Melanie Penn is a talented singer-songwriter who blends faith and culture in her pop music. She was born in Washington D.C. and raised in Falls Church, Virginia, and now lives in Manhattan. With a background in the theater, Melanie eventually moved to songwriting and became a solo artist, working with producer Ben Shive. To date, she has released five albums, including More Alive Vol. 1, which was included in NewReleaseToday’s top 5 albums of 2020.
Her latest album, More Alive Vol. 2, showcases her songwriting skills and her emotional and shimmering vocals. It features the popular singles, “Follow You,” “Look Up,” “How to Sing,” and “The Melody.” The album received critical acclaim, being named one of NewReleaseToday’s top 10 albums of 2022.
Melanie's music features a unique blend of thought-provoking lyrics and the truth of the Gospel, making her a great role model for girls. Her songs address life’s challenges and emphasize that true happiness and identity come from a relationship with God. The album has a positive, grace-filled message of hope that is sure to inspire listeners.
In the style of notable singer-songwriters like Christa Wells, Sara Groves, and Ellie Holcomb, Melanie's music is sure to be a hit with fans of thought-provoking and uplifting pop music. I had the chance to speak with Melanie about one of my top “gourmet” songs of the year, “Peace.”
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
“Peace” was birthed from a sincere prayer—which is also the first line of the song—where I cried out, "I want to know Your Word/And not the news." I have fallen into the trap of constantly checking the news, and I know it has become a bad habit.
Despite my efforts, I have yet to break free from it. I believe that in our society, there is a growing number of undiagnosed OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) cases, as people aren’t doing manual or physical labor all day in the modern era, leading to many mental health challenges.
We’re idler now. When we’re working with our bodies, it can help our thoughts. I struggle with getting on a negative loop. I, as an artist, left Twitter, but I couldn't resist the temptation to follow the news and created a secret, anonymous account to do so.
Twitter’s format, with its brief messages, reminded me of the verses in Proverbs, and I became fixated on these tweets. I was constantly checking them, strengthening my negative thought patterns, and allowing my thoughts to be shaped by Twitter rather than by God's Word.
Scripture says to meditate on God’s Word. But I wasn’t. I was meditating on the news instead. The news always brings new information, just like reading God's Word every day brings good news. I was allowing myself to be deformed by the news. It felt too late to stop.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Genesis 50:20(NLT): “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”
Romans 8:28(VOICE): “We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.”
Philippians 1:6(NKJV): “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV): But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Philippians 4:6-7(NIV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Psalm 46:10(NKJV): "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
Psalm 91:1-2(NKJV): "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."
Proverbs 3:5-6(NKJV): "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Psalm 37:4-5(NIV): “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this.”
Psalm 46:1(NIV): "The Lord is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble."
Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV): “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
What is the takeaway message?
When you allow God's Word to shape you, you get beyond yourself in a healthy way instead of the negative. God's Word is true and provides nourishment for the soul, unlike the often biased and negative news media.
Media outlets present news as truth, but it has so many opinions. Why do we need to know about so many evil deeds? It’s important to keep our eyes fixed on the Lord’s point of view. This can be achieved through prayer and His Word.
God’s point of view is the opposite of the news. He promises to renew all things, show mercy and forgiveness, and never abandon us. On the other hand, the news often focuses on negative events and pushes the idea that the world is constantly being destroyed and not restored.
We need to stop letting the negative influence of the news disciple us and instead, focus on being shaped by God's Word. This is the path to finding peace that transcends human understanding, which is what God desires for us.
If we’re not actively being discipled by scripture, we risk being discipled by the enemy and his many tools, such as secular media and entertainment. We must be careful of what we allow into our minds and be cautious of the power of advertising and media manipulation.
Lyrics
I want to know Your Word And not the news Keep my eyes fixed on Your point of view Listen to Your whisper And not the gong of war Look ahead to what You will restore
When the world is crumbling I have Your peace My confidence in providence Is keeping me from blowing in the breeze All my security Is anchored in the promises You gave to me That You are making all things new When it’s coming apart, You’re in that too When the broken pieces are all I can see I have peace
So, I keep the image like a photograph When I’m overwhelmed it’s what I look at A picture of when every hurt and sorrow’s undone In the full resolution that is to come
And whatever was meant to harm me You are working for my good And when I worry You might leave me I remember You never would
Closing Thoughts
"Peace" highlights God’s character and your identity in Him. Many people find comfort and hope in the song’s messages, reminding you that God offers an unlimited number of second chances. Let the song fill you with hope and trust that God can use any situation for His glory.
Sing with confidence as you reflect on His words, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Trust in Jesus and don’t forget that you are never alone. This truth provides comfort during uncertain times and reminds you not to worry about things beyond your control.
God has a plan for you, even when it seems like everything is uncertain. It’s easy to fall into despair, but trust in His presence and know that He’s always with you. Trusting Him can be a struggle, but it’s doable. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
Trust in God's Word. Have confidence in God's ability to work all things together for your good. Spend time with Him and allow Him to redeem and restore you. Your story isn't over yet. God is still writing your redemption story. He desires for you to have a deeper understanding and stronger relationship with Him, filled with faith and security. This song encourages you to strive for that in your own walk with God.
As you listen to "Peace," let the piano intro and Melanie's calming vocals bring you a sense of calm amidst any turmoil in your life. Remember that God is always there to support you—even in the face of sadness and brokenness.
I no longer read the news and engage in social media. Instead, I read God’s Word every day. I write my thoughts in a gratitude journal to fill my mind with His truth. This is what God desires for you, to have a mind filled with truth and peace.
When you follow Jesus, know that you have the power to accomplish great things through faith in Him. This song is a powerful reminder of that truth, with lyrics that speak directly to your heart and fill you with comfort. By listening to it, you can allow your thoughts and worries to fade away and instead focus on worshiping God and surrendering to His will. By seeking God’s spirit, you can deepen your relationship with Him and experience His peace and power in your life.
Strive to know God, and He will come to you. You have the privilege of knowing Him intimately. He lives in you and has made you His dwelling place. He’s constantly making all things new in your life. And He wants to take your thoughts captive and renew your mind.
In Get Out of Your Head by author Jennie Allen, she highlights the importance of recognizing toxic thinking and taking action to change it. She says that toxic thinking creates an alternate reality where distorted reasoning seems to make sense. What you think about, your brain becomes. If you want to break the patterns of toxic thinking, you must be mindful of your thoughts and take action to change them.
God loves you deeply. When you feel overwhelmed by emotions, turn to Him, and He’ll give you the strength you need. When you follow Jesus, you can have confidence that God is always with you and will never leave your side. Embrace these lyrics as a reminder: “When the world is crumbling/I have Your peace/My confidence in providence/Is keeping me from blowing in the breeze/All my security/Is anchored in the promises You gave to me/That You are making all things new/When it’s coming apart, You’re in that too/When the broken pieces are all I can see/I have peace.” Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a longtime fan of Christian music, and an avid music collector. He credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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