Photo by Jared Short
Bethel has become another popular artist for Berean Test submissions. This review of Goodness of God will be the fifth under that label, with perhaps many more in 2020.
As some of you might be aware, Hip hop artist Jackie Hill Perry came under fire in August after participating in the Activate 2019 Conference, associating herself with, you guessed it, Bethel. This earned her a disinvitation to next year’s Answers in Genesis conference. This despite that some of Bethels’ music, namely Extravagent or Raise a Hallelujah, are highly Scriptural, despite their teachings. It does not make sense to me.
With that frustration out of my system, let’s move onto the review!
Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Bethel-music-goodness-of-god-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?
Bethel Music informs us that they love God. Why? Because He:
- raffirms His mercies daily, for all eternity
- clinches us in His palms
- is trustworthy
- is the epitome of morality
- guides through hardships
- is relational
In response to this, Bethel Music unceasingly worships, renouncing self to serve Him. It reminds me of the Psalm 23, where David declares that God is with Him through all his struggles. Part of it appears in the Bridge, strengthening my resolve. More on the “running after” in section 2.
We must understand that while God is faithful to Himself, that does not mean that we will always get what we want. That is the difference between accepting God’s will and treating Him as a cosmic slot machine, Word of Faith -style. To my amazement, Bethel’s usage of God’s non-failure is on His mercy, as opposed to the false idea that somehow God will never let us down, always rescuing us from, say, our bad decisions.
Score: 10/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
Though some may take exception with part of the Bridge, I found Scriptural support for all lines.
[Verse 1]
Line 1: There are several reasons why Bethel Music loves God, as stated in some of their lyrics.
Line 2: That is because His mercies last forever, renewed each sunrise (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Line 3: When we surrender to God’s will, He is in control of our lives (Isaiah 64:8, Matthew 10:38, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34-38, Mark 10:28, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27, John 15:1-11, Romans 6:13, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:7-10, and 1 Peter 5:6).
Lines 4-6: Retells Psalm 113:3 using modern language.
[Chorus]
Line 1: God is faithful when we are not because He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13).
Line 2: Thought it may not seem good at times, God is good, even when things go horribly bad for us. God is good within His very nature (Psalm 27:13, Psalm 31:19, Psalm 34:8, Psalm 107:1, Psalm 119:68, Psalm 145:9, Mark 10:18, Luke 18:19, Romans 2:4, and James 1:17).
Lines 3 and 4: See commentary on Verse 1, lines 4-6.
[Verse 2]
Line 1: Me too! That still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12).
Line 2: That is, through trials and tribulations. This serves to stretch our faith (Psalm 66:8-12, Acts 14:22, Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4, and 1 Peter 1:5-9).
Line 3: There are two aspects of this. One is that God is omnipresent (1 Kings 8:27, Psalm 139:7-12, Proverbs 15:3, Jeremiah 23:23-24, Colossians 1:17, and Hebrews 4:13). The other is that of our personal experience with Him, sensitive to His Presence in our lives for those filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5, Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:16-19, Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 5:18, and 2 Timothy 1:14).
Lines 4 and 5: Both types of relationships are personal. One is of authority, surrendering to His ways and commandments (see Verse 1, line 3). The other is companionship, to which Jesus called those who do as He commands friends (John 15:14-15).
Line 6: bethel describes their experiences with God’s Presence as good. See Chorus, line 2.
[Bridge]
Lines 1 and 2: By “running after”, Bethel probably means “follow”, which agrees with Psalm 23:6. One may be tempted to think this as pompous arrogance; However, the next line squashes this interpretation.
Lines 3 and 4: See commentary on Verse 1, line 3.
Lines 5-10: Repeats lines 1-4 in varying degrees.
Score: 10/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
Any unbeliever with any remote connection with Christianity shall find it difficult to disagree with me. They should easily see that it’s a Christian song, especially since few religious worldviews’ non-christian followers claim to have a relationship with the god they serve. Bethel’s language contains minimal Christian-ese, opting for everyday language to communicate, a plus for non-Christians.
Score: 10/10
4. What does this song glorify?
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Amen and amen!
Score: 10/10
Closing Comments
Goodness of God is the first song to receive perfect Berean Test score under the label Bethel Music. Much like Jesus of Nazareth, I could find no fault or accusation to criticize. Highly Scriptural, it speaks on the goodness and kindness of God, with an appropriate response of devotion to Him, bringing Him glory. They carefully balance faithfulness to Scripture with modern English, making communication a breeze for the unbelieving ear.
I highly recommend this song for any worship set! Feel free to substitute “I” for “we” for added corporate effect.
