Jason Coghill (Photography by Warcry 2005)

Mr Psalm Man [Originally published in Warcry. Reprinted with permission.]

As far as Jason Coghill’s concerned, who needs lyrics when you’ve got God’s words?

The Book of Psalms; a biblical song- book that is comprised of songs alternately praising, worshipping, and even railing against God. Penned by ancient authors, including biblical ‘celebrity’ King David, in recent years several musicians have turned their composition skills to reinterpreting the psalms in a contemporary music context. Among them is Australian singer/guitar-ist Jason Coghill.

Formerly a member of group The Sons of Korah (also renowned for their modern take on the psalms), of recent years Coghill has (amicably) departed the group as a solo artist. His latest album, Wells of Salvation*, picks up where his previous one, Songs of Deliverance, left off; re-presenting a selection of psalms with a folk-like, acoustic guitar-driven sensibility.

Coghill says his musical influences growing up included seminal Kiwi/Australian act Crowded House, as well as other ‘bands that are big on vocal harmony’. ‘But my biggest influence in recording these albums are the words of the psalms,’ he stresses. ‘They dictate the music.’ Coghill sees his musical mission as two- fold. Firstly, he sees putting words from the Bible to music as an effective way to communicate the gospel.

‘I want to focus more on the teaching ministry of it...my music gets me into places where I can preach the gospel [most of Coghill’s concerts take place within church walls], which I think is really my stronger calling.’ He also sees his very listenable music as a way of bridging inter-generational musical tastes within the church. ‘Christianity is made up of six-year-olds, 16-year-olds and 96-year-olds,’ he says. ‘If I’m going to engage in a Christian ministry and call it worship...the music has to be of a style everyone can appreciate. ‘And so with Songs of Deliverance and Wells of Salvation, the music is such that whether you’re 18 or 80 you can hear the words clearly, and you can sing along to them.’

It’s salient to note that ‘fame’ is not among Coghill’s stated motives for pursuing a career as a performer. ‘I don’t see myself as an entertainer,’ he says. ‘I do that side of things to -- during the week or when I’m not doing ministry I play in a band and we do weddings and parties etc... I separate that from this ministry [singing psalms]. ‘I’m not saying I’m free of pride; of course not. If people love the music and are blessed by it... [But it’s important to remember] you can be blessed with good gifts; you can show them, and minister with them, but all glory should go to God.’

It’s a credo that rang true with one Melbourne-based record producer, Mark Tulk. Tulk heard Coghill perform at a suburban church and immediately put up his hand to lay down the tracks for the album that would become Wells of Salvation. ‘It wasn’t a matter of looking around for record labels; it was God’s providence,’ Coghill declares. ‘Before we knew it, [Tulk’s] Small House Records was up and running, the studio was built, and I was the first artist to sign up. ‘He’s helped me out in a way that is good for him and the record company... and I’m getting the album [and hence my message] out there 10 times the amount as what I would just on my own,’ Coghill says.

The word is certainly out. Coghill recently completed a tour of the US, selling most of the promotional copies of the album he took with him. Currently he’s part-way through a similar tour of Australia. As well as performing, Coghill’s currently doing a few ‘psalm workshops’.

‘I’m really hoping that churches will see the benefit of these workshops and be challenged to implement psalm singing in their services.’ Of course, he admits almost sheepishly, he’s also hoping to sell a few CDs: ‘The more the word of God is out there, the more people can put it on in their lounge room or in their car and listen to it,’ he qualifies.

‘There’s nothing more powerful than the word of God.’

*Wells of Salvation is available from Small House Records.