Thomas Whitfield, We Need a Word from the Lord | Music Lifts 🎶 🏋

In the 39^th edition of Music Lifts (2024), we’re uplifted by the late Thomas Whitfield performing, “We Need a Word from the Lord.”

Welcome to Music Lifts 🎶 🏋, a column highlighting songs that encourage, inspire, and uplift the spirit; songs exuding fortitude, positivity, and resolve, even in the face of adversity.  Featured songs aren’t genre-specific; songs may or may not be faith-based. The goal is for these songs to make you feel better – be LIFTED to new heights!  So, for the 39^th edition of Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 (2024), we highlight “We Need a Word from the Lord” as performed by Thomas Whitfield.

According to the late, great Thomas Whitfield (1954 – 1992), “We don’t need another political uprising / We don’t need another conqueror on the scene.” Both are true.  Whitfield made valid observations. So, Thomas, what do we need? “What we need is a special world, that will bond within our hearts / And give us direction from above” Also, true.  Whitfield, who studied at the Detroit Conservatory of Music, penned and performed a gorgeous, meaningful, and spiritual song with “We Need a Word from the Lord”.  Whitfield was renowned for writing and performing awesome gospel songs such as “Soon As I Get Home” (often referenced as “I Shall Wear a Crown”) and the song at hand.  Whitfield’s rendition, covered by Shirley Murdock and Vickie Winans, appeared on his 1991 album, My Faith.

The centerpiece of “We Need a Word from the Lord” is its tuneful, uplifting, and wise chorus:

“We need a word from the Lord

A word from the Lord

Just one word from the Lord

Will move all doubts

And cause the sun to shine

And give peace of mind

Speak Lord, speak.”

Amen! The message urges us to focus on what He says instead of far less important or meaningful earthly things. Whitfield emphasizes our unworthiness and ignorance, lacking wisdom, understanding, and love, and asserting that “We’ve altered in They ways and we stand so much to gain.” So, what should we do? All lean into God and be like a sponge absorbing his excellence, omniscience, and ‘wonder-working power.’   Whitfield sings with a beautiful, refined tone, digging in as “We Need a Word from the Lord” progresses.  He navigates the key change, which increases the energy like a champ.  If you need a powerful, resonating word, this Whitfield gem will bless you.

Thomas Whitfield // My Faith // Benson // 1991

Thomas Whitfield, We Need a Word from the Lord: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 No. 39 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Benson; Monstera Production, Qamar Rehman, RDNE Stock Project, Thomas Ronveaux, Wolrider YURTSEVEN from Pexels; OpenClipart-Vectors, Quốc Hùng Hầu from Pixabay]