Final Score: 10/10
Artist Info
Track: Goodness of God (Live) (listen to the song)
Artist: Bethel Music
Album: Victory (Live)
Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)
Release Year: 2019
Duration: 4:56
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
Updates:
06/11/2021 – Per Artist Theology announcement, I expanded the red text to encourage others to study Bethel Music’s theology.
03/17/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.
Comments
John
The only line I struggle with is…..”from the moment that I wake up, until I lay my head, i will song of the goodness of God”. Don’t know if you’re all much holier than me but I can’t really sing that line as it’s just not true! Maybe when I wake up I might sing of the goodness of God but within 10 mins I’m telling kids to hurry up and get ready! Nice line but paints an untrue picture of our lives I fear?
Scott
The part that seems confusing to me is the first part of the second verse that says “I love His voice”. How can you “love His voice” because He doesn’t speak audibly to us. We wouldn’t know what His voice sounds like. God only speaks through His word. The rest of the song is spot on.
Tristan
John 10:4-5 “ The sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, for they do not know the voice of strangers“
John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
God bless 🙂
Ben
Thanks for your balanced and respectful approach! Just a comment, which addresses a few people’s hesitance with the bridge lines: the Bethel lyrics are actually a really good translation of the last verse of Psalm 23–probably a better translation than most of our English translations. The Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew lexicon gives these English counterparts for the Hebrew word “radaph”: “pursue, chase, persecute.” It later goes on to give the sense, “pursue, dog…in good sense, attend closely upon,” and quotes Ps 23 as a reference for this. Clearly with the subjects “goodness and mercy/faithfulness,” this is a good thing, but it is the picture of a pursuit! “Follow” probably doesn’t cut it. The NET translation captures this: “Surely your goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all my days…” (Psalm 23:6a NET).
George E Darling
Running after man is the theme of the entire Bible. No truer statement than “He’s Running After Me”
Bob
Thank you Vince, we need this ministry. I’m not surprised you had all 10s. This song oozes with the gospel. It was so obvious the first time I heard it, I immediately started weeping when I sang the chorus the first time.
All my life He has been faithful. All my life He has been so, so, good. Never giving me what I deserve (Rom 2:4), and never forsaking me to foolish self-righteousness (2 Tim 2:13), but disciplining and training me up in the Spirit to be conformed to his image for his Glory (Heb 12, 2 Cor 4)
Maybe one has to be a father to truly understand the bridge. I was 57 years old before someone taught me the doctrine of God the Father, and what makes a Good Father. I had always envisioned Him as stoic, watching over me and measuring my performance, waiting for me to “earn” his approval. Sure, I was saved from damnation, but I had a long way to go if I was going to be worthy of resting in his presence. That’s not our heavenly Father.
The Good Father pursues me for my welfare, because he delights in me (Mic 7:18). The Giver of Life speaks a better word over me when others would shame or condemn me. The Father is quick to forgive, restoring my relationship with Him when I repent. There’s no clearer word-picture than “running after” to encapsulate the work of the Father and Spirit in bringing dead, lifeless sinners to repentance, and then again lifting up the redeemed when we trip over ourselves trying to pursue righteousness on our own strength. As a Father myself, I can testify the idea of running expresses the emotional joy and passion to quickly embrace and enjoy the intimacy of relationship with the beloved. (Isa 46:13, Heb 10:37)
And who can miss the very definition of “goodness” and “mercy” in the doctrines of election and salvation (Eph 1:3-9), pursuing us from the day we are born to bring us into His kingdom (Rom 5:6-11)? Who could ever think the doctrine of sanctification is ensured by OUR faithfulness? All my life HE has been faithful (Heb 12:9-10), not me (Rom 7).
Someone said to me when I was new in Christ, the older you get, the more you realize how much of a sinner you are. Now that I am old, I can testify to that truth. Praise God for His work of Sanctification (Heb 12:1-13), taking me through various trials, showing me how far I am from who He created me to be (Romans 7).
I’ve known Him as a Father. I’ve known Him as a Friend. And I have lived in the goodness of God. He’s never failed me. His hand has kept me safe for the day of salvation.
Vince Wright
Bob,
Thank you for your compliment and for sharing your thoughts! Great points.
-Vince Wright
David
It is not the song…
It is the words of the scripture…
This is not the issue…
The issue is what people do with it…
There was no issue with satan when God created him !
The issue is what he did with the gift he received from God !!!
So people open your eyes and see what ccm has done to people and what they have become…
Pharisees were the most law abiding people at the time , they loved and praised God . But they were the most remarked ones by Jesus not for keeping the law but what they did behind God.
Deceivers ,..
Followers of evil …
Jo
David – I find that alot of worship songs being sung in the Church today are written at a certain meter or beat, that encourages those singing them to, in fact, hyper-ventilate
and become light-headed thereby experiencing what they “feel” is a moving of the Spirit. I often wonder which spirit!
