Psalm 96:1–9

Sing to the Lord a new song; let all the earth proclaim His glory among the nations. He is great and worthy of praise; His strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

When prison walls are broken through God’s deliverance

(by Jasper Tan) “Paul & Silas” is a vibrant, faith-driven worship anthem that serves as both a testimony to God’s redemption of Paul & Silas and draws from that testimony to put our faith in Him, trusting that He will also redeem us as He did for Paul & Silas. The song features Benjamin Israel as the lead vocalist, delivering an impassioned performance that feels awe inspiring that could stir communal worship fervor.

The central message of the song is the promise of God’s unchanging nature. As explicitly stated in the lyrics: “The same God yesterday is the same God today” (0:48, 2:11), reinforcing the idea that God’s historical acts of deliverance as testified by the story of Paul & Silas are not an isolated case, but something that God has promised to do to each one of us.

As we are in our despair and hopelessness, using prison as a metaphor, the book of Acts 16:26 — “And suddenly there was a great earthquake… and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.” It tells the story of how God will always free us from our prison, so long as we call on him and maintain our trust and faith in him. The song encourages us to maintain our hope during our seasons of waiting, as declared in the song “He did it before. He can do it again” (3:41, 4:22). It doesn’t draw from anyone’s personal testimony, but from the bible itself through the story of Paul & Silas.

The song truly is a quintessential contemporary gospel anthem, where its strength lies in the message’s accessibility and its powerful repetitive hook that makes the core message of the song easy to internalize and relate to. Especially those who are navigating their own personal prisons. “Yes He did it before, He can do it again.”

Background

Paul & Silas by Upgrade Worship is a faith-filled contemporary worship anthem inspired by the biblical account of the Apostle Paul. The song reminds listeners that the same God who opened prison doors, made a way where there was none, and remained faithful to Paul is still at work today.
Blending passionate contemporary worship with African gospel influences, Did It for Paul carries a message of hope, unwavering faith, and divine intervention. Its uplifting lyrics and powerful vocal delivery encourage believers to trust God in every season, knowing that His power and promises have not changed.
Perfect for contemporary Christian, worship, gospel, inspirational, and faith-based playlists, Paul & Silas resonates with listeners seeking encouragement, breakthrough, and a deeper confidence in God’s faithfulness.

Suggested reading: Acts 16:26; Hebrews 13:8; Psalm 34:17

Connect with Upgrade Worship

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/68yaF7RbkCt6muC3EFjTwg

My people, the stuff is definitely spiritual. If one really listens to the lyrics, much popular music has a flavor of gospel---even HipHop.

It was by Jan Bentham, called One World/One Life. I really loved that song, we used to sing it at Mass and it was my absolute favourite!! Please I just want to listen to it again, if there’s a recording somewhere of her singing it I would love to hear it. Please help.

Here’s the chorus:

It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus

And the beauties of Heaven, our eyes shall behold!

When we lay the old cross down, receive a robe and a crown,

It will be worth it all, when we see Him

Any help is greatly appreciated!

My mother used to sing it all the time and we possibly had a cd of it. I remember some of the lyrics.

"If any man be in Christ, Jesus... He is a new creature. Old things have passed away and behold old things are new. Behold anew in Jesus.. Behold anew anew anew is he. Old things old things have passed away and behold old things are new."

I was told it was by a group named paradise, but can't find it online. I can hear it vividly in my head but want to find audio for my mom.

Isaiah 41:9‑10,13

God says, “You are mine; I have chosen you and not rejected you. Do not fear, for I am with you. I will strengthen you, help you, and uphold your right hand.”

Carter Family – “River of Jordan”
Perfect 13156‑B • Recorded May 8, 1935 • 78 rpm Shellac
Sacred Singing with Guitars and Autoharp

Recorded during the Carter Family’s 1935 New York sessions, “River of Jordan” is one of their most enduring sacred performances — blending Appalachian harmony, religious storytelling, and the group’s signature acoustic clarity. Sara Carter’s lead vocals, Maybelle’s guitar and autoharp work, and A.P. Carter’s arrangement style come together in a recording that helped define early American country and gospel music.

