Austin French – Rest For Your Soul

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 review of 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?

It asks us if we’re worried, have heavy burdens, and have many questions, offering Jesus as the solution to our problems. While Scripture warns us about speaking for God falsely, French is careful by nearly quoting from Jesus’ words. He offers spiritual protection to those who follow Him, peace beyond measure, and the power to withstand life’s challenges.

I’m grateful that French does not offer false hope, by promising miracles and answering questions to those who ask God for them. Yes, God has the power to perform miracles, but not all prayers will be answered affirmatively, such as Paul’s thorn (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) and prayers that, when answered, do not glorify the Father (John 14:13). He also does not owe us answers to our questions (Proverbs 25:2).

Score: 10/10

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

Almost the entire song is based on a single passage of Scripture, with a few other lines finding Biblical support.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

Are you tired and troubled?
Weighed down by a heavy load?
Praying for change, searching for faith
Waiting on a miracle
Are you drowning in questions?

French asks a series of questions to his audience.  His solution is in Chorus.

Can’t believe where the road has lead
There’s one who knows, the heavy you hold
And He says

Jesus knows our burdens.  This is true because He knows all things (1 Kings 8:39, 1 Chronicles 28:9, Psalm 44:21, Psalm 139:4, Psalm 147:4-5, Isaiah 40:28, Matthew 10:30, John 16:30, John 21:17, Acts 1:24, Hebrews 4:13, and 1 John 3:20).

[Chorus]

Come to me
All who are weary and heavy burdened
All who are hurting
Come to me
I’ll be your shelter
My yoke is easy, my load is light
And you can find rest for your soul
Rest for your soul

Borrows heavily from Matthew 11:28-30 combined with Jesus as our refuge (Ruth 2:12, 2 Samuel 22:3-4, Psalm 3:3, Psalm 5:11, Psalm 18:30, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 32:7, Psalm 34:22, Psalm 41:2, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 57:1, Psalm 59:1, Psalm 61:3, Psalm 91:1-16, Psalm 118:8, Psalm 121:7-8, Psalm 138:7, Proverbs 18:10, Proverbs 30:5, Nahum 1:7, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, and 1 John 5:18).

[Verse 2]

There’s a peace that can hold you

That is, internal peace (John 14:27, John 16:29-33, Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:14-15, and Colossians 3:15).

And a power greater than your own

That is, strength that God offers to His followers (Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 22:19, Psalm 28:7-8, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 118:14, Isaiah 12:2, Isaiah 33:2, Isaiah 40:29-31, Habakkuk 3:19, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Ephesians 3:16, Ephesians 6:10, and Philippians 4:13).

When you feel so small, back to the wall
That’s when Jesus calls

This is not necessarily saying that Christ doesn’t beckon us during times of external peace.  But, in French’s experience (and mine too, if I may add), His voice becomes louder when we’re experiencing hardship than when everything is hunky-dory.

[Bridge]

You were never meant to carry that weight alone
You were never meant to carry it on your own, oh-oh
Come to the cross, lay it at the feet of Jesus

French skillfully ties in Jesus’ call to lay our burdens at Jesus’ feet to the cross, with Psalm 34:18-19 realized in Romans 5:6-8.

Come to the cross, lay it at the feet of Jesus

Repeats line 3.

[Pre-Chorus]

There is one who knows, the heavy you hold
And He says

Repeats Verse 1, lines 7 and 8.

[Outro]

And you can find rest

If we obey Jesus’ instructions, we will enter God’s rest (Psalm 95:6-11, Hebrews 3:1-16, and Hebrews 4:1-16).

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Unbelievers will easily see its Christian message, consisting of words such as “faith”, “Jesus”, and “cross”.  French quotes from Matthew 11 using everyday language, making it easy for those outside the camp of Christ to conclude similarly as my assessment in section 1.  Rest and peace are highly desirable, with French making it clear that some sort of trust in Jesus is required to attain them.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God that it calls us to lay down our worries and fears at Jesus’ feet, offering hope consistent with Scripture.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Austin French’s Rest For Your Soul is wonderful.  It presents Jesus’ offer of rest to those who will give Him their anxiety, laid down at the foot of Jesus’ cross, glorifying God.  While French identifies miracles and answers as desired, He does not overpromise by saying God will provide these.  Unbelievers should easily interpret similarly.

This song is inspirational but doesn’t seem appropriate for corporate worship.  However, it might be useful in a church service as a reflection song after a powerful sermon on the cross and Christ crucified.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Rest For Your Soul (listen to the song)

Artist: Austin French

EP: Wake Up Sleeper – EP

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), Pop

Release Year: 2020

Duration: 3:30

Agree?  Disagree?  Don’t be shy or have a cow!  Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.

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

Updates:

02/10/2022 – Added review of Born Again to introduction.