Tom Wolf
I too have a bit of a check in my spirit regarding too much repetition, especially in light of all the “chanting” that is taking place in the streets these days that I believe is used to manipulate the crouds. I have counted anywhere from 12 to 27 repeats of the same phrase in a number of worship songs. Repetition should not be a replacement for content, we can do better.
I came out of a religious system in which chanting was common and could go on for (seemingly) hours. I am concerned that there is a potential to manipulate the worshipers into a predetermined state. Too often, worship leaders (guilty) come expecting a predetermined reaction from the people in the seats to what they are presented. On that note, I have encouraged our leaders to sit with the people sometime and observe. If you do not see mouths moving, it may not be a sign that the sheep need more beatings, but it could mean that they are not comfortable with what they are being fed.
Bob
LOL. I think scripture is clear, we should be conforming to the kingdom of God not the kingdom of man or human psychology and reason.
Revelation 4:8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say,
“HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME.”
I think that’s the very definition of repetition: “day and night they do not cease”. We could all benefit from walking around all day repeating God’s glory, attributes, and praises. And if doing so takes your breath away, praise God for that too.
Ronn
“Your goodness is running after me”. My struggle is reconciling this image of God and His love with passages like Revelation 3:20 where to me the image is of Jesus waiting patiently outside the door to my heart, rather than chasing or pursuing me. Then there’s the parable of the prodigal son. Yes, the father runs to the son at the end, but when the son leaves at the beginning of the story to squander his inheritance away, the Father doesn’t run madly after him, pursuing him to the depths of his depravity, but patiently waits for him to return on his own.
On the other hand “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life” does seem to indicate that His goodness, though it may not be chasing me down, at the very least will continue to follow me. Then, of course Psalm 139 says that no matter where I go God will be there. Is that image of God chasing me? or is it simply an admission that God is everywhere already?
In researching this, I looked up the words of the poet Francis Thompson, from where we get the reference to God as the “Hound of Heaven” (http://www.houndofheaven.com/poem). In about the middle of the poem he explains it this way:
“Nigh and nigh draws the chase,
With unperturbèd pace,
Deliberate speed, majestic instancy”.
So then, perhaps the “chase” and “pursuit” is not a frantic running, a “chasing down”, a “hunt” (which unfortunately is the first image that comes to my mind) but a more deliberate, and unperturbed following, being ready to always pick me up when I fall (Psalm 37:24).
Vince Wright
Ronn,
Thank you for your comments!
What do you think about Genesis 3:9? God is looking for Adam and asking “where are you?”
-Vince Wright
Ronn Pricer
Vince, thanks for your quick reply.
There is no denying that God wants a relationship with each and everyone of us, even to the extent that He would be willing to sacrifice His own Son on the cross to allow that relationship to exist. And there’s no denying that God, in Gen. 3:9, wants to meet with Adam in the garden. However, if someone were to describe that scene in Genesis with phrases like “chasing after”, “running after”, “with reckless love pursuing” (all phrases in currently popular worship songs), I would have imagined God frantically running through the garden “recklessly” destroying parts of the garden until He found Adam and forcibly brought Him out into the open. (Think police in hot pursuit of a criminal, or fox hounds chasing a fox on a very British fox hunt.)
In actuality, as you know, God simply comes to the garden to meet Adam, as was His practice, and through a series of questions, questions that He already knows the answer to, He gently coaxes him into a confession of His sin.
That said, I realized early this morning that people also use “chasing after”, and “pursuing” in a much more benign way. “I’m pursuing a degree in computer programming.” “I’m chasing after my dream.” In both of these cases there is nothing frantic about it, but rather a methodical deliberateness. And so, I’m willing to concede that “chasing” and “pursuing”, at least to some people, may be perfectly acceptable descriptions of God’s desire “that no one should perish.” (2 Peter 3:9). For that matter, I’m also working on rewiring my own definition of “reckless” to include “the foolishness of God.” (1 Cor. 1:25). Although, the term still suggests an attitude of carelessness for the damage I may inflict along the way. We’ll see…
Vince Wright
Ronn,
Thanks for your self-reflection!
-Vince Wright
Chris May
In the third line of verse 1 the biblical inspiration that occurred to me most strongly was Palm 139, especially verses 5 and 15-16.
Les Connell
I personally have a problem of the goodness of God running after me, scripture in galatians tells me that goodness is a fruit of the spirit,so by implication I have the goodness of God in me by the in dwelling of the Holy Spirit , now I know I am taking the scripture literally ,I know the psalms indicate goodness running after David but this happening after the new dispensation of salvation to the gentiles ,I question the subject ,
Steve Barhydt
So, if I hear you right, since everything that happened after the Cross is ” happening after the new dispensation of salvation to the gentiles” we can safely ignore everything in the Old Testament?
