An Original "Modern Hymn" (lyrics only)

I mentioned a few posts back that I'm starting to try to figure out how to make hymn writing and arranging a part of my life and vocation. I've been throwing lines out to folks better versed (ha!) in such matters than I and trying to get my feet a little wet on things like arranging service music for the choir I sing in at Duke, the Vespers Ensemble. The hymn I talked about in my earlier post on the subject was a gift to my grandparents, and apparently a group of older folks who meets at their church (and whose name, "Live Alive!", also the title of the hymn I wrote, comes from the sermon series of my grandfather's, on which my lyrics were based...) are planning to learn it next week, which is pretty cool.

Anyway, I've been learning more lately about folks such as Keith and Kristyn Getty (Keith wrote "In Christ Alone" with Stuart Townend, who also wrote "How Deep the Father's Love For Us"), High Street Hymns and other groups doing neat work in fresh arrangements of old hymns and compositions of new ones, and that combined with my constant exposure to MANY worship styles has inspired me in a number of ways. And the other day, something along the lines of what the Gettys might call a "modern hymn" sort of fell out of my brain. There's tweaking yet to be done, but here are the lyrics to "Your Body Is a Temple," based on (surprise) 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and 1:31.


Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit
Therefore, let it glorify the Lord above
You were made by God to serve a holy purpose
Meant for nothing less than love

For you are not your own, but you belong to Jesus
Therefore, honor him who paid the price for you
You were bought by blood shed on the cross at Calv'ry
Where from death life springs anew

All glory to the Father in the highest heaven
Glory to the Son and to the Holy Ghost
Glory to the Triune God who gives us wisdom
Only in the Lord to boast


Short and simple. Subject to change. But it's a start, and I think the music is pretty, so that's encouraging. :)