Elevation Worship (Feat. Tiffany Hudson) – Sure Been Good

Elevation Worship is a church-led band that was created in 2007.  They join Bethel Music and Hillsong as the “big three” that has the biggest reach in modern Christian music.  They released many albums and EP’s.

They also won nine awards, including two Billboard for Top Christian Artist (2021) and Top Christian Song (Graves into Gardens, 2021), and two GMA Dove awards for Spanish Language Album of the Year (Aleluya (En La Tierra), 2020) and Worship Recorded Song of the Year (The Blessing (Live), 2020).

Also, check out my other Elevation Worship reviews. 

Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Elevation-worship-sure-been-good-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?

Elevation’s Lord and God, which is implicitly Jesus, willingly offered Himself as a sacrifice for their sin and shame so that they would become transformed people.  In response, they show gratitude by praising Him.  None but Him could accomplish this.

Side Note: To those annoyed by massive repetition, the last 8 lines of Bridge repeats the same words twice, with a second line also on repeat, and the two lines alternating for eight full lines.  Also, Chorus contains the phrase “oh my god”, which some people will find offensive given how some people abuse it.  However, I think it’s fine given its context. More on this in section 2.

Score: 10/10

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

The song sure does!  However, some people might take exception to the end of Chorus.

[Verse 1]

Lines 1 and 2: As stated in Ephesians 3:20.

Lines 3 and 4: Most likely alluding to a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Lines 5-8: Repeats lines 1-4.

[Pre-Chorus 1]

Lines 1-4: See Verse 1, lines 1 and 2.  Also see Philippians 2:13.

[Pre-Chorus 2]

Lines 1-4: While we were sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:6-8).  None could except for Him (John 14:6 and Acts 4:12).  

[Chorus]

Line 1: See Pre-Chorus 2, line 1.

Line 2: Essentially repeats line 1.

Line 3: The answer is eternally separated from God (Matthew 18:7-9, Matthew 25:41, Matthew 25:46, Mark 9:43, Romans 6:23, Jude 1:7, and Revelation 14:11).

Line 4: Essentially repeats line 1.

Side Note: The fourth line starts with “Oh my God”.  Though often used to break the third commandment, the context here is in reverence to God, not using His name as a minced oath.  Yet, that will not stop some people from taking exception with it.

[Verse 2]

Lines 1-4: Covered in Verse 1.

Lines 5-8: Repeats lines 1-4.

[Bridge]

Lines 1 and 2: He chose to do the will of the Father (Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42, and John 6:38).

Line 3 and 4: As stated in John 15:15.

Lines 5 and 6: Elevation responds with worship (Matthew 2:11, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 21:9, Matthew 28:8-9, Matthew 28:16-17, Luke 24:50-53, John 12:13, and John 20:28).

Lines 7 and 8: See commentary on lines 1 and 2.

Lines 9-24: Essentially makes the same points as lines 1-6.

Lines 25-32: Repeats lines 5 and 6.

[Outro]

Lines 1-4: Repeats Pre-Chorus 1.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

The words “Lord” and “God” will draw unbelievers to a religious interpretation.  When combined with the words “sin”, “shame”, which carries the same meaning, and “You didn’t have to die for me”, it draws them to a Christian interpretation.  Specifically, to Christ’s death on the cross.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Jesus as the only One who can save us from eternal damnation, drawing us to become the best version of ourselves that is holy, pure, and spotless.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Elevation Worship’s Sure Been Good is full of gratitude.  God is good to those who are His, saving us from the consequences of breaking His laws.  He makes us new creations, drawing us to be more like Him.  We respond to His kindness in worship.  These points bring Him glory.  Unbelievers should easily interpret this one.

While some may not like hearing the phrase “oh my God”, this song is suitable for corporate worship.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Sure Been Good (listen to the song)

Artist: Elevation Worship (Feat. Tiffany Hudson)

Album: When Wind Meets Fire

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2024

Duration: 7:32

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