Surely you do not mean this!
The Fruit of The Spirit is the outward manifestation of an inward change within the Christian brought about by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (i.e. We love because God loves, we have Peace because He manifests peace through us, etc.)
God’s own Love, Long-Suffering, Goodness, etc. is still made manifest by HIS OWN ACTIONS not just through us by way of the Fruits of the Spirit.
Before we loved Him, He pursued us.
Since we have loved Him, when we go astray, He still pursues us.
As Vince said in his excellent review, the idea of God “running after” us is found in Psalms 23:6 and, in no way, negates the Fruit of the Spirit “Goodness”.
In the KJV the words “shall follow” from Strongs Concordance https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h7291/kjv/wlc/0-1/
רָדַף râdaph, raw-daf’; a primitive root; to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by):—chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r).
Psalm 23:6 says “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
God’s Old Testament promises DID NOT cease functioning in “the new dispensation”.
Tony Conrad
I don’t fully understand this. We sang this song on Sunday and I was getting the impression God was supposed to be running after us whereas I always thought that we are running after God. I felt it was a bit presumptious. I didn’t know it was supposed to be God’s goodness running after us. That didn’t come across.
On another point I don’t think there is anything in the new testament that we have to rely on a praise leade’rs choice of song all the time. The scripture says everyone one of you has a psalm. There is no such thing as a praise leader in the new testament. I suppose that’s why I find small meetings without a big band so blessed where we make our own praise which leaves room for all sorts of contributions..
Vince Wright
Tony,
Thank you for your comment! I thought it was the goodness of God that runs after us. After all, this shows up in Psalm 23:6.
Also, did you read my review? If so, what parts of it did you disagree with? It addresses a lot of the issues you brought up, except for the position of “praise leader”. There isn’t an official position like that in the New Testament, but I always thought that was a Romans 14 issue.
-Vince Wright
Joshua Miller
I have read a couple of reviews here. And to be honest I have to say I am disappointed. As a worship leader, it is our responsibility to bring research and bring songs that are biblically sound so that the people we lead can bring their sacrifice of praise. These reviews seem outdated and out of touch. Taking away from songs because of what you deem to be repetitive, is not analyzing lyrics in Jesus’ name. It is analyzing them in your preference. Outside of the biblical validity of the song, why should it matter if you like the chorus or verse, and how it is sung or repeated, shouldn’t that be up to the worship leader? Also, if a song focuses on a characteristic of God and not list the full on gospel from verse 1 to the end, does not take away from the excellence or lack there of for that particular song. When I rad what this site was doing, I was excited, but after reading I am now disappointed. But you clearly have an audience that appreciates what you do. So peace be with you.
Vince Wright
Joshua,
Thank you for your concerns! I am sorry to disappoint you. If you must, by all means, examine section 2 and throw out the rest.
I agree that ” if you like the chorus or verse, and how it is sung or repeated” should be “up to the worship leader”. At the end of the day, it’s your worship set, so you get to decide what goes into it, regardless of what I have to say on the matter and the biases that come with it.
As for ” if a song focuses on a characteristic of God and not list the full on gospel from verse 1 to the end”, I also agree that it “does not take away from the excellence or lack there of for that particular song”, but if it’s supposed to communicate the Gospel, but is unclear in doing so, I’ll dock points.
I am mystified as to why these comments are posted on a song that received a perfect score. Perhaps if you had some examples, we could have something to talk about. Who knows, I might change my mind. I’ve done so several times already.
-Vince Wright
Mark
I agree with Joshua. In the world that has changed so drastically since these comments were written, it is quite clear that Joshua is correct. The Emergent Church is very clever at disguising disruptive and misdirected worship, especially through song lyrics. It is especially clear in this song which obviously declines to use the name of Jesus our only Savior. It is also clear that you read into the lyric what you want to ‘hear’ or derive the message you most want from them. But, the lyrics are clear and do not backup your reasoning nor meaning. I cannot agree with you. You are very mistaken. I am quite sure that those fooled by the message of this sing are adequately fooled by the lyrics of “Same God”. I suggest you take a listen to “Wisdom” by Twila Paris. As you do, have the lyrics laid out before you. Note that she wrote the song in 1999 as well…she has always been an annointed prophet, ahead of her time. 😉 Mark
Steve Barhydt
Mark,
First of all, I suggest that you reread Joshua comment as it has very little to do with your rant. Once upon a time, Vince would deduct points due to excessive repetition. (Something that he no longer does.) This is the crux of Joshua’s complaint.
Secondly, you do realize that not a single Psalm uses the given name of Jesus. Should we stop singing them?
