Beautiful 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)
I love this album