Bible, Music, OT

How the Psalms Remind Me of an Obscure Music Genre From the ’90s

Do you know what Ska is?

Gen-Z and younger Millennial readers have already started Googling for answers. Gen-Xers and older Millennials have already slipped into nostalgia. And Boomers will have a recollection, but only through their children’s experience.

Wherever you’re at, bear with me for a moment. This is how the Psalms brought me back to the ’90s, and in particular, back to one of my favourite Ska bands.

I had been working on my Sunday message.

The text was Psalm 130, and I was reading through it a few times, meditating on the passage. Then my mind just wandered off. For whatever reason, I started to reminisce about a Christian ska band that I used to listen to when I was in Youth Group.

Five Iron Frenzy

This band produced nine albums at the time of writing this post. (They continue to produce music, but have left the Christian market.) They performed over a thousand shows during their time in the spotlight (and continue to hit the road).

There was actually a movie produced about their rise and fall to and from fave and following. Here’s the movie trailer for “The Rise and Fall of Five Iron Frenzy“.

Where’s the connection to the Psalms?

Great question! Sorry for the rabbit trail. As I was preparing my message, all of a sudden, Five Iron Frenzy’s “The Flowery Song” went through my head. In particular, the following lyrics:

Beautiful day, wonderful feeling,
this reason to sing,
psalms meaning songs singing praises all day long.

Music styles come and go, but the Psalms (songs of praises to God and about God) never go out of fashion or popularity. Songs continue to be written in a wide variety of genres about and for God through thoughts and ideas that are sparked by a composer reading the Psalms.

Here’s the music video for Five Iron Frenzy’s “A Flowery Song“.

Now you can all get a glimpse of what’s been going through my mind this morning!

Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts

  • What song goes through your mind, when you think of the Psalms?
  • What’s your favourite genre of music, or your favourite band or artist?
  • Have any songs been written about the Psalms or stemmed from the Psalms?

Your thoughts are valuable! Why not leave a few?