Photo by William Stark
Thanksgiving is a time of celebration and reflection. We Americans know the drill: get up early on Wednesday morning, fight traffic to check into the hotel, bed and breakfast, or (if you’re fortunate) family guest room. Thursday is a stressful time for the women (and a few men) who prepare Thanksgiving dinner. Though originated in 1621 with the harvest feast shared with the English colonists and the Wampanoag people, it has since become synonymous with football, the Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade, Black Friday, and when we aren’t stressed out over the holiday preparations, occasionally interacting with the guests.
This year, I decided to pull a rabbit out of the “Extra Songs” list hat, both to reduce the list size (which is approaching 1,000 songs long), and to examine something Thanksgiving-related.
Starting in 1943 as the Bethel Baptist Church, thirty-five chartered members met at a rented store in Los Angeles, California. They grew into a multi-site megachurch named Mosaic, with over sixty nationalities represented and consists mainly of young adults in their 20’s who work in the film industry, according to the Associated Press. They also formed a band named “Mosaic MSC”.
In they released five albums and four EPs, including:
- MSC (Live from LA) (2015)
- Glory & Wonder (2016)
- Unknown (EP, 2017)
- Tiembla (Spanish, EP, 2017)
- Heaven (EP, 2018)
- HUMAN (2020)
- December (Ep, 2021)
- Ser Humano (Spanish, 2021)
- This Is How I Thank the Lord (2022)
Also, check out my reviews of Fountain (I Am Good) and Tremble.
Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site! Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.
1. What message does the song communicate?
Though Mosaic MSC doesn’t have the words to express how much God deserves for rescuing them, nor do they have the mental faculty to fully appreciate all that He did for them, they will use their feeble voices to express how much they love Him. Included in their praise is their willingness to worship Him fully, with no attachments to this world.
Side Note: To those annoyed by massive repetition, you may not like Bridge. It repeats two lines twice followed by a third, three times, with a slight variation of it on the 4th go around. It could be worse though.
Score: 10/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
The lyrics completely align with Scripture.
Lyrics posted with permission.*
[Verse 1]
I don’t have enough words
I’ll never live enough lifetimes
To fully know Your worth
To know all that You deserve
All of my deceptions
All of my duplicity
Though not explicitly recorded in Scripture, it is nonetheless true. Mosaic MSC cannot fully comprehend the cost that perfect, innocent Jesus paid for our sins (Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 1:29, John 3:16, John 19:30, Acts 4:12, Acts 20:28, Romans 5:6-10, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 1:3-4, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 2:14, 1 Timothy 2:6, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 9:26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9) nor the depths of our wickedness (Jeremiah 17:9). Neither can I.
Now there is no record
You assume the best of me
With the certificate of debt nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14), God sees Mosaic MSC as a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
[Chorus]
And this is why I thank the Lord for saving me
When I was weak
So I will sing
This is why I thank the Lord for everything
And this is why I thank the Lord
Mosaic MSC sings in gratitude because, amid their sinful state of rebellion, Christ died for them (Romans 5:6-8).
[Verse 2]
All of my affection (Ooh-ooh)
Everything I have to give (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
The sum of my attention (Ooh-ooh)
Is measured in the praise I lift (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Praise is Mosaic MSC’s external expression of their inward surrender to God (Psalm 43:5, Isaiah 64:8, Matthew 10:38, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34-38, Mark 10:28, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27, John 15:1-11, Romans 6:13, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:7-10, and 1 Peter 5:6). It also contains several calls to Capser the friendly ghost.
[Bridge]
I will sing
I will sing
I will lift my praises to You
I will sing
I will sing
I will lift my praises to You
I will sing
I will sing
I will lift my praises to You (To You)
I will sing (Oh-oh-oh)
I will sing
‘Cause this is how I praise the Lord (Oh-oh-oh)
Repeats/essentially repeats Chorus, lines 3 and 5, alongside more Casper references.
[Outro]
Ooh-ooh (Mm-mm)
Thank You (Mm-mm)
This is how I thank the Lord
Repeats/essentially repeats Chorus, line 5, alongside another Casper reference and approval for food eaten.
Score: 10/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
They will probably think that “The Lord” is Christianity. Thus, Christians are thanking their God for the things He has done for them. Chiefly, for taking away the record that was caused by deceit, which they will probably understand as the cross.
Score: 10/10
4. What does this song glorify?
It glorifies The Lord for “all that You deserve”, which includes Mosaic MSC’s praise and adoration, for taking away their duplicity and leaving them with a clean slate.
Score: 10/10
Closing Comments
Mosaic MSC’s This Is How I Thank the Lord is a worthy Thanksgiving song. It reminds us to be thankful for everything the Lord has done for us, chiefly, for taking away the consequences of our lawbreaking, and secondly, that worshipping Him is worth sacrificing other pursuits. These bring Him glory. Unbelievers should easily follow along.
Those looking to create a Thanksgiving mix should consider adding this one to their worship set.
Final Score: 10/10
Artist Info
Track: This Is How I Thank the Lord (listen to the song)
Artist: Mosaic MSC
Album: This Is How I Thank The Lord
Genre: Gospel
Release Year: 2022
Duration: 3:11
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
*Copyright © 2022 Mosaic Los Angeles Music (ASCAP) Mosaic MSC LA Global (BMI) Capitol CMG Genesis (ASCAP) Capitol CMG Paragon (BMI) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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