Playing My Worship Song In Different Styles

First of all, here are the lyrics to the song:

Isaiah 30

In God’s rest you’ll find salvation

And in quietness your strength

Peace will come to you in asking

God will answer you with grace

In the waters of affliction

There your eyes will surely see.

That the way of your redemption’s

not as far as you once dreamed

--Now the waters from the mountain

Flow down freely from above

And the moon that shown so dimly

Is now brighter than the sun

And the wounds that held us tightly

All the miseries we’ve seen

Have been mended by the healer

Bound and cast into the sea

--

And no matter where you’re going

And no matter where you’ve been

You will hear a voice beside you

That will guide you to the end

Let the spirit whisper softly

While your heart is still and clear

“I will lead you on the pathway

and I’ll always be right here.”

--

So let justice come as thunder

Who can stop its mighty roar?

For the ways that you have suffered

and the pain that you’ve endured

Let the vengeance of our Father

Be for him and him alone

And the day will come when every

king will bow before his throne.

And the day will come when every

child will joyfully come home.

Exploring Song Styles: One Lyric, Many Worlds

First off, thank you again for supporting me on Kickstarter — your support is making it possible for me to write and record these songs, and I’m genuinely excited to share them with you.

This video is a bit of a different one. I’m taking a song I’ve been working on — nearly finished — and playing it in a bunch of different styles.

Why do this? Playing a song in different styles is a great way to discover what it really wants to be. You’ve probably heard funk covers of rock songs, or techno covers of classical pieces — changing the style can totally transform the emotional impact and message of a song.

As a songwriter, experimenting like this also helps me make sure I’ve chosen the best musical “clothing” for the message. Should it be a folk tune? A rock anthem? A peaceful hymn? This exercise is both fun and incredibly useful.

The Song: In God’s Rest You'll Find Salvation

This song is based on Isaiah 30, and it’s lyrically dense — four verses packed with beautiful, poetic language. Because of that, I intentionally kept the melody simple to make room for the words to shine.

I start by playing it very neutrally — no genre, no flair — just a flat version of the first verse to give you a baseline.

Then, we dive into the stylistic experiments:

1. Late '90s Punk Rock / Early Christian Contemporary

Think early '90s youth group energy — kind of like the sound you’d hear from bands like Indelible Grace or anything with that nostalgic syncopated “rock chug.”

Key feature: Emphasis on the and beats — classic syncopation.

It’s honestly kind of fun, and it gives the song a kinetic momentum. Totally changes the feel.

2. 6/8 Irish Hymn (Getty Style)

If you know modern hymn writers like the Gettys, you’ll recognize this style. A 6/8 Irish jig feel gives the song a rolling, rhythmic flow that fits naturally with the lyrical structure.

Confession: I originally wrote this song with a 6/8 feel in mind, so this one feels especially at home.

3. Fingerstyle Folk (James Taylor Vibes)

Looser, more organic. This version leans into gentle, contemplative storytelling — like sitting on a porch at sunset. It stretches the melody slightly, giving the lyrics space to breathe.

Not polished, but definitely charming.

4. Dreamy / Atmospheric (Fleet Foxes Style)

This one gets airy and spacious. The melody slows down and the words are elongated to let the music breathe.

Downside: You could end up with a 25-minute song.Upside: The lyrics have time to sink in.

This one got me thinking — should I cut half the lyrics so there’s more room to simmer in the meaning?

5. Straight Hymn Style

This is the most structured version. No syncopation, no flair — just straight, steady phrasing. Think traditional hymnals or Bach chorales.

It’s clean, it’s clear, and it gets the message across without distraction.

Why This Matters

There’s a big difference between writing like Bach vs. Bob Dylan — or creating the feel of the Moody Blues vs. Nirvana. Each approach offers a different kind of emotional resonance and accessibility.

I’ve found that congregations (and listeners in general) are more open than we think to syncopation, dreamy textures, and modern folk structures. It’s all about doing it well.

I’d Love Your Feedback

Let me know which style you felt worked best for this song. I’m always learning and adapting, and your thoughts help shape how these songs come to life.

Thanks again for being part of this journey — more to come in the next couple of weeks!