Cody Carnes & Benjamin William Hastings – Take You At Your Word

Contemporary Christian artist Worship leader Cody Carnes started his career in 2009.  He released three albums and two EP’s, including:

• The Lighter Side (EP, 2009)
• All He Says I Am (EP, 2014)
• The Darker the Night The Brighter the Morning (2017)
• Run To The Father (2020)
• GOD IS GOOD! (2022)

He is credited with two awards by Elevation Worship on their song The Blessing, including Worship Recorded Song of the Year (2020) and Song of the Year (2021).

Also, check out my reviews of Bless God, Firm Foundation (He Won’t), Too Good To Not Believe, Nothing Else, Christ Be Magnified, Run to the Father, and The Cross Has the Final Word.

Benjamin William Hastings has been a writer for the Hillsong megachurch since 2013. He released his self-titled album and GOD IS GOOD! in 2022.

Also, check out my review of Eden (Isn’t It Just Like You?).

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?

Carnes and Hastings believe that God will bring structure to the carelessness of their lives; the narrow road that leads to abundant life.  He makes them His own, gives them hope, and keeps all His promises.

Score: 10/10

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

Yes, yes it does.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

Your word is a lamp unto my feet

Quotes from Psalm 119:105.

Your way is the only way for me
It’s a narrow road that leads to life
But I wanna be on it
It’s a narrow road, but the mercy’s wide

References Matthew 7:13-14.  Excellent choice of words on “mercy’s wide” as this contrasts to the wideness of the road that leads to destruction.

‘Cause You’re good on Your promise

Though based on His timetable not anyone else’s (2 Peter 3:9).

Come on

Let’s go!

[Chorus]

I’ll take You at Your word
If You said it, I’ll believe it
I’ve seen how good it works
If You start it, You’ll complete it

See Verse 1, line 6.

I’ll take You at Your word

Repeats line 1.

Hey

The food that horses eat.

Side Note: Subsequent repeats of Chorus are slight variations that doesn’t add anything new that’s worth commenting on, especially filler that I normally poke fun at.

[Verse 2]

Come on, You spoke and the chaos fell in line

Probably a reference to Genesis 1:2 as the “void” is disorder that God later speaks into order throughout the rest of Genesis 1.

Oh, I know ’cause I’ve seen it in my life

Carnes and Hastings personally experienced God bringing meaning to their meaningless lives apart from Him.

It’s a narrow road that leads to life
But I want to be on it, yeah

Repeats Verse 1, lines 3 and 4.

It’s a narrow road and the tide is high
‘Cause You’re partin’ the water

References Exodus 14:21.

[Bridge]

You said Your love will never give up

Combines love never fails in 1 Corinthians 13:8 with God’s nature as love in 1 John 4:8 and God’s unchanging nature ((Numbers 23:19, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, and James 1:17) to conclude that God’s love does not fail or abandons us (Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 118:6 and Hebrews 13:5-6).

You said Your grace is always enough

This is so as grace is undeserved favor (Luke 18:9-14, Acts 13:39, Romans 3:20-30, Romans 4:1-7, Romans 8:3, Romans 9:16, Romans 9:31-32, Romans 11:6, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 2:21, Galatians 3:10-12, Galatians 3:21, Galatians 5:2-4, Ephesians 2:8-9, Philippians 3:3-9, 2 Timothy 1:9, Hebrews 6:1-2, and James 2:10-11).

You said Your heart would never forget or forsake me

See commentary on line 1.

(Thank You, God)

Gratitude.

You said I’m saved, You call me Yours

Carnes and Hastings are both saved (Isaiah 53:7-11, Matthew 1:21, John 1:29, Galatians 1:4, Galatians 3:13, 1 Timothy 2:6, Titus 2:14, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 3:18, 1 John 2:2, 1 John 3:5, and Revelation 1:5) and adopted (John 1:12-13, John 14:18, Romans 8:14-17, Romans 8:23, Romans 9:1-8, Galatians 3:26, Galatians 4:5-7, Ephesians 1:3-14, Ephesians 2:11-22, Hebrews 9:15, and 1 John 3:1-3).

You said my future’s full of Your hope

Alludes to Jeremiah 29:11.

You’ve never failed, so I know that You’ll never fail me

See commentary on Verse 1, line 6.

That’s it, sing it again

Self-explanatory.

You said Your love will never give up
You said Your grace is always enough
You said Your heart would never forget or forsake me
Hallelujah
You said I’m saved, You call me Yours
You said my future’s full of Your hope
You’ve never failed, so I know that You’ll never fail me

Essentially repeats lines 1-7.

The word ‘Hallelujah” is a compound Hebrew phrase, with “hallelu” meaning “a joyous praise in song” and “jah” or “yah”, which refers to the Tetragrammaton YHWH. Put together, we are singing “we joyfully praise God in song” when we use this word.

[Outro]

I’ll take You at Your word

Repeats Chorus, line 1.

Let’s go

You can do it!

Woo, Hallelujah

Yes!  Followed by a repeat of Bridge, line 12.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

The “narrow road that leads to life” is an unbeliever’s dead giveaway that this is a Christian song, combined with the words “Hallelujah” and “God”.  They will conclude that Christians believe God is the only way to live life and will take Him as His word because He’s kept His word 100% of the time.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God as their savior, guide, and way to life, worthy of their adoration and praise.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Cody Carnes & Benjamin William Hastings’ Take You At Your Word summarizes the entire song.  We trust God regardless of circumstances.  He’s been there before and has made good on His promises.  We have faith that He will do it again.  His way is the only way to life.  It is the narrow road that is full of love.  We are rescued from the chaos of our past and heirs to His throne.  These points bring Him glory.  Unbelievers should easily conclude similarly.

This song is suitable for corporate worship.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Take You At Your Word (listen to the song)

Artist: Cody Carnes & Benjamin William Hastings

Album: GOD IS GOOD!

Genre: Rock

Release Year: 2022

Duration: 5:15

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*Copyright © 2022 SHOUT MP Brio (BMI) (adm. in the US and Canada at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) / Writers Roof Publishing (BMI) Capitol CMG Paragon (BMI) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.