Songs to Help You Overcome

Christian Playlist #2: Overcomers

This post is exactly one month overdue. I was supposed to post the second edition of the Christian Playlist on my birthday to celebrate. Let’s just say I was doing some “life admin,” a phrase I recently heard that intrigued me.

The theme is Overcomers.

For everyone born of God overcomes the world.

1 John 5:4

We Have Overcome - Israel & New Breed

Now thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph in Christ and through us reveals the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

2 Corinthians 2:14 (MEV)

This is such a happy, upbeat song. I love blasting it and singing along. I really enjoy and find it meaningful to sing songs that are derived from scripture. It’s a helpful way to memorize them and also sing God’s word. The Bible is full of commands to sing to God. Why not sing what he says? The theme “Overcomers” is in the title of the song. It’s a great song to sing both amid trials and also in a season of blessing. Fun fact, Israel Houghton was once a worship leader at Joel Osteen’s church.

Thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in His name.
Thanks be to God, who always causes us to win. (Yeah!)
Thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in His name.

Thanks be to God!
Thanks be to God!

We have overcome. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
We have overcome. By the power of Your name.
Jesus, You’re the One. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
The One who made a way for us.
To triumph in His name.

Oh whoa! Oh whoa!
Oh whoa! Oh whoa!

We've got the victory!
Everything would be alright, alright!
We′ve got the victory!
Everything would be alright.
Cause we're on the winning side.
We're on the winning side!

We have overcome, hallelujah, hallelujah
We have overcome by the power of Your name
Jesus, You're the One, hallelujah, hallelujah
(The One who made a way for us) You made a way for us!
(Who made a way for us) Thank You, Jesus!
The One who made a way for us
To triumph in Your name

Oh whoa! Oh whoa!
Oh whoa! Oh whoa!

We have overcome!

The Words I Would Say - Sidewalk Prophets

I heard this song on the radio at the right moment, which brought tears to my eyes. According to the songwriter, it is an actual letter and sounds like a prayer when you listen to it. I committed the chorus to memory, and it actually now comes up a lot for me in this challenging season where I am waiting and trusting God:

Three in the morning and I'm still awake
So I picked up a pen and a page
And I started writing just what I'd say
If we were face to face

I'd tell you just what you mean to me
Tell you these simple truths

Be strong in the Lord and
Never give up hope.
You're gonna do great things
I already know.
God's got his hand on you, so
Don't live life in fear.
Forgive and forget
But don't forget why you're here.
Take your time and pray
These are the words I would say.

Last time we spoke you said you were hurting
And I felt your pain in my heart
I want to tell you that I keep on praying
Love will find you where you are

I know, 'cause I've already been there
So please hear these simple truths

Be strong in the Lord and
Never give up hope.
You're gonna do great things
I already know.
God's got his hand on you, so
Don't live life in fear.
Forgive and forget
But don't forget why you're here.
Take your time and pray
These are the words I would say.

From one simple life to another
I will say
Come, find peace in the Father

Be strong in the Lord and
Never give up hope.
You're gonna do great things
I already know.
God's got his hand on you, so
Don't live life in fear.
Forgive and forget
But don't forget why you're here.
Take your time and pray
These are the words I would say.

Amenfanya Mungu - Paul Clement

My Mom Shazaamed this song at my aunt’s house. She played it for me later, and I instantly loved it. Interesting how music gets passed around. The song is in Kiswahili, but the words are so powerful. The artist, Paul Clement, is from Tanzania, which, in my opinion, has some of the best male vocalists in Africa. They have a rich musical tradition called Taarab, influenced by “African Great Lakes, North Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent.” One of the modern genres of Tanzanian music is called Bongo Flava, with a Gospel version (think Christian Hip Hop).

