Symon Hajjar’s music is as unassuming as the New York native himself.  Hajjar gives no impression that his journey to faith has been smooth. However it’s been through the longings that Hajjar’s music, reminiscent of the Psalms, have taken shape. It took leaving home in an attempt to find his faith that he came to the realization the he had lost it.  Struggling with disappointments in the Church and bitterness in his own life he began crying out to God.

”I was singing about the way I wish things could be. The way I wanted to feel even though I didn’t feel those ways.”

Needing something to put his hand to Hajjar felt the leading to come to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he began studying at Oral Roberts University. Upon graduation with no concrete plans Hajjar got caught up with City Worship. A swelling of artists dedicated to serving the city through music. City Worship created the perfect venue for collaboration, rounding out Hajjar’s solo act. With a long list of songs and the commitment of others behind his music Hajjar set out to make his first album - a responsibility he felt to the songs that had been birthed in him.

“Hands down, it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I had to learn to relinquish control. You reach a point where you have to leave things up to God and trust that His hand is on what you are doing,” explains Hajjar. “Now when it’s all said and done I look at the album and feel great about it, but a lot of the process was waiting and not having answers.”

This longing for something not yet fully realized is also the common thread through much of the debut album, When Clocks No Longer Speak. The album documents Hajjar’s experience working out his faith. In that sense, When Clocks No Longer Speak is not strictly a worship album but a diary of the back and forth with the Lord. It explores the struggle of loving a God we can’t see and having faith despite the constraints of space and time.

“I wanted it to be known how I feel about Jesus, and where I stand in my faith and the place where these songs have brought me to. It’s like a breadcrumb trail to where I ended up.”

Ayschia Saiymeh