Austin French – Peace on Earth

Austin French is an American artist.  He began his career in 2014, after his appearance on ABC’s only season of Rising Star as the runner-up.  Since then, he released one album and one EP, including:

• Wide Open (2018)
• Wake Up Sleeper – EP (2020)

Although he hasn’t won any prestigious awards, he was nominated for a GMA Dove in 2019 for Artist of the Year.

Also, check out my reviews of Rest For Your Soul and Born Again.

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.

1. What message does the song communicate?

Amid the shadows of the stain of sin on earth, Jesus, in the form of a human bond-servant, came as a beacon of light and hope to bring freedom to the captives and put fear in its place.  Through Him, there is also:

• Earthly calm
• Love incarnate
• Unity
• Internal tranquility
• Joy
• His Kingship
• Singing

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

The entire song lines up fine.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

Into darkness
Comes a light

As prophecied in Isaiah 9:2.

Into silence
A baby’s cry

That is, the cry of the newborn Jesus (Matthew 1:25 and Luke 2:1-6).

The birth of freedom
The death of fear

Contrasts freedom gained (Psalm 119:45, Isaiah 58:6, Isaiah 61:1, John 3:16-21, John 8:31-36, John 10:10, Acts 13:38-39, Romans 6:1-23, Romans 8:1-4, Romans 8:20-21, 1 Corinthians 6:12, 1 Corinthians 7:21-23, 2 Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 2:4, Galatians 3:13, Galatians 3:22, Galatians 5:1, Galatians 5:13, Colossians 1:21-23, Hebrews 2:14-15, and 1 Peter 2:16) and fears lost (Genesis 15:1, Joshua 1:9, Deuteronomy 31:6, 1 Chronicles 28:20, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 34:4, Psalm 56:3-4, Psalm 94:19, Psalm 115:11, Psalm 118:6, Isaiah 35:4, Isaiah 41:10-13, Isaiah 43:1, Isaiah 54:4, John 14:25-27, Romans 8:15, Romans 8:38-39, 2 Timothy 1:7, Hebrews 13:5-6, 1 Peter 3:13-14, 1 Peter 5:6-7, and 1 John 4:18) because of Jesus,

In a manger
Christ is here

References Luke 2:7.

[Chorus]

Let there be peace on earth

As stated by the angelic hosts in Luke 2:14.

Let there be peace on earth

Repeats line 1.

Long awaited love
Heaven’s come for us

That is, the love that He will one day prove to mankind through His death on the cross (John 3:16, Romans 5:6-8, and 1 John 4:9-10).  He is also the embodiment of love itself (1 John 4:8).

Let there be peace on earth

Repeats line 1.

[Verse 2]

All division
May it cease

This is what Paul desired in 1 Corinthians 1:10.

Every worry
May it flee

…and casted upon Him (Psalm 37:5, Psalm 55:22, Matthew 11:28-30, Philippians 4:6, and 1 Peter 5:7).

A weary heart finds

Borrows from Matthew 11:28-30.

A thrill of hope
The world rejoices

Borrows from Adolphe Adam’s O Holy Night.

We’re not alone

Eventually, every knee will bow and confess Christ as Lord (Isaiah 45:43, Romans 14:11, and Philippians 2:10-11).

[Bridge]

Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let earth receive her king
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing

These are lines from Isaac Watts’ Joy To The World.

[Refrain]

Peace on earth
Peace on earth

Essentially repeats Chorus, line 1.

[Tag]

Let there be peace on earth

Repeats Chorus, line 1.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Unbelievers will chalk this up as a typical Christian song with Christmas elements that are familiar to them, including “into the darkness comes a great light”, baby Jesus, manger, “peace on earth”, and the opening to Isaac Watts’ famous song.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Jesus as the long, expected one, who brings light, life, and hope to mankind.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Austin French’s Peace on Earth is a good Christmas song.  Jesus illuminates the darkness, offers rest to the heavy-laden, gives peace to the restless, and has come to bring peace on earth.  Through Him, divisions will become a thing of the past, alongside worry and anxiety.  These bring Him glory.  Unbelievers should have little to no issues interpreting similarly.

This song is suitable for corporate worship.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Peace on Earth (listen to the song)

Artist: Austin French

Album: N/A

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2020

Duration: 3:21

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*Copyright © 2020 BrentHood Music (BMI) Meaux Mercy (BMI) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com), 2020 Fair Trade Global Songs (BMI) / Foundational Songs (BMI) / Austinfrenchmusic (BMI) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com).  All rights reserved. Used by permission.