Contemporary Christian band Go Fish, best known in the United States for making Christian music for children, has released a CD titled Kickin’ It Old School, which contains updated versions of timeless hymns and other Christian classics. Go Fish members Jamie Statema, Jason Folkmann and Andy Selness have been making music sound cool for kids for since 2003, so I imagine they would know how to make this kind of music sound good. Contemporary Christian radio seems to agree, as Before the Throne of God Above, a track from the 2010 Go Fish CD, registers a hearty increase on Soft AC/Inspo. I like it very much; the Go Fish take on this hymn updates the sound but retains the beauty of the lyric.
“CS Lewis called it ‘chronological snobbery’—every generation thinks the previous generations were out of touch and we know better,” Statema says in their bio on their website, “but so much in today’s world is man-centered. Many times even the Gospel becomes all about us, what’s in it for us. More than anything we’ve ever done, Kickin’ It Old School is definitely God-focused. For us it isn’t just about singing old songs, it is about teaching kids that the Truth is in the Bible.” Amen to that, bro.
BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD Lyrics
Go Fish
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea
A great High Priest, whose name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on his hands
My name is written on his heart
I know that while in heaven he stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look, and see him there
Who made an end of all my sin
Because a sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me
Hey yeah
Behold him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness
The great unchangeable I am
The King of glory and of grace!
One in himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by his blood
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God
With Christ, my Savior and my God
One in himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by his blood
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God
With Christ, my Savior and my God