I see that you are a Twila Paris fan, as am I.
Just a quick web search brings up the following Twila Paris songs that, in your words, “obviously declines to use the name of Jesus our only Savior” Are these songs now to be rejected?
How Beautiful
He Is Exalted
God Is In Control
The Warrior Is a Child
Your Whole Life Long
Make Us One
We Bow Down
The Joy Of The Lord
Prince of Peace
I Choose Grace
I could go on and on.
What about these classics of the Christian faith? Should these be removed from every hymnal in the world?
Amazing Grace
Great is Thy Faithfulness
It Is Well, With My Soul (Uses the name Christ, which simply means the Anointed One. It’s more of a title than a name.)
All Creatures Of Our God And King
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty
Again, I could go on and on.
A song is not “worthy” simply because it does or does not mention the name Jesus. The lyrics must be analyzed in context and as a whole. This is something that Vince does a great job of!!! (Meaning that the only time Vince is wrong is when he disagrees with me 😊)
Finally, you used the phrase “It is also clear that you read into the lyric what you want to ‘hear’ or derive the message you most want from them.”
The same accusation can be leveled against you (howbeit with considerably more weight in my opinion).
I seriously doubt that you have read the lyrics to this song (or any other by Bethel, Hillsongs, Elevation Worship, etc.) without the lens of your anti-CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) bias.
As evidenced by your Twila Paris “Wisdom” suggestion, you have superimposed some nefarious plot to lead Christians astray over the top of Biblically based songs. I fully agree with her song that we desperately need God to give us wisdom. I just believe that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, wisdom can come through songs just as easily as deception can. When there is nothing Biblically inaccurate within the song, wherein lies the deceitfulness?
I never cease to be amazed at the fact that very few critics of CCM ever bother to quote a scripture in defense of their argument. Vince quotes 50 passages in his review. Where are yours?
You say, “the lyrics are clear and do not backup your reasoning nor meaning”. Prove it!
Not with an anti-Bethel, anti-Hillsongs (“Emergent Church” as you call it) rant. There are many websites dedicated to analyzing and critiquing (dare I say, out of context “trashing”) of any and every Christian group that does not agree with their particular doctrines.
Show us FROM THE BIBLE where the lyrics of THIS song go so far astray. Then and only then can we have a fruitful discussion.
I challenge you to Biblically prove how this song (or so many songs like it) points to anyone other than God or will, in any way, lead someone away from God. (Again this is the warning message in the song “Wisdom”)
Until then, you don’t have the right to tell Vince (or any of the other regular contributors to this site) that “You are very mistaken.”
Mark
Hmmm. And you label my reply as a “rant”? I think you are mistaken. 🙂 In any case, yes you make some valid points but you sound rather militant. Rather than addressing every single tiny point of your lengthy comment, I will leave it at that… and may the Holy Spirit lead us all. In Christ, Mark.
**Edited by Vince Wright to remove commentary concerning artist theology/doctrine**
Lois Idestrom
GOODNESS OF GOD
Beautiful song lyrics but I question the bridge His goodness is running after me. Not sure what this means because I was always told God is a choice in our lives and when we sing Your Goodness is Running After Me, are we saying God is pursuing us or is it our choice and decision to follow Him? My Bible does not say in Psalm 23 that God is pursuing us but rather after we accept Him as our Savior, goodness and love follows us. God’s goodness is not running after us. The bridge bothers me!
Vince Wright
Lois,
Thank you for your comment!
Suppose His goodness wasn’t running after us. What would happen? We would be left to our own devices. No Jesus. No Savior. No relationship with God. No good. At our core, we are decitful and wicked (Jeremiah 17:9-10). It He did not pursue us, we’d all end up in hell.
-Vince Wright
Ronn Pricer
Lois, This touches on the age old paradox: Are we predestined or do we have free will? Though I won’t ever understand it until I get to eternity, I have to believe that somehow both are true. There are many scriptures that support both. That said, I have to agree with your interpretations of the words “pursue”, “running after” and “following after”. For me, the first two bring to mind images of a hound doggedly pursuing the scent, until he tracks down his prey. And this is certainly not the image portrayed in Rev. 3:20 of Jesus simply standing at the door and knocking. Nor, I believe, that it can be said the God (or His goodness) was “running after” Jonah as he fled his God given mission, to land in the belly of the fish.
But language is an interesting thing. I recently had a discussion with my 30 year old daughter, and to her, “pursuing”, “following after” and “running after” were almost synonymous. Back to the paradox though. John 6:44 says: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” So at the very least, we can say that although we are free to accept or reject his offer of salvation, He is actively participating in drawing us to Himself.
