I've been listening to the self titled Theocracy album for a couple of weeks now since I received it in the mail and I must say that I am impressed by the depth of the theology in the lyrics. The same can be said for the Mirror of Souls album.
Theology
- Thread starter JResch
- Start date
Indeed. Smith is excellent at writing about Christianity in ways even I (IQ of 150-something) haven't thought of. He never fails to impress me.
DUDE! That's a high IQ! You can join mensa. My grandma is in mensa. Her IQ is around the same as yours. Mine, IDK about. Have not checked.
Back on topic. Yes, Smith has to be one of my favorite lyrics writers out there. Very biblical... and he still knows how to have fun though... SGTM!
Matt Smith
THEOCRACY
Thanks, guys. I'm glad to hear you appreciate what I do.
I approach my lyrical topics much like a columnist, in that I usually only try to write about something if I have an angle on it I haven't seen used before in a song. With gazillions of songs out there, it can be tough, and I don't go for that every single time (i.e. "On Eagles' Wings" is a pretty straightforward song about thankfulness, etc.), but generally I try to write things from a slightly different perspective.
For example, with "Mirror of Souls" I was thinking about the concept of imputed righteousness and how God sees the sacrifice of Christ when He looks at a believer, which made me think about the mirror sans reflection idea, and it went on and on (and on and on) from there. "Absolution Day," well, there are thousands of songs about that topic, but I haven't seen one exactly like that with the courtroom setting. "The Writing in the Sand," the story of the woman at the well has been written/sung about countless times, but it adds a new dimension if you place yourself in the shoes of one of the men holding the stones.
So I'm not breaking any new ground at all, obviously, I just try to write things in a fresh and interesting way. Thanks again for the kind words!
I approach my lyrical topics much like a columnist, in that I usually only try to write about something if I have an angle on it I haven't seen used before in a song. With gazillions of songs out there, it can be tough, and I don't go for that every single time (i.e. "On Eagles' Wings" is a pretty straightforward song about thankfulness, etc.), but generally I try to write things from a slightly different perspective.
For example, with "Mirror of Souls" I was thinking about the concept of imputed righteousness and how God sees the sacrifice of Christ when He looks at a believer, which made me think about the mirror sans reflection idea, and it went on and on (and on and on) from there. "Absolution Day," well, there are thousands of songs about that topic, but I haven't seen one exactly like that with the courtroom setting. "The Writing in the Sand," the story of the woman at the well has been written/sung about countless times, but it adds a new dimension if you place yourself in the shoes of one of the men holding the stones.
So I'm not breaking any new ground at all, obviously, I just try to write things in a fresh and interesting way. Thanks again for the kind words!
Indeed, I do.
In fact, my girlfriend is on the Living Light School of Worship this year, and some of the stuff she is learning (from all those highly prophetic, wise spiritual leaders) almost parallels some of the stuff in your songs. Like, she'll tell me about something she's been learning, and I'm like "like these lyrics?" and she'll be like "omg, yeah!" or something like that.
So yeah, keep on going. God has blessed you with many gifts, and it's great that you use them to glorify Him.
Craigsnedeker
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- Aug 31, 2009
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That goes without saying!!
You def did things different, like writing in the sand. Took that story to a new level
Yeah, I can't wait to hear what Matt has to say about Samson. That would be one absurdly bad-ass song. 
prometheus7
Graphic Artist
Yeah, I can't wait to hear what Matt has to say about Samson. That would be one absurdly bad-ass song.
Jehu would be a tastier topic. Especially when he slays the priest of Baal.
Craigsnedeker
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Craigsnedeker
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- Aug 31, 2009
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Ya me to, but with Theocray's epic talent for writing lyrics, plus the epicness of Revelation, it would make a double-epic song!!!
I must say Matt, that you write songs in a way that really hits home in the heart of many humans that listens. For me, that song would be "Theocracy" hitting the deepest, and = "Mirror of Souls" and "Absolution Day" coming close in second. Along with the vocals and other things, you really make the person feel it, like I did. Say somebody had been a hypocrite lately, and they listened to your song. That would stick in their head next time they were near hypocrisy!
Great songwriting Matt!
Great songwriting Matt!
As far as straight scripture theology, I rank them:
The Healing Hand (obviously, life of Christ and all)
Absolution Day
Bethlehem
Mountain
The Writing in the Sand
Ichthus
The Serpent's Kiss
Mirror of Souls
Martyr
Theocracy
Twist of Fate
Wages of Sin
New Jerusalem
And I think the rest of their songs are more personal, but still theological
Sinner
A Tower of Ashes
On Eagles' Wings
The Victory Dance
Laying the Demon to Rest
The Healing Hand (obviously, life of Christ and all)
Absolution Day
Bethlehem
Mountain
The Writing in the Sand
Ichthus
The Serpent's Kiss
Mirror of Souls
Martyr
Theocracy
Twist of Fate
Wages of Sin
New Jerusalem
And I think the rest of their songs are more personal, but still theological
Sinner
A Tower of Ashes
On Eagles' Wings
The Victory Dance
Laying the Demon to Rest
Laying The Demon To Rest isn't really personal. It applies to us all! Tower of ashes is also biblical. Same to all of them. lol.
Yes, but it's biblical on a personal level...it takes scripture and makes it apply to daily life, even to the point of the listener not needing to be thinking about God to relate to it, at some points.
hmm...you are far less understanding (<- and that is far nicer than what I originally had ) than I anticipated. I'm not sure how to word this now, so I'll just leave not-so-well enough alone.
) than I anticipated. I'm not sure how to word this now, so I'll just leave not-so-well enough alone.
