Photo by Saif Memon
David Crowder Band (known currently as Crowder) began in 1996. Crowder released 10 albums as David Crowder Band, and 5 albums and one EP as Crowder, including:
David Crowder Band
- Pour Over Me (1996)
- All I Can Say (1998)
- Can You Hear Us? (2002)
- Illuminate (2003)
- A Collision (2005)
- Remedy (2007)
- Remedy Club Tour – Live (2008)
- Church Music (2009)
- Give Us Rest (2012)
- All This for a King: The Essential Collection (2013)
Crowder
- iTunes Session (2012)
- Neon Steeple (2014)
- Neon Porch Extravaganza (EP, 2015)
- American Prodigal (2016)
- I Know a Ghost (2018)
- Milk & Honey (2021)
David Crowder won eight Dove’s as David Crowder Band and another three as Crowder.
Also, check out my reviews of Good God Almighty and All My Hope.
Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Crowder-god-really-loves-us-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.
1. What message does the song communicate?
God is Crowder’s companion, power, endowment, and Liberator. Crowder’s testimony is that God is present with him and loves him, as demonstrated on the cross and, well, present in his life. His compassion and undeserved favor are Crowder’s hope. They are sufficient for him.
The only issue I have with this song is Verse 1’s statement, “There is no judgment”. This is only partially correct. Crowder will still experience the judgment of his works, with rewards determined based on his performance.
Score: 9/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
Almost the entire song is Scriptural, except for Verse 1’s claim that God doesn’t judge crowder, which is partially incorrect.
[Verse 1]
Lines 1 and 2: Probably borrows from Proverbs 18:24, though referencing God instead of a human friend.
Line 3: Yes and no. Yes in the sense that Crowder won’t experience the white throne judgment, where he pays for his sins in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). No in the sense that God will judge Crowder’s works to determine his reward in God’s Kingdom (1 Corinthians 3:13-15).
Line 4: Repeats line 1.
Line 5: Crowder’s strength comes from God (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).
Line 6: Language borrowed from Psalm 16:5, Psalm 73:26, Psalm 119:57, Psalm 142:5, and Lamentations 3:24, meaning that God is Crowder’s inheritance.
Lines 7 and 8: God is with Crowder, regardless of the trials and tribulations he faces (Deuteronomy 31:6-8, Joshua 1:5-9, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 139:7-10, Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 23:23-24, Zephaniah 3:17, Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 28:20, John 14:16-17, Hebrews 13:5, Romans 8:38-39, and Revelation 3:20).
[Pre-Chorus]
Line 1: Crowder will give his life testimony in Chorus.
[Chorus]
Lines 1-8: Repetitions aside, Crowder’s testimony is that:
- He joyfully praises God in song. 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.
- God is with Crowder (Deuteronomy 31:6-8, Joshua 1:5-9, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 139:7-10, Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 23:23-24, Zephaniah 3:17, Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 28:20, John 14:16-17, Hebrews 13:5, Romans 8:38-39, and Revelation 3:20).
- God loves Crowder (Nehemiah 9:17, Psalm 17:7, Psalm 36:5-7, Psalm 63:3, Psalm 69:16, Psalm 117:2, Isaiah 54:8, John 3:16, John 13:34, John 15:13, Romans 5:6-8, Romans 8:37-39, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 2:4-5, Ephesians 5:25, Titus 3:4, 1 John 4:8-10, and 1 John 4:16-19).
[Verse 2]
Lines 1 and 2: God said this to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9 in response to the thorn in his side. Also, apart from the grace of God through Jesus, there is no path to salvation (John 14:6, Acts 4:12, and Galatians 2:21).
Line 3: Crowder personally invites his audience to receive God’s forgiveness.
Line 4: Repeats line 1.
Lines 5 and 6: Not that the cross literally speaks, but that it represents Christ’s message to us, that while we were sinners, He died for us (Romans 5:6-8). Apart from the blood of Jesus, there is no hope for mankind.
Line 7: Alludes to Christ’s defeating death (Isaiah 25:8, Hosea 13:14, Luke 20:35-36, 1 Corinthians 15:24-26, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, 2 Timothy 1:10, and Hebrews 2:14) and Lordship (1 Timothy 6:15 and Revelation 19:16).