Personally, since Psalm 23 is often cited as a proof text for the Bridge of this song, I wish the Johnsons et al would have simply written the bridge as: “Your goodness will follow after, will follow after me.” It fits the melody and directly quotes how most Bibles translate the verse. Then again, I’m working on my own attitude and trying to give freedom to others to sing it the way it was written.
Steve Barhydt
Ronn,
I will repeat part of what I said to Lous above to directly address your comment “I wish the Johnsons et al would have simply written the bridge as: “Your goodness will follow after, will follow after me.” ”
Psalm 23:6 (KV)
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
*************Begin Quotes**************
From Strong’s Concordance the phrase “shall follow me” is as follows…(emphasis mine)
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h7291/kjv/wlc/0-1/
רָדַף râdaph, raw-daf’; a primitive root; TO RUN AFTER (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by):—chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r).
The Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon further builds on the word by saying…
†g. PURSUE, DOG, subject דָּם, with accusative of person Ezekiel 35:6 (twice in verse) (del Ezekiel 35:6a Greek Version of the LXX Co Toy Krae); in good sense, attend closely upon, טוֺב וָחֶסֶד יִרְדְּפוּנִי Psalm 23:6.
*******************End Quotes*****************
These very respected sources tell us that, according to King David, God’s goodness and mercy don’t just passively follow us, but rather they chase us, pursue us, even hunt us like a dog on the trail of a rabbit.
There are 8 other words in the Hebrew language that are translated as “follow” in the KJV, and yet, the Holy Spirit chose to use the strongest one here.
This is not because we are so great in and of ourselves but rather I believe that this is to show us just how much God really does love us.
In light of this, I believe Bethel’s wording in the bridge is perfectly in line with what is written in Psalm 23 and, therefore, 100 percent Biblical. I would not be surprised to discover that the writers of this song actually did research the Hebrew meaning of the phrase “shall follow after” and incorporated that into the song. Even if they didn’t, there is absolutely nothing inherently wrong with the way that it is written given that “shall follow after” can mean “to run after.”
Steve Barhydt
Lois,
Psalm 23:6 specifically says that God’s goodness IS following us. All other major versions say the exact same thing or use the stronger word “pursue”
I’m curious as to which version that you are using when you say “My Bible does not say in Psalm 23 that God is pursuing us.”
In any case, let’s look at the verse itself
Psalm 23:6 (KV)
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
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From Strong’s Concordance the phrase “shall follow me” is as follows…(emphasis mine)
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h7291/kjv/wlc/0-1/
רָדַף râdaph, raw-daf’; a primitive root; TO RUN AFTER (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by):—chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r).
The Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon further builds on the word by saying…
†g. PURSUE, DOG, subject דָּם, with accusative of person Ezekiel 35:6 (twice in verse) (del Ezekiel 35:6a Greek Version of the LXX Co Toy Krae); in good sense, attend closely upon, טוֺב וָחֶסֶד יִרְדְּפוּנִי Psalm 23:6.
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These very respected sources tell us that, according to King David, God’s goodness and mercy don’t just passively follow us, but rather they chase us, pursue us, even hunt us like a dog on the trail of a rabbit.
There are 8 other words in the Hebrew language that are translated as “follow” in the KJV, and yet, the Holy Spirit chose to use the strongest one here.
This is not because we are so great in and of ourselves but rather I believe that this is to show us just how much God really does love us.
In light of this, I believe Bethel’s wording in the bridge is perfectly in line with what is written in Psalm 23 and, therefore, 100 percent Biblical.
God’s “pursuit” of us begins while we are still sinners…
Romans 5:8 (KJV) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
He comes after us when we stray…
Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
He will continue to do so until we get to heaven…
Phil. 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
As I have said on other comments, I would encourage you to reconsider the “appropriateness” of the bridge. However, if you can’t sing the bridge in absolute confidence, don’t violate your conscience!
Tara Bengtson
Hello Lois,
Let me ask a question of you if I may. Scripture states in Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Matthew 18:11-13 For the Son of Man has come to save that which is lost. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.
Is this not a picture of a loving, good and gracious God, who in His mercy (another word for mercy is goodness) pursues with intent to find that lost lamb and bring it home?
I’m forever grateful and thankful for what Jesus has done in my life and I will testify of His goodness and His everlasting faithfulness.
The Goodness of God, from my perspective, is a beautiful song giving honor to the Lord and how He works and moves in a person’s life.
Please don’t get hung up on legalism.
Tom Wolf
This song was an immediate favorite of mine. I too fell in love with the Chorus, however, I soon became displeased with the unecessary verbiage in the Bridge. And why has it become so much a required element in just about every song to include a “bridge”, many of which become a “bridge” to nowhere? But I digress.
