flows
Which in His blood restores us from our fall
 
Ta panta kai en pasin ho Christos
All things are Christ and Christ now dwells in all
He is the One from whom all blessing flows
Which in His blood restores us from our fall

Track 7:  Birth (acoustic rock)

This song was originally released on Praise of Metal.
 

I sing Your praises at the break of day
I praise You when I start on some new way
I sing Your glory when adventure starts
It’s You I glorify with all my heart
 
Apart from You no step is worth the taking
Nor any grand adventure worth the making
So at the start of each new undertaking
My soundtrack will be filled with praise for You
 
When new relationships begin to form
I give deep gratitude to You, my Lord
And when new life draws its first crying breath
My loving praise bursts forth from my heart’s depth
 
Apart from You no step is worth the taking
Nor any grand adventure worth the making
So at the start of each new undertaking
My soundtrack will be filled with praise for You
 
New jobs, new homes, new people, sights, and sounds
Our life at every turn with new abounds
Since You have told us You make all things new
At each beginning I will sing of You
 
Apart from You no step is worth the taking
Nor any grand adventure worth the making
So at the start of each new undertaking
My soundtrack will be filled with praise for You
 
Apart from You no step is worth the taking
Nor any grand adventure worth the making
So at the start of each new undertaking
My soundtrack will be filled with praise for You

Track 8:  Memento Mori (acoustic rock)

The song with the non-English title for the album Praise of Metal is "Memento Mori," which is Latin for "remember that you will die."  The phrase Christus Rex means "Christ is king."  I have actually given a lot of thought to the idea explored in this song,  I hope that its lyrics will prove true when my end comes.
 

Remember you will die is sound advice
For sure as each one lives so each one dies
And when I pass from this life to the next
I’ll make that journey singing, “Christus Rex!”
 
The last words that I speak will be Your praise
For Jesus promises that He will raise
All those who put their hope for life in Him
And so memento mori is not grim
 
With care we plan what we will wear and eat
But seldom think how Jesus Christ we’ll meet
Yet I would rather plan my final song
Not knowing if my time is short or long
 
The last words that I speak will be Your praise
For Jesus promises that He will raise
All those who put their hope for life in Him
And so memento mori is not grim
 
If in my final days I still can speak
My words will be of praise though they be weak
And if by then I’ve lost the power of speech
The song within my heart will Your ears reach
 
The last words that I speak will be Your praise
For Jesus promises that He will raise
All those who put their hope for life in Him
And so memento mori is not grim
 
And since memento mori is not grim
I plan my final words to be a hymn

Track 9:  Credo Ut Intelligam (acoustic rock)

Credo ut intelligam is an expression used by St. Anselm (1033-1109) in his work titled Proslogion.  It means "I believe so that I may understand."  This song was originally released on And Darkness Fell.
 

They sit there in their towers
And study scrolls for hours
Revealing what the holy verses say
 
And from the misty past
Draw forth the truths that last
That we may have the flame to light our way
 
Before they touch their quill
They ask to do God’s will
And with the words of Anselm they do pray
 
Credo
Ut intelligam
I first believe that I may understand
Credo
Ut intelligam
May faith first guide my mind and then my hand
 
If you would study pages
More wise than all the sages
First shut your door and fall down on your knees
 
To him who fears the Lord
God opens up His word
And out of darkness now at last he sees
 
But only they will find
The secrets of God’s mind
Whom by their faith from sin Christ Jesus frees
 
Credo
Ut intelligam
I first believe that I may understand
Credo
Ut intelligam
May faith first guide my mind and then my hand
 
If the Scriptures you are musing
To you are still confusing
Despite the work and reason you apply
 
Not to another book
Have you a need to look
But something far more humble you should try
 
So set aside your quill
And seek you first His will
And with the words of Anselm you should pray
 
Credo
Ut intelligam
I first believe that I may understand
Credo
Ut intelligam
May faith first guide my mind and then my hand
 
Credo
Ut intelligam
I first believe that I may understand
Credo
Ut intelligam
May faith first guide my mind and then my hand

Track 10:  And Darkness Fell (acoustic rock)

The Latin phrase fiat lux means "let light be made" and is the expression used in the Vulgate translation of Genesis.  This song was originally released on And Darkness Fell.
 

The dark was first
When still there was no life
For life requires the light
To flourish and to grow
 
But darkness fell
When God said, "Fiat lux"
And light burst forth
To drive the dark away
That life might see
The glories of His hand
And in His radiant presence ever stay
 
We made the dark
By sin much darker still
Where deeds of our own will
We hoped God would not know
 
But darkness fell
When God gave us His Son
And Mary said
So let it be to me
No dark could stand
Against that glorious light
Whereby the truth at last we all could see
 
At noon that day
The sky gave up its light
As Christ gave up His life
Upon the Roman tree
 
Then once again
The fiat lux on high
Put sin’s deep dark to flight
As true light made man free
 
And darkness fell
When Christ rose from the grave
No more to hide
All mankind’s sin and shame
No dark could stand
Against that glorious light
Which shines for those who live in Jesus's name
 
And darkness fell
When Christ rose from the grave
No more to hide
All mankind’s sin and shame
No dark could stand
Against that glorious light
Which shines for those who live in Jesus's name
 
It shines for those who live in Jesus's name