The lyrics are of someone who has seen God see him through trials and is now offering thanksgiving for the season of overcoming. Paul even recites Psalm 23:

Refrain:
Amenifanyia amani (He has granted me peace)
Amenifanyia amani (He has granted me peace)
Kaondoa huzuni yangu (He removed my sadness)
Kanifanyia amani (And granted me peace)

Nijapopita, kwenye bonde la mauti (Though I walk through the valley of death)
Sitaogopa, maana wewe uko nami (I shall not fear, for You are with me)
Gongo lako na fimbo yako (Your rod and Your staff)
Eh Bwana vyanifariji (Oh Father they comfort me)
Wanifanyia amani (You grant me peace)
Umesema ya kwamba hutaniacha (You said that You would never leave me)
Sababu mimi ni mboni ya jicho lako (For I am the [apple] of your eye)
Bwana wanitazama, asubuhi, mchana, jioni
(Lord You look over me, Morning, afternoon, evening)
Eeh Bwana – kweli Mungu wa baraka
(Oh Lord – You are the God of blessings)

(Refrain)

Amebadilisha uchungu wangu (He turned my pain)
Umekua ni furaha yangu (It has become my joy)
Huyu Yesu amenipa furaha – Kanifanyia amani
(This Jesus gave me joy – granted me peace)
Amebadilisha machozi yangu (He turned my tears)
Yamekuwa ni furaha yangu (To become my joy)
Huyu Yesu amenipa furaha – kanifanyia amani
(This Jesus gave me joy – granted me peace)

(Refrain)

Furaha unipayo siyo kama ya dunia hii
(The joy You give me, is not of this world)
Amani unipayo siyo kama ya ulimwengu huu
(The peace You give me, is not like of this world)
We waniganga moyo nipatapo uchungu
(You encourage me in times of troubles)
Wanifanyia amani (You grant me peace)

Amenifanyia furahax2 (He has granted me joy)
Kaondoa huzuni yangu (He removed my sadness)
Kanifanyia furaha (And granted me joy)

517 - Mirours

Ugh, these next two songs are on repeat for me. I first heard 517 on a Spotify Christian playlist and was captured by the lovely melody. It’s one of those songs that every time I would listen to it, I would hear something new. Then, one day, when I was listening to it on a plane, I heard the chorus in a new way, and again—tears! I found their YouTube and thanked them for making this song. It’s an overcomer’s song because of the chorus, “My fallen nature, is fallen down” repeated so many times it becomes a defiant cry of victory. I also love the opening words “Here, under the water
I found glory when I found you.” It reminds me of baptism and being made a new creation in Christ. Finding Jesus “here under the water.” So beautiful. Now listen to it with music:

One, two, three

Here, under the water
I found glory when I found you
Here, dreaming in color
I see Heaven here on the earth

My fallen nature is fallen down
My fallen nature is fallen down
My fallen nature is fallen down
My fallen nature is fallen down

Gone, days in the summer
Stars sing holy, all the day through
Lost under their armor
Falling forward further in you

My fallen nature is fallen down
My fallen nature is fallen down
My fallen nature is fallen down
My fallen nature is fallen down

The father looks on me and sees his goodness
Christ given mercy
The brilliance in his eyes, he covers me now
The way, the only

My fallen nature is fallen down
My fallen nature is fallen down
My fallen nature is fallen down
My fallen nature is fallen down
My fallen nature is fallen down
My fallen nature is fallen down
My fallen nature is fallen down
My fallen nature is fallen down

Now That I Know You - John Jin Han, Laity

I heard this song and then went on to become a fan of both artists individually. This is such a happy, joyful, innocent song. It’s full of youth. Literally, the lyrics say, “I trust You to guide me through these days of youth.” It was also my pandemic song. I believe this is my most-played song, or top two, at least, for 2020. It gave me comfort during that difficult season. It reminded me that all that is important is “Now that I know you.” I also love the retro 2008-2009 feel; it's super nostalgic for an elder millennial like me. Even though these are Gen Zers!

You always knew
I would turn my gaze away from You
You formed my heart anyway
You always knew
I would try to run away from You
You died for me anyway

I will never understand this type of love
How You give it all away

But now that I know You
I know Your heart has always been towards me
Not for a moment
Did You ever think to turn away from me
I wanna walk beside You
I trust You to guide me through these days of youth
Now that I know You
Now that I know You

Even now
I seem to make the same mistakes
I get lost in all my thoughts
On these days
I ask, "Are You tired of me yet?"
Your answer always stays the same