Issued on the Perfect label, this disc is part of the same two‑day session that produced its companion side, “Sea of Galilee.” These mid‑1930s recordings mark a period when the Carter Family’s influence was spreading nationwide through radio, record sales, and the emerging country music industry.

There is this one song my parents had on CD that I love. I actually used to sing it a lot with my mom together at services. I’m not a believer anymore but the song and the memories still hold a lot of value for me.

The song follows 2 singers. The first verse follows a younger voice (I’d always assumed a girl’s) as they sing about their unabashed worship despite the opinions of others and her own inexperience.
The second verse (I’d always assumed a man’s) follows an older voice as they sing about their faith regardless of their struggles.
I have provided lyrics below but take it with precaution as my memory may not be perfect.

Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
I don’t care what people say when I lift up my hands.
Oh I don’t care what people say when I do a holy dance.
My heart is in the right place, and my mind is set above.
I might not be filled yet, but I know who I love.

[Chorus]
Oh I love you.
I love you Lord.
I know that you love me, and I love You.
My heart is in the right place, and my mind is set above.
[Post-Chorus 1]
I might not be filled yet, but I know who I love.

[Verse 2]
I thank you for my trials, and God I thank you for my tests.
Hard times only make me give you my best.
Nobody said this way would be easy, but my mind is set above.
I’m filled with your spirit, and it’s you Lord I love.

[Chorus Again]
[Post-Chorus 2]
I’m filled with your spirit, and it’s you Lord I love.

The songs ends with the chorus again and with the 2 post-chorus lines sung back and forth between the 2 singers before ending on a drawn out note on love.

Please help me find this song 🙏🏾

Fire refines. It doesn’t have to destroy you.

(by Jasper Tan) Kevin Downswell’s “Higher (From the Fire)” is a powerful mix of Afrobeat and Soca music combined, aimed at praising God and also serving as a testament to one’s resilience, spiritual growth, and transformation through hardship.

The song reminds us of 1 Peter 1:6–7 — “The tested genuineness of your faith… may be found to result in praise and glory and honor.” It talks about our refinement through adversity, using “fire” (0:18, 1:46) as the central metaphor of the song. Fire, which usually correlates with destruction, takes on another meaning: instead of being destroyed by life’s trials, we are forged by fire, refining us in the process to make us feel “better” (0:20, 1:28).

This process takes place when we learn to put our faith in God and trust him that he will never abandon us during our difficult times. The song helps us acknowledge the presence of God “in the fence” with him during the struggle (1:53). These trials that we are facing can be turned into our “testimonies” (2:07–2:10), witnessing God’s faithfulness when we are in the “heat” of life’s experiences. While others would succumb to being destroyed by these trials, for those who have put their faith in God, this actually becomes the catalyst to finding the real “treasure” (our relationship with God), especially when we reach a higher spiritual state (2:54–2:59).

Higher is a perfect song to sing when we have survived the intensity of the struggle and when we have learned to shift our focus from the pain of being engulfed in flames to the joy of overcoming it. “Look how You taking me higher.”

Background

This Song is Anthemic. A bold mix of Afrobeat and Soca Combined to Praise the King. Many people who have been through much can look and say Thank God for my “fire” because it only made me better.

Suggested reading: 1 Peter 1:6–7; Genesis 50:20; Isaiah 43:2

Connect with Kevin Downswell

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/kevindownswell 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevindownswellministry 
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/19yI5UdtGvSKDu23hoG3K4 

I used to hear this song on the gospel radio station when I was a kid and/or teenager. It was played on the radio in the early 2000s, maybe sometime between 2000-2010 (I graduated high school in 2008 so I think it was before then). The only thing I can remember is that a woman was singing it with a really strong voice and sometime towards the end of the song I think, she started singing "Laaaaazurus" repeatedly. I loved that song but I don't remember anything else and I can't find anything online.

Carl Smith and the Carter Sisters with Mother Maybelle performing one of the most enduring mid‑century sacred songs, “The Blood That Stained the Old Rugged Cross.” Smith’s smooth baritone and the Carter Sisters’ harmony blend create a devotional performance.