Song Of The Week - April 24

April is winding down everyone! Congrats to Ian, as well as the other students who've finished their university exams. Although, the fact that they're all all done now makes me slightly jealous of their expanse of free time before them :P. The rest of us haven't got that much farther to go either, so I'll just try and hang in there. This week, you may realize that the SOTW has been posted quite a bit earlier, hour-wise at least. I thought about it, and decided that I couldn't not write about it right now... it's been weighing on my heart all day, and has brought me much joy.

You Hold Me Now - Hillsong United, [a_CROSS//the_EARTH]: Tear Down The Walls

"No darkness/No hurt or pain/No suffering/You hold me now, You hold me now"

I am very excited for this right now. More than words can express :P. It has been nearly three years, with the exception of In A Valley By The Sea, that United has released any live albums. But from what I've been hearing and experiencing by this new music, it was well worth it.

You Hold Me Now... is the new single for United's new album, Across The Earth, which releases next month (keep your fingers crossed). I know that I have already put an SOTW by Hillsong up on the blog, but I honestly consider each formation an entirely different band, because each one possesses radically different styles... Fortunately, they all center around one important theme: The praise and worship of God.

When I first heard this song, I was both excited to hear something new, but was taken aback at how... beautiful it was. It has an Irish feel to it, which my mind associates with intoxicating, captivating melodies. There's something about it that pulls your heart in, and doesn't let go. But the thing that I find best of all about this song were its lyrics. They just have so much weight to them, and they immediately struck a chord somewhere inside of me. Oh... how I long to be free of the pains of the world! The song reminds me of God's promises, and the ending that is to come, in heaven's light, in His victory. I find it a reassurance... that all the pain, the hardship and suffering that we see all around us can't last forever, and one day, one glorious day... the dominion of joy and peace will reign, forever. Just that simple fact warms my entire being and sets my soul on fire. He holds us all, and will never let us go. I have waited so long for some new Hillsong United, and I am glad that it is finally here. They were the first group to get me excited about Christian Music, and more importantly, my faith. This song is yet another testimony of how Hillsong has drawn not only me, but thousands of others from all walks of life, closer to God through their ministry. I pray that He will continue to spread his message through the people He has appointed, because it is one of absolute joy.

You Hold Me Now - http://www.mediafire.com/?tn13exd23jw