Meanwhile back at the bridge. This song is all about the Goodness of God, and then comes the bridge at which point it all falls down for me. We fly right past the Goodness of God and start singing about my GOODNESS. How I have “laid my life down”, how I have “surrendered all”, and how I “give you everything”. I have never met the human who has done any of that, at least not long enough to sing about it. I am embarassed that we include that bridge in any worship setting, but we do it anyway, because it is popular and somewhat new. And why is it that worship leaders are always chasing some new song, many of which are questionable? Some very beautiful and God honoring music from the very recent past, not to mention hymns, are now in the dust bin.
I have suggested to my church (fell on deaf ears of course) that we change the bridge to say: “with your life laid down, you’ve conquered death now, you have given everything” The glory belongs to him. If the Lord chooses to share his glory, that is his to do, not mine to take.
Robert Hernon
When I sing those lines in the bridge about me, I’m singing a present-tense response to confessing truths about Him and pouring out my gratitude and acknowledgment for His goodness. The Psalms are full of similar responses. A word search on “I will” reveals lots of false promises by David and company! What, we should not read and personalize those psalms because we can’t live up to the commitment on a daily basis?
True worshipers will worship in spirit and truth. Because we exist in these earthly tents, we will never be free from falling short of perfect surrender in this present darkness. For Christ’s love compels us daily toward surrender and obedience. To make that offer of surrender in response doesn’t diminish His glory. It confirms it and His sovereignty. It acknowledges the power of His Spirit to change and redeem a life. It’s the right response to the constant compelling Holy Spirit drawing us to sanctification.
We can’t blame the psalmist or musician for people turning the compelling nature of God into self-aggrandization. Heck, the word of God itself has been and will forever be twisted for self-serving purposes. How can we even imagine a song with perfect word choice. As I’ve gotten older I’m reminder more and more how temporal all my repentance is. Fleeting surrender I call it. Good for a while until I forget and take up my own agenda again. And even when I finally completely overcome certain temptations, the Holy Spirit sheds light on the “next” idol in my life and I repeat the cycle.
God is perfectly capable of protecting and defending His reputation. We do a most lousy job of it when we take up offenses. As our Lord direct in John 21, “What’s that to you? You follow me.” Each one of us is called to obedience in our own dominion of self, and let the Spirit of God work out the salvation of our neighbor.
Tom Wolf
I see your point and agree whole-heartedly that that should indeed be our response. My heartache withe the song is that the entire message from the title to the bridge is supposedly about the “Goodness of God”! I have ablsolutely nothing to do with God’s goodness, that is all to his glory. All I am saying is that leaving “my goodness” out of the bridge would have been more in keeping with giving “all” the glory to him and staying true to the Theme of God’s goodness. In the next song the writer could have used the recipient’s response to the Goodness of God as the theme. I close with the personal blief that song writers might just be in too big a hurry to publish their next album to pay too much attention to the lyrics.
Steve Barhydt
Tom,
First of all, a bridge is just a musical device available to the songwriters.
https://www.aulart.com/blog/the-bridge-a-key-element-for-a-good-song/#:~:text=The%20bridge%20is%20a%20crucial,song%2C%20keeping%20the%20listener%20engaged.
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What is a bridge in a song?
The bridge in a song is often considered one of the most important sections. It serves as a break from the repetitive verse-chorus structure and offers the listener a change in melody, harmony, and lyrics. The bridge provides the opportunity for the songwriter to take the story or message in a new direction, to add depth and dimension to the song. It’s a place for the song to shift gears, to build tension, or to offer a moment of reflection before returning to the chorus.
The bridge can also help to create a sense of anticipation for the final chorus and give the listener a sense of resolution when the chorus returns. In many cases, the bridge provides a climax to the song, offering a release of energy or emotions that were building throughout the song.
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Bridges (musically speaking) have been around for centuries https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_(music)#:~:text=The%20term%20entered%20the%20English,popular%20music%20they%20were%20writing.
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The term comes from a German word for bridge, Steg, used by the Meistersingers of the 15th to the 18th century to describe a transitional section in medieval bar form. The German term became widely known in 1920s Germany through musicologist Alfred Lorenz and his exhaustive studies of Richard Wagner’s adaptations of bar form in his popular 19th-century neo-medieval operas. The term entered the English lexicon in the 1930s—translated as bridge—via composers fleeing Nazi Germany who, working in Hollywood and on Broadway, used the term to describe similar transitional sections in the American popular music they were writing.
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Hymns, on the other hand, are another style of songwriting. https://blog.musicscribe.com/2017/08/what-makes-a-hymn-a-hymn/
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1. A hymn may be arranged in many ways just like any other song, but when it’s all said and done, a hymn can be condensed down to verses and choruses, or even just verses with no choruses. If a bridge, coda, vamp section, etc. is crucial to the song, it’s not a hymn in the strictest sense of the word.
