Bethel Music (Feat. Amanda Lindsay Cook) – You Make Me Brave

Redding, California-bound organization Bethel Music is a name familiar to most Christians in the west.  It’s hard to believe that they started producing music in 2001, with rapid growth these last 19 years, producing a whopping 38 albums!  Rivaled by Hillsong, Lauren Daigle, and Elevation Worship, Bethel’s music continues to dominate church worship services, youth events, radio airwaves, and Christian homes.

Check out my other seven Bethel Music reviews!

Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Bethel-music-you-make-me-brave-live-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?

Having heard about “You”, understood as God based on the titles “King of Heaven” and “Champion of heaven”, Bethel pays homage to God, experiencing His Love that washes over them.  Hearing God’s voice, Bethel is called out of fear and into the grace of God.

He did something so that Bethel could enter.  What did He do and what does Bethel enter?  Most likely, Christ’s payment for our sins so that they could enter Heaven’s gates.  It’s not as clear as I would like, but I cannot conceive of an alternative interpretation that would fit.

Though positive, Bethel sends the wrong message when they sing “I will let You draw me out beyond the shore Into Your grace”.  It puts the focus on the benefits of God instead of who He is.  Although God gives His undeserved favor to Bethel, He guides them into a relationship with Himself.  I understand what Bethel meant, that God draws us out of fearful darkness and into His marvelous light; However, their wording has unintended consequences in communication.

Score: 7/10

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

Most of it does; However, the statement that God draws us to His Grace is erroneous.  He draws us to Himself, not a benefit.

[Verse 1]

Lines 1-3: Most likely, Bethel heard of God from other believers.

Line 4: Bethel worships God, the King of kings (Deuteronomy 10:17, Psalm 136:3, Daniel 2:47, Matthew 28:18, 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 1:5, Revelation 17:14, and Revelation 19:16).  The specific title “King of Heaven” appears in Daniel 4:37.

[Chorus]

Lines 1 and 2: Describes Bethel’s experiencing God’s love using poetic license.

Lines 3 and 4: Slightly recasts Romans 8:31 to make a different point, namely, that if God is for us, then logically, He is not against us.

Lines 5 and 6: A vague reference to Jesus as the “champion” whose death and resurrection make salvation possible (Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 1:29, John 3:16, John 19:30, Acts 4:12, Acts 20:28, Romans 5:6-10, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 1:3-4, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 2:14, 1 Timothy 2:6, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 9:26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9).

[Verse 2]

Lines 1 and 2: God’s sheep hear His voice (John 10:27-28).

Line 3: Keeping the same oceanic theme started in Chorus, the “shore” represents fear that prevents Bethel from experiencing God’s grace.

Lines 4 and 5: This is incorrect.  God does not guide Bethel into His grace.  Grace is undeserved favor that He gives to them.  He draws Bethel to Himself (John 6:4, John 12:32, and James 4:8), not the favor He provides.  Bethel attempted to communicate the Christ-followers transformation from death in sin to life with God (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24).  Bethel’s wording is unfortunate. “To Yourself” would be a suitable alternative to “Into Your grace”.

[Bridge]

Line 1-3: When we are weak and afraid, God makes us strong and courageous (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).

Lines 4 and 5: Repeats lines 1 and 2.

Lines 6: Combines ideas in line 3 with Chorus, line 6.

Lines 7-24: Essentially repeats lines 1-6.

[Outro]

Repeats Chorus, lines 5 and 6.

Score: 7/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

For unbelievers, the only hints of religion are the titles “King of Heaven” and “Champion of Heaven”, keeping this song from a possible boyfriend/girlfriend interpretation.  Having said that, they will likely see this song as a religious individual who has an emotional experience with the god that they serve, whatever god it is.  Their god make the religious person brave.

Score: 5/10

4. What does this song glorify?

Its message that we revere and bow to God, depending on Him to help us overcome fear brings Him glory; However, it unintentionally errs when stating that we draw near to grace, taking some of it away.

Score: 7/10

Closing Comments

Bethel Music’s You Make Me Brave is mediocre.  It draws its listeners into an emotional experience with God, humbly revering Him with the 11realization that He addresses fear. It missteps when stating that we draw near to grace, as opposed to the Almighty.  Unbelievers will understand this song as a religious experience, but not clear enough to distinguish which deity is the object of worship without further research.

I cannot recommend this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 6.5/10

Artist Info

Track: You Make Me Brave (Live) (listen to the song)

Artist: Bethel Music (Feat. Amanda Lindsay Cook)

Album: You Make Me Brave (Live)

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2014

Duration: 6:06

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

Updates:

06/29/2021 – After consulting several sources, I changed my mind on the context and meaning of Psalm 42:7, which is about the depth of God’s severe dealings and not love.  Therefore, I removed it from this review.

06/11/2021 – Per Artist Theology announcement, I expanded the red text to encourage others to study Bethel Music’s theology.

03/19/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.  This raised its score, from 6/10 to 6.5/10.