Singer/songwriter and veteran worship leader Hope Darst released her debut album, Peace Be Still today.
A dream come true after 25 years of singing, praying, raising a family, and serving her local church, Hope shares her perspective on arriving at this moment, “What I’ve learned is that when we stay surrendered and keep saying ‘Yes’ to the season God puts in front of you, He writes an amazing story over our lives. Whatever you have in your life that might look finished or over, you have no idea what God could bring to life again.”
Take a listen to one of my favorite songs from the album, “Let It Out,” and I guarantee it will become your praise anthem.
“I love this song. It was the last song we picked for the album and the fact that I wrote it with two of my dearest friends, Robert Marvin and Charles Starling, just makes it even sweeter. Originally I didn’t pitch it for this album because the original demo was more pop and I didn’t feel like it fit the record. However, when we were still looking for a song to finish out the album I circled back to this one. Everyone loved the demo, and we felt like it was a keeper. We ended up tweaking some of the verse lyrics to really paint the picture of the power of worship through the stories of Joshua and the Wall of Jericho and Paul and Silas in prison. I truly believe that praise precedes, or like my pastor, Henry Seeley says, ‘pre-seeds’ miracles. Worship is one of the greatest weapons to defeat the enemy, build our faith, and strengthen us in every season. I want my first response to always be worship, that I will let out God’s praise no matter what.”
Psalm 94:8 “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!”