Background to the Song: Give Thanks Unto the Lord (from Psalms 103 & 136)
This song, Chválu vzdejte hospodinu (Give Thanks Unto the Lord), was written by a Czech pastor and song writer, Karel Režábek, from Plzen in the east of Bohemia. It started life as a fairly traditional antiphonal song - almost folk style - but when we came to record it we felt it would benefit from a little rock treatment. This was particularly true as we had with us Ota Pinkner, a very gifted Czech guitarist, who is playing lead guitar on this song.
The album that this song comes from is called Létáni v bouri/Riding the Storm. The title reflects the need for us as Christians to become overcomers in these last days, but is also a title which echoes some of the tensions and paradoxes we face as worship leaders, navigating stormy waters at times in order to lead people into God's presence. It was a joint venture between Czech, Slovak and English musicians. (Most of the backing vocals on this track are sung by a very gifted Slovak girl.) The album was produced by Angel Mountain Ministries who are based in the UK and the Czech Republic, and whose goal is to raise up worshippers here in the heart of Europe. Working across the board with Christians from many different streams of the Christian church, both Protestant and Catholic, our aim is to challenge people to become radical worshippers of Jesus. We regularly hold events in the Czech Republic - teaching conferences, retreats and concerts - trying to encourage nationals in Central Europe to bring their own cultural expression of worship to the Lord. We also hope to start a European Worship Academy next year, based in the Czech Republic, working in partnership with others doing similar training in Romania, England, France and Portugal.
Please visit our bi-lingual website, www.angelmountain.net, for more information about
the ministry. You may want to consider joining us for one of our events. [If the site
comes up in Czech, click on the UK flag on the top right of the screen, and little pixies
and fairies will instantly translate it into English for you.] Copies of the album can be
ordered from us if you email admin@angelmountain.net. We have only a few copies left
which is why only the new English album is advertised on the website.
Please pray for your Czech brothers and sisters in the Czech Republic. The Lord has
given them a wonderfully tender worshipping heart, reflected in some of the more gentle
songs on this album. A song of worship which we believe could help to transform the
face of European culture.
John de Jong
