Turn To Me OCP Song

[anfcatholic.com]

This question has probably already been addressed and if so just point me in the right direction. Tonight at mass we sang Turn To Me and I just couldn’t bring myself to sing the words, “I am God…”. It strikes me as blasphemous to say these words. I feel like singing, “He is God who comforts us…”. Am I taking things too literally or out of context?

 

[CatholicZ09]

The song is written from God’s point of view, sort of like “The Summons”, or “I Am The Bread Of Life” (that being Jesus’). It can make many people uncomfortable especially when saying something like “I am God…” when obviously we are not. But, the way the composer sees it is that he’s trying to make it like God’s speaking in the song. Think of it this way: when a lector is reading one of the reading’s at Mass, he/she doesn’t change something that says “I am the Lord, your God…” to “He is the Lord your God” unless it is written that way, of course. So, it probably shouldn’t be that way either with the text of a song or hymn. I think it’s okay to use God’s POV in a song/hymn, but maybe not as often as some composers do because it makes many uncomfortable. But, still, obviously the composer is not trying to say any of us are God, but he’s showing God’s POV.

 

[markomalley]

It would be far simpler to ban OCP publications altogether.

The better choice:

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/2894/2530lg.jpg

 

[RosaryCrusader]

There was an article a long time ago in the Homiletic and Pastoral Review about the very fact that post Vatican II we now have an abundance of music appropriating ourselves with God by changing the perspective from ours to God’s. The whole thing is theologically troubling and quite absurd actually.

Now, this particular song you post is not as bad as others but still if it gives you the willies then I’d just avoid it. OCP gives the me the willies in general.

 

[MarkThompson]

It would be far simpler to ban OCP publications altogether.

The better choice:

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/2894/2530lg.jpg

Right, then you’ll free of pesky music spoken from the point of view of God! Er, wait, no. “Ego sum pastor bonus, et cognosco oves meas, et cognoscunt me meae” (“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep, and my own know me”); “Ego vos elegi de mundo, ut eatis, et fructum afferatis: et fructus vester maneat” (“I have chosen you from the world, in order that you might go, and bear fruit, and that your fruit shall last”); “Inveni David servum meum: oleo sancto meo unxi eum” (“I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him”). Etc.

 

[pnewton]

I thought of this very controversy when going through the Stations of the Cross the other day:

My people, My people what have I done to you, how have I offended you answer me!

I led you out of Egypt from slavery to freedom, but you have led your Savior, and nailed Him to a cross.

boston-catholic-journal.com/the_reproaches_on_good_friday.htm
This point of view speaking is as old as Scripture. It is a literary device only.

 

[OraLabora]

Right, then you’ll free of pesky music spoken from the point of view of God! Er, wait, no. “Ego sum pastor bonus, et cognosco oves meas, et cognoscunt me meae” (“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep, and my own know me”); “Ego vos elegi de mundo, ut eatis, et fructum afferatis: et fructus vester maneat” (“I have chosen you from the world, in order that you might go, and bear fruit, and that your fruit shall last”); “Inveni David servum meum: oleo sancto meo unxi eum” (“I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him”). Etc.

Yes but of course every almost every word in the Graduale Romanum is lifted directly from scripture, either from the various books of the Bible or psalms. That would certainly end any controversy as the scripture reference is always given.

I prefer the Graduale Triplex myself as I sing in a Gregorian choir and I can get some insight from the ancient St. Gall and Laon notation above and below the staff.

It’s a pity we’ve strayed so far from our roots when it comes to music.

 

[MarkThompson]

Naturally, but it’s worth pointing out that singing “in the voice of God” isn’t some post-Vatican II innovation. By the way “Turn to Me,” posted by the OP, has a scriptural citation at the bottom, and includes “says the Lord” in the first line (just before the troublesome words “for I am God”), which somewhat takes the edge off of the whole issue.

 

[Digitonomy]

Yes but of course every almost every word in the Graduale Romanum is lifted directly from scripture, either from the various books of the Bible or psalms. That would certainly end any controversy as the scripture reference is always given.

The particular song in the OP likewise hews pretty close to its scriptural source Is 45:22 :

Turn to me and be safe, all you ends of the earth, for I am God; there is no other!