Poetry: Why We Are Tethered to Time Signature

Words belong to the Lord. 

Propaganda "GOSPEL"

To many worship leaders, poetry is a place for dimly lit, smoke-filled bars or def-jam competitions. Rarely has it been seen in the context of an act of worship- especially not in a corporate worship setting. As a creative, it thrills me to see Gungor bring Amena Brown along with them to recite her lovely poetry over their beautiful instrumentation. 

Why are we afraid of poetry? What is it about poetry that is so easy to dismiss? 

Is it that the congregation cannot sing along? That can't be it- go to any Lecrae concert and you'll see hundreds of people speaking along word for word, riveted by the artistry. 

Is it that poems tend to explore darker emotions, struggles and trials that shouldn't be experienced as a christian? King David didn't seem to have a problem with misery when he penned these words:

¹ O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger,
   nor discipline me in your wrath.
² Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;
   heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.
³ My soul also is greatly troubled.
   But you, O LORD—how long?
 ⁴ Turn, O LORD, deliver my life;
   save me for the sake of your steadfast love.
⁵ For in death there is no remembrance of you;
   in Sheol who will give you praise?
 ⁶ I am weary with my moaning;
   every night I flood my bed with tears;
   I drench my couch with my weeping.
⁷ My eye wastes away because of grief;
   it grows weak because of all my foes.
 ⁸ Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
   for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.
⁹ The LORD has heard my plea;
   the LORD accepts my prayer.
¹⁰ All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled;
   they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.

Psalm 6 (ESV)

SIDENOTE: why do we as worship leaders seem to feel that God only wants the church to hear about the "happy" psalms, when His word stirs the joyful with the devastated? I don't know the answer...that was a freebie.

Admittedly, the problem of sadness stems from the problem of sin. Broken people make up a broken world, which causes broken people to use broken speech to pen broken thoughts. I get it. But does that mean that as worship leaders we should smear over the human experience to make sure that our songs are "positive and encouraging for the whole family?"

Here's what I'm trying to get to:

There is something beautiful about words that are not tethered to time signature. Words that have no regard for syllable count or rhyme or meter. As creative worshippers, should we tie back truth that does not come plugged into an acoustic guitar? Do we have just cause for sugar coating feelings and sadness?

Do not misinterpret me- I believe there is joy to be had. There is freedom to experience and shackles to be undone and clutter the prison floors. That should be celebrated. What I am saying is that perhaps in admitting there is darkness we provide a backdrop for Christ to illuminate the night like fireworks. By penning Psalm 6, there is room for David to pen the first words of Psalm 7:

"O Lord my God, in You do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and rescue me."

-Adrian

STUFF TO SEE:

Levi the Poet "O Captain! My Captain!"

Janette ikz "I Will Wait"