有個基督教的國際性版權機構,叫"Christian Copyright Licensing Internationl" (CCLI), 代詩歌作者收版權費.由於須分配版權費的緣故,各地教會向CCLI報告所使用的詩歌,因此機構有統計最經常被頌唱的詩歌,"Top 25 Praise Songs" 就由此而來.
"Top 25 Praise Songs"系列由於是每年出的,但有些詩歌又是歷久常新的(例如Lord I lift your name on high, As the Deer),因此不同年份出的CD都很有可能有相同的歌, 情況有如數張精選碟中總有幾首經典重複出現.
既然是多國教會集體投票的結果,選出的都是動聽及歌詞豐富的詩歌. 以2007版為例,收錄--
Here I am to Worship, Open the Eyes of My Heart, Blessed be Your Name, Come it is the time to Worship, Shout to the Lord, Lord I lift your name on High, God of Wonders, How Great is Our God, You are worthy of my praise...等等.
另外介紹的是"The Worship Collection" ,有10集,每一集3CD套裝共50首歌。每套售$130,便有50首了!每集的特色各有不同(我買了3集),有些是新些的歌(指2000後創作的),有經典的(如"what a friend we have in Jesus"), 有些是活潑的詩歌(近兒童詩歌). 個人認為,$130有50首歌,實在很超值.由於10集便有500首敬拜詩歌,因此又叫"500 Series". 摘錄Volumn 7 的2CD的曲目如下,你會發現有不少聽過,甚至熟悉的詩歌 -
(認住鴿子封面,每集的主色不同)
Shout to the Lord
Be still for the presence of the Lord
Shine Jesus shine
Lord I lift Your Name on high
We want to see Jesus lifted high
All heaven declares
From heaven You came
There is a Redeemer
As the deer
Give thanks
I will offer up my life Majesty
Only by grace
You laid aside Your majesty
Power of Your love
Such love
Meekness and majesty
Great is Thy faithfulness
Jesus Jesus (Holy and anointed One)
弟兄姊妹有時會覺得不知選什麼詩歌好,因為沒有一個Database, 一時間便想不起來了.其實Tips很簡單 -- Data 是要時不時積累下來的,聽得多了,自然就多想法!有空逛逛書室,遇到好歌時留意一下歌名,再上網找歌詞吧!
From Eugenia
