Valley of Vision - Sovereign Grace

The last few years have a seen a great resurgence of interest in the theology and lives of the Puritans. Fifty years ago it was very difficult to obtain their works, but now there are numerous Puritan publishers, and many websites dedicated to their sermons and writings.

The Valley of Vision was a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions, released by Banner of Truth in 1975. It remains one of their best selling titles to this day. The Valley of Vision CD is an album of songs inspired by these prayers. It was produced by Sovereign Grace, and is being distributed locally by EMU.

One reason for the Puritans popularity is that they combine thoroughly reformed doctrine with passionate and practical insight into the life of faith. They had the highest view of God’s sovereignty and grace, yet they also wrote volumes answering earthy, practical questions like “What should I do when I don’t feel close to God?” or “What should a pastor say to someone who is dying?”

The lyrics on Valley of Vision embody both of these themes. It is an album about meeting the transcendently holy and majestic God during the times when life is most difficult, when we are at our lowest. Indeed, the title track suggests that it is “in the valley” that we see God most clearly, and learn to depend upon Him most profoundly -

“Let me find your grace in the valley
Let me find your life in my death
Let me find your joy in my sorrow
Your wealth in my need
That You’re near with every breath
In the valley”

The Puritans strongly emphasised the need to throw off the old life and it’s desires, and to look to Christ alone for our comfort during difficulties. This idea is superbly captured in I Come Running, my favourite track on the album -

“Jesus, I am blind, be my light
Darkened in my mind, be my wisdom
Bend my stubborn will to Your own
Open up my ears to hear Your Spirit
Melt my conscience once again
Help me hate the slightest sin
And when Satan comes to tempt me

I come running to You, when I fear, when I’m tried
I come running to You, to Your blood, to Your side
And there my soul finds rest
There my soul finds rest in You”

I cannot think of another album with lyrics like this. There is theological depth, but they haven’t just thrown doctrines on the page. It is theology with a beating heart - just like the Puritans put forward.

As with other Sovereign Grace works, there is also a strong emphasis on Redemption. From The Precious Blood -

Before the cross I kneel and see
the measure of my sin
How you became a curse for me
though you were innocent
The magnitude of your great love
was shown in full degree
When righteous blood, the crimson spill
rained down from Calvary

Of course, excellent lyrics are only one part of a good song. Happily, the melodies are good, and production values are strong throughout; it is a polished and often beautiful sounding album. The tracks I enjoyed most were those that tried something a little different to the prevalent “Contemporary Christian” sound. It was Your Grace with its rawer guitar feel, and In the Valley, which strips back to just piano and violin, come to mind.

Sovereign Grace have made all of the music available online for free. A number of the songs would work well for congregational singing, though others are probably better reserved as performance pieces.

But the focus of this album, I think, is on private reflection and devotion. In this respect, it is hard to think of an equal. Valley of Vision sounds as good as anything else in your Christian CD collection, and it’s certain to be lyrically more profound. And if it prompts you to explore the Puritans a little further, so much the better!

Many of my friends already consider this their favourite Christian album. I warmly recommend it.

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