Line 8: Essentially repeats line 5.
[Interlude]
Lines 1-3: Crowder calls his audience to sing along and calls out to Casper the friendly ghost.
[Bridge]
Line 1: God is both the Father and a friend through Jesus (John 15:14). Crowder phones Casper.
Line 2: Christ is our Savior (Isaiah 45:21-22, Hosea 13:4, Luke 1:47, Luke 2:11, Acts 13:23, 1 Timothy 2:3, Titus 2:13-14, and 1 John 4:14). Crowder sends Casper a text.
Lines 3 and 4: Repeats lines 1 and 2.
[Outro]
Lines 1-8: Repeats Bridge, lines 1 and 2.
Score: 9/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
Unbelievers will know it’s Christian because this song uses terms such as “God”, Savior”, “cross”, “hallelujah”, and “Christ”. It is a call for them to receive God’s compassion and forgiveness by….wait a minute. There’s no mention of repentence. While believers will already be familiar with the formula of repentance and faith, unbelievers may not be aware that they must forsake their former lifestyle of lawbreaking. They might also interpret “there is no judgment” as though God won’t judge them for their sin, confirming their lack of need to change. God is their friend, and won’t make any demands on their lives, freely offering forgiveness to anyone who wants it. At least, that is their potential conclusion from Crowder’s otherwise good lyrics.
Score: 4/10
4. What does this song glorify?
It glorifies God that He is Crowder’s source of hope, offering healing, forgiveness, might, and provision to anyone willing to accept it. His glory is hidden by the somewhat incorrect view that God doesn’t judge people and the song’s potential to lead unbelievers to false conversion.
Score: 7/10
Closing Comments
Crowder’s God Really Loves Us is a mixed bag. While I appreciate Crowder’s praise for God’s forbearance, sacrifice, friendship, and everlasting love, he is incorrect when stating that God won’t judge believers, if only for rewards. Though unbelievers can comprehend the general gist of this song, I’m also deeply concerned that they will be led astray, thinking that they can receive God’s mercy without repentance.
I cannot recommend this song for corporate worship.
Final Score: 7.5/10
Artist Info
Track: God Really Loves Us (listen to the song)
Artist: Crowder (Feat. Dante Bowe & Maverick City Music)
Album: Milk and Honey
Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)
Release Year: 2021
Duration: 4:24
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
Updates:
01/12/2023 – Added link to the lyrics and, in section 4, replaced “believers” with “people”.
Comments
Jonathon Enger
I’m a pastor and recently evaluated this song at our church. Your review was helpful in our evaluation process. I would like to share a few thoughts regarding the concerns raised in this review. First, regarding the line, “there is no judgment,” you say that the entire song is scriptural except for this line, but then conclude that you cannot recommend the song for corporate worship. In your review of Firm Foundation (He Won’t), you similarly express hesitation regarding a single line (“he’s never let me down”), but for that song you conclude that it would receive your recommendation for corporate worship as long as that line was explained. Why such different conclusions for two songs with one questionable line? In my opinion, an adequate explanation could also be given for Crowder’s line, “there is no judgment.” Second, regarding your concerns in section 3, I believe they can all be addressed within the song itself. For example, you raise the concern that the song might mislead people to think that there is mercy without repentance or a call to leave one’s former lifestyle of sin. But the song calls us to “come if you’re needing forgiveness or healing.” Doesn’t the word “forgiveness” imply that a wrong was done, and that repentance and transformation are necessary? Moreover, the song says, “the cross it has spoken.” Spoken what? That “death is no more” and “Christ is the Lord.” Doesn’t the word “Lord” imply that Jesus has authority over us and that we must obey him, including that sinners must “forsake their former lifestyle of lawbreaking” (Luke 6:46)? Regarding the concern that a person singing this song might be misled to think that we will not be judged at all (not even for rewards, or in this life for the purpose of loving discipline), I share this concern, but believe the names “Father” and “Lord” necessarily lead to the conclusion that there will be some form of judgment for believers. To sing “what a Father… he is” suggests that he is a good Father, and a good Father disciplines his children, which is a form of judgement (see Hebrews 12:7-11; 1 Corinthians 11:32). Regarding the name, “Lord,” there are numerous Scriptures that include the title “Lord” with a reference to his judgment of believers (Rom. 14:4; 1 Cor. 4:4; 11:32; 1 Tim. 1:12; 2 Tim. 4:8; Heb. 10:30). Would all of that be understood by a person (believer or not) singing the song for the first time? Probably not. But there are likely many things that are sung or spoken during a worship service that would not be fully understood by an unbeliever or newcomer without additional explanation. Certainly, there are many songs contained in the Bible (Psalms) and church hymnals (Lord Sabaoth, anyone?) that require further explanation, even for those who have been followers of Christ for many years. When I sing the line “there is no judgment,” I understand it as “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). The words “judgment” and “condemnation” are very close in Greek, and the word that means “judge” is sometimes translated “condemn” (see Romans 3:7, different translations). I think this can be easily explained to a congregation, which I intend to do if/when we sing this song in the future. Thanks again for your thorough review.
