“Signs and Symbols”|Beautiful Eulogy

original-cover_artworkBeautiful Eulogy just put out their latest offering Instruments of Mercy (download it at Noisetrade here).  In the middle of the album, the song “Signs and Symbols” is a great reminder that we are to look to the Bible first and foremost for guidance in life.  The song features Propaganda, one of my favorite hip-hop artists, and he concludes the song with this line: “silly us, ignore the plain, we prefer a riddle…dying to see a miracle while holding God’s diary, lookin for signs…”  Give it a listen.  I transcribed the lyrics below so you can catch everything.

pump the brakes: stop sign

you saw the sign, now you ace of base

preacher saw them dollar signs

he on that paper chase

stuffin profits in his pockets

a wolf in sheep’s appearance

and the reason he’s makin that scratch

uh, it’s cuz those ears itch

pimpin out the gospel

a prostitution of false doctrine

lies whistle in the wind but we listen

if there’s a little truth mixed in

find a pastor that suits you

on the T.V. with a suit and tie

hitch a ride in his private jet

and you’ll be looking stupid fly

materialism and selfish ambition

is a foolish religion

the riches of God’s mercy

is more than your superstition

tell me, how does a Christian

begin to develop discernment and wisdom?

first we submit every symbol and sign

to the authority of the Scriptures

signs/symbols (repeat)

are you the kind

that’s completely consumed

by symbols and signs?

If you are that’s fine

but don’t you find it int’resting

how most of the time

your self-interpreting seems to coincide

with what’s deep inside

your heart’s desires

seems rather convenient, doesn’t it?

i’m not saying that God can’t do it

not saying that God won’t do it

that might very well be the case

i’m simply making an observation

of how much weight you place on it

what seems to be at stake

and how much your faith

is actually banking on it

and how much of your mysticism

is mixed with your religious philosophic system

sometimes what we believe to be true

from our supernatural pursuits

is actually a fluke,

a series of events that’s used

to distract you from the truth

but I’ll give you a sign that’s obvious

one of the most supernatural acts

is that God through his Word

has actually revealed everything

pertaining to life and godliness

there’s this idea that an individual

is somehow more spiritual

if he sees these signs and symbols

and takes what’s normally invisible

and makes it simple

but I’ll say the mark of a mature man

is the one who reads God’s Word

and understands

and allows that to govern his decisions

and prospective plans

signs/symbols (repeat)

I like it when the wind shifts

they say it’s the movement of the Spirit

still small voice, y’all here it?

remember that time I saw that leaf fall

I was positive it was God’s call?

wait for it, listen close

y’all miss it?

I’ll cite Gideon, Samson, Paul,

Elijah saw the clouds split

and know that God did it

and does it still

still His presence feels like chills, right?

and if I’m honest,

it doesn’t happen often…

something must be wrong

it’s boring when my life

is more like the book of Ruth than Exodus

I’ve never seen the parting of a ocean

or a cloud by day, pillar by night

just the normal, everyday workin of life

where things that suck royally

is evidence of his royalty

scratch yo temple

so deep it’s simple

silly us, ignore the plain

we prefer a riddle

dying to see a miracle

while holding God’s diary

lookin for signs…

Signs/symbols (repeat)

Published by Chad C. Ashby

Instructor of Literature, Math, and Theology at Greenville Classical Academy Greenville, SC

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