The Porter’s Gate is a diverse collection of songwriters and musicians who gather, convened by Isaac Wardell, to write and record songs for the church. This year, the group recorded two short albums that speak very much to the moment that we find ourselves in, Justice Songs and Lament Songs.
The lament songs do well what many Psalms do; cry out to God in grief. The messages are clear and the thrust of each song is impossible to miss. “How Long?” uses some of the words of Psalm 6. “Wake Up, Jesus,” refers to Psalm 44. These songs do not hide their sadness. But they put that grief in the context of a God who is with us.
The companion album, Justice Songs, is a more up-tempo album, opening with the rollicking “His Kingdom Now Has Come.” These songs depend less obviously on the Psalms but are no less scriptural. Although they were recorded at the same time and run about 30 minutes each, these two albums are quite different in both content and tone.
Both albums will bless you as you continue to process the events of the past year and many of these songs will fit nicely in worship services. They remind us of a God who hears us and walks with us. (Integrity Music)
About the Author
Robert J. Keeley is a professor of education emeritus at Calvin University and leads music at 14th St. Christian Reformed Church in Holland, Mich.