Vince Wright
Jonathon,
Thank you for your thoughts!
My concern here is about unbeliever misinterpretation; However, you bring up a good point about congregational explanation. Especially since I had given such a low rating on section 3. I’ll give it some thought.
-Vince Wright
Jonathon Enger
Also, for what it’s worth, it does seem that Crowder himself believes that all will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For example, here are the words to Sequence 7 in the David Crowder Band Album titled “Give Us Rest”:
When all is done
Judgement comes
And we will stand
Right in front of Him
Spare us, oh God
Spare us, oh God
Spare us, oh God
Spare us, oh God
Have mercy, oh God
Have mercy, oh God
This leads me to believe that Crowder would have us understand his line “there is no judgment” to mean “there is no condemnation.” Unless, of course, his theology has changed significantly between the 2012 release of Sequence 7 and the 2021 release of God Really Loves Us.
Tyler B
I do not disagree with your assessment of the “no judgement” line. However I notice what I at least perceive to be an inconsistency between this review and some other ones. You mentioned about how unbelievers may be led to believe there is no need for repentance, and I totally agree with that as well. However I feel like the same thing can be said for the song ‘As You Find Me’ from Hillsong. That song, and many other similar ones, also say nothing about repentance (unless I just completely missed it, and if so please call me out on it). I’m trying not to make this too much about that song because that’s a different review, but I feel like this issue is something that should be considered more closely on some of your other reviews. And I hope you know that I mean no disrespect because I know how challenging this must be trying to analyze every little detail of a song. Thank you for what you do!
Vince Wright
Tyler,
Great question!
I’ll respond here since it’s relevant to review consistency.
In the case of “as you find me”, towards the end of Verse 3, it says:
“But if this borrowed breath is Yours Lord
Take it all”
This is pointing unbelievers in the right direction in terms of repentance and faith. Hillsong also admits in Chorus that:
“And I know I don’t deserve this kind of love”
and earlier in Verse 3:
“Who am I
To think Your glory needs my praises”
It’s pretty hard for unbelievers to listen to this and think that they can live their lives for Jesus and not be changed in the process. Hillsong is preaching humility and surrender in these lyrics.
-Vince Wright
Tyler B
Thank you for the quick reply and what you pointed out here makes sense. I was very hopeful you would be able to deconstruct my criticism, as I really wanted to love that song. And I apologize for placing a comment that wasn’t really about Crowders song (next time I will keep it on the song I really am curious about). As an aspiring songwriter, lyric interpretation is something I have become increasingly aware of and interested in, largely thanks to you. I have a lot of learning to do, but thank you for being such an amazing resource! I look forward to reading future reviews, and maybe one day you’ll be reviewing one of my songs, if God does in fact have that in my future.
Vince Wright
Tyler,
My pleasure! I am also learning, as evidenced by my history of updates. Feel free to submit a song when you have something you’d like me to examine, even if I don’t ultimately post it as a review.