2. Hymns feature a fixed, predictable lyrical structure. Once established on the first pass, the pattern is repeated on subsequent passes, whether it’s just verses or verses with a common refrain. There can be mild variations in the number of syllables from verse to verse, but not to the point that the character of the melody is lost.
3. It is not enough that the number of syllables in verse two matches the number of syllables in verse one; the accents need to fall in the same spots as well.
4. Rhyming structures are consistent from verse to verse. If the first line rhymed with the third line in verse one, the first line of verse two should similarly rhyme with the third line of verse two.
5. Most hymns begin each line at the same point in each measure, so if the first line of the first verse starts on beat four, each line that follows will start on beat four.
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There is no right or wrong way when contrasting songs have a bridge to songs that do not, it’s merely using different ‘tools’.
You lament, ‘And why is it that worship leaders are always chasing some new song, many of which are questionable? Some very beautiful and God honoring music from the very recent past, not to mention hymns, are now in the dust bin.’
This is not a ‘new’ phenomenon either.
https://strawpoll.com/most-famous-hymn-writer
Fanny Crosby wrote over 8000 hymns.
Charles Wesley over 6000.
Isaac Watts 700
How many of these are in hymn books in churches today?
From just these three alone, if you could find a single hymn book with 100 of their works, that would only be 0.68%. The other 99.32% ‘are now in the dust bin.’
How many song so you know that are in the hymnal at your church?
I’m 63 years old, grew up in church, have been in various forms of ministry throughout my life (including leading worship) and I can honestly say that at least 50% of the songs in an average hymnal, I’ve never heard.
My point in all of this is that songs come and go. Very, very few reach the longevity of an ‘Amazing Grace.’
As to ‘many of which are questionable’, that’s why Vince has this wonderful website.
Let’s investigate your complaint about the bridge of this wonderful song.
1) You claim ‘This song is all about the Goodness of God, and then comes the bridge at which point it all falls down for me. We fly right past the Goodness of God and start singing about my GOODNESS.’
This bridge states…
‘With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now I give You everything’
Simple English comprehension shows that this is not talking about OUR goodness but our response to God’s goodness.
The bridge starts and ends with “ ‘Cause Your goodness is running after me.”
“‘Cause”, of course is shorthand for ‘Because’ which means (according to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/because)
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1
: for the reason that : SINCE
2
: the fact that : THAT
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The songwriter is laying down their life, surrendering, and giving everything to God FOR THE REASON THAT , or due to THE FACT THAT, ‘Your goodness is running after me.’
The focus of the bridge is still 100% on the Goodness of God. There is nothing here that even mentions OUR goodness.
2) You say ‘How I have “laid my life down”, how I have “surrendered all”, and how I “give you everything”.’, and, ‘ I have never met the human who has done any of that, at least not long enough to sing about it.’
Whether or not any human (other than Jesus Himself) has ever fully accomplished this is irrelevant.
The fact is we are commanded to do so…
James 4:7-8 (KJV)
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Matthew 16:24-25 (KJV)
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV)
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
This is, of course, impossible within ourselves. That is one of the reasons Jesus sent to Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16-18 KJV)
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Phrases such as ‘my life laid down’, ‘I’m surrendered now’ and ‘I give You everything’ are part of a lifelong process called “Sanctification’ and you had better be doing it!
Since, this website is not the forum for extended Biblical study outside of the scope of a particular song, I will only offer Philippians 3:12-16 (ESV)
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
3) Finally, you complain, ‘I have suggested to my church (fell on deaf ears of course) that we change the bridge’
Your suggestion did not ‘fall on deaf ears’ it fell on wise ones!
It is against copyright law to change the lyrics without the permission of the author.
From the Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) website https://us.ccli.com/ccli-news/five-questions/
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Here’s another question we’re starting to hear more and more: Can I change song lyrics to fit our church’s preferences or theology? The answer is no—not without permission from the song owner. One of the exclusive rights of a copyright owner is derivative works, so any changes must have the owner’s permission.
Keep in mind that you are free to arrange songs as you wish, as long as it doesn’t change the melody, lyrics or fundamental character of a song. For example, you may want to start with the chorus, or even the bridge—if it fits the flow of your worship set. That’s fine. Maybe you don’t want to sing all the verses of a song, or maybe one of the verses has lyrics that you find objectionable. Feel free to skip verses. Just don’t change the lyrics.
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As I always try to say, if you can offer contextually relevant Scriptures to show where we are not say phrases such as ‘my life laid down’, ‘I’m surrendered now’ and ‘I give You everything’ I would love to have the chance to read and respond to them.