Benjamin William Hastings – Still You

Benjamin William Hastings has been a writer for the Hillsong megachurch since 2013. He released his self-titled album in 2022, as well as the curiously informative 2023 release of Songs You Maybe Didn’t Know I Wrote and Some You Maybe Did (Live at Sound Emporium) (Co-authored with Worship Together) and 2024 album Sold out, sincerely.

Also, check out my reviews of Abandoned, Take You At Your Word, For You I Am Living, and Eden (Isn’t It Just Like You?).

Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Benjamin-william-hastings-still-you-lyrics.

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.  I strongly encourage you to consider the potential blessings and dangers of this artist‘s theology by visiting Resources.

1. What message does the song communicate?

God:

• Created Hastings
• Foreknew Hastings
• Is the object of Hastings’ deep longings
• Sacrificed for those who are His
• Deeply loves
• Is present
• Saves
• Redeems
• Heals
• Transforms

In response, Hastings will sing His praises from now and for all eternity.

Score: 10/10

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

The entire song.

[Verse 1]

Lines 1-6: This touches on Psalm 139:13, as well as predesination (Proverbs 16:4, Matthew 22:14, John 6:44, John 15:16, Acts 13:48, Romans 8:28-30, Romans 9:19-33, Galatians 1:15, Ephesians 1:4-5, Ephesians 1:11, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Timothy 1:9, 1 Peter 1:2, and Revelation 13:8).

[Chorus]

Line 1: For everything else is rubbish by comparison (Philippians 3:8-10).

Lines 2-5: Repeats/essentially repeats line 1.

[Verse 2]

Lines 1-3: See commentary on Verse 1 regarding predestination.

Lines 4-6: References the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32).

[Bridge]

Lines 1-8: References four Biblical events to make the same point: God is with me through trial and tribulation.  Those four events are:

• The temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:2-14).
• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fire with the fourth person (Daniel 3:24-25).
• Daniel in the lions’ den (Daniel 6:19-23).
• Sea divided (Exodus 14:21-29).

Lines 9-22: Highlights several aspects of God:

• Draw men unto Himself (John 12:32) through His love shown (John 3:16, Romans 5:6-8, and 1 John 4:9-10).
• Guides (Psalm 32:8, Psalm 37:23-24, Psalm 73:23-24, Psalm 119:105, Isaiah 30:21, Isaiah 48:17, Isaiah 58:11, Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 16:9, Proverbs 20:24, Psalm 25:4-9, Psalm 25:9-10, Luke 1:78-79, John 14:26, John 16:13, and Romans 8:14).
• Rest for the weary (Matthew 11:28-30).
• Uplifts (James 4:10).
• His ways are worth learning (Proverbs 25:2).
• There is no other name in heaven by which we can be saved apart from Christ (Acts 4:12).
• God’s Word is foundational (Isaiah 28:16).  Partially quotes from Psalm 119:105.
• By His stipes Hastings is healed (Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 2:24).  That is, Hastings’ new life comes from His death.
• Hastings will sing about Him for all eternity (1 Chronicles 16:23, Psalm 33:3, Psalm 96:1-2, Psalm 98:1, and Psalm 149:1).
• He removes baggage (Matthew 11:28-30).

Lines 23 and 24:  A rhetorical question with a resounding “yes” as Hastings’ intended response.

[Outro]

Lines 1-3: Repeats Chorus, lines 4 and 5.

Line 4: Summarizes the entire song.

Line 5: Essentially repeats line 4.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Similarly as I have in section 1.  Calvary and the cross are obvious pointers to Christianity.  Almost the entire song is written in plain English.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

God as the One who helps Hastings realize how great He is.  He is adored, honored, and sung about for all to hear.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Benjamin William Hastings’ Still You is, well, still about Him.  That is, He who created us, died on hill Calvary for us, leads us, and heals us.  These bring Him glory.  Unbelievers will easily interpret similarly.

I highly recommend this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Still You (listen to the song)

Artist: Benjamin William Hastings

Album: Sold out, sincerely

Genre: Rock

Release Year: 2024

Duration: 5:20

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

Related reviews:

Cody Carnes & Benjamin William Hastings – Take You At Your Word Benjamin William Hastings – Abandoned Benjamin Angeles – For You I Am Living Cloverton – God Help Me To Be Elevation Worship (Feat. Chris Brown) – Another One Brandon Lake – Coat of Many Colors Aaron Williams (Feat. Mission House) – Abide Hillsong Worship – Love So Great