-Vince Wright
Jolee
The line “there is no judgement,” I know, it seems weird to put in a christian song. Unbelievers will probably not know what crowder means by “judgement.” I assume that crowder knows there will be a “judgement” one day. but honestly, crowder says “oh, how he loves me.” so he is saying “there is no judgement of how God loves crowder. so he doesnt want anyone to judge God’s love for Crowder. thank you, Vince!!!!
Julie
Thank you for this post and for asking for other’s feedback. I don’t disagree with anything that you said. I also questioned the line, “There is no judgement”, at first. Because of that, I don’t think it would be a good song to sing corporately in case there are people that could misunderstand the meaning.
However, I would like to tell how this song has ministered to me so much so, that I sent a message to the writers thanking them for writing it. Although the song had been out for a while, it wasn’t until one day when I was in one of my darkest places that I paid close attention to the words. The song has since become my “Go To” when I need to remember that I am not alone.
It is often a misconception that true Christians don’t struggle with anxiety. I’m not only a Christian, I am also on Church Staff and the truth is, sometimes we struggle. I won’t go into the details. But I will say that one day as I was driving, the first line of the song struck out to me like never before. “I’ve got a friend, Closer than a brother…” It was my reminder that it didn’t matter if everyone else in my life turned on me, I still had a friend. I pondered on the next line that receives the criticism, “There is no judgement…” We know that ultimately, there will be judgement. However, in this time of my life, I was struggling with the fear of judgement from my peers. I was reminded through the song that God would not judge me based on bad decisions some of my family was making. Only the writers of the song know their true intent of the words when they wrote it, but I am so very thankful that it was written as it has helped me get through hard times. I cry each time I hear the first chords of the song. Not tears of sadness, but tears of joy and gratitude.
Vince Wright
Julie,
Thanks for sharing! This is a perfect example of 1 Corinthians 14 on display, that some things are meant between you and God and others for corporate use.
-Vince Wright
Lou Griffin
I totally disagree with the context in which you guys are taking the line “there is no judgement” I don’t think it refers to whether or not there will be a judgment. (Pretty sure Crowder knows there will be) But rather that the lack of judgment is the basis of a relationship with God. He is my friend, closer than a brother….the judgment is referring to the way in which He loves me- “oh how He loves me” without judgment, not based on my sin or my lack thereof, but unconditionally, absolutely and perfectly, not based on my performance or any other number of ways that we judge each other and decide if they(we) are worthy to be loved, but only because that is who He is. I mean, what is the name of the song? Love you guys!
Lou
Scott Kirkman
Thank you! I agree with that 100%. The judgement line is being interpreted wrong. We sing this in corporate worship tomorrow.
Andrew
There is what you interpret and then there is what is written. The problem with interpretation, it can vary vastly between many people. I think it’s dangerous to leave worship music and teaching up for self-interpretation alone. It may not be a big deal to mature Christians but to non-believers or new Christians it can be confusing.
Craig A Willson
I agree with Lou here!
JoGo
I’ve spent the past 48 hours pondering how to change that line to something more appropriate so I can incorporate the song into a worship service sometime… it’s good to know I’m on the money in my reservations.
Vince Wright
JoGo,
Thank you for your feedback!
-Vince Wright
Amber Brock
Same! We have changed that line, because I want to err on the side of caution. Here were some of our possibilities (sometimes changing the next line’s ending pronoun):
It’s overwhelming (oh how He loves me)
More than abundant…..us
Gentle and gracious….us
Faithful and gracious….us
Steadfast and holy…..me
Perfect and boundless…..us
Merciful Savior…..either
Michaela Coleman
I agree with the rating for this song. When I was thinking about it, Crowder’s style doesn’t work well in a corporate setting because it requires the singer to have a good range. This is the case with “After All” and “Come as You Are.” It’s fine for a personal worship playlist. This is not a song I would personally choose for a worship set because it may not have as much theological depth.
Also, all the different pronouns bother me. Going from first person singular to first person plural is sort of confusing on what this song is supposed to be. If it was just Crowder sharing how God loves him, then that’s fine. If people want to sing “God Really Loves Us,” at least make the pronouns in Verse 1 and Verse 2 show that. I know focusing on this is ridiculous, but it’s what I noticed. Even the line “So come if you’re needing forgiveness…” could be changed “We can come if we’re needing forgiveness…”