Hawk Nelson – Drops in the Ocean

Hawk Nelson is a Canadian rock band.  Originally named SWISH in 2000 and Reason Being in 2002 before settling on Hawk Nelson.  Under the SWISH label, they released two independent albums:

• Riding Around the Park (2000)
• Saturday Rock Action (2003)

As Hawk Nelson, they released eight albums:

• Letters to the President (2004)
• Smile, It’s the End of the World (2006)
• Hawk Nelson Is My Friend (2008)
• Live Life Loud (2009)
• Crazy Love (2011)
• Made (2013)
• Diamonds (2015)
• Miracles (2018)

They won several awards, including six GMA Canada Covenant and two Golden Ear Music.

This review was inspired by a user who was concerned about Hawk Nelson’s music due to their lead singer, Jonathan Steingard, who stated that he no longer believes in God.

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?

The speaker is unknown judging purely on lyrical content.  It could be God.  It could be a mere mortal.  I think that Nelson intended for the former; However, the lyrics may receive an easy Boyfriend interpretation.

Whoever it is, they speak of acceptance as we are, asking us to become vulnerable, breaking down defenses in their embrace; to begin anew our relationship with them.  They know that we experience shame and suffering.  They cannot bear to see us this way.  They want to help, not become our enemy.

How far are they willing to go for us?  Sacrificial love.  Their hands and side bear the marks (literally for Jesus; figuratively for man, depending on interpretation).  Their pardons are limitless.  Their love changes things.

This song is structured like a traditional modern day so, with a few Verses of sorts and a sort of pre-Chorus/Chorus that appears only twice.  It’s not the least overbearing.

Score: 5/10

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

I subtracted two points to assume God is speaking.  With that in mind, all of it agrees with the Bible.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

This song does not contain a Verse/Chorus/Bridge structure.  Therefore, I added Stanzas to each paragraph.

[Stanza 1]

I want you as you are, not as you ought to be

Christ died for us when we were sinners, not saints (Romans 5:6-8).  Therefore, it makes sense that He would say this.

Won’t you lay down your guard and come to me

God calls us to come with humility, requiring lowered defenses (Micah 6:8, Romans 12:3, Romans 12:16, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Ephesians 4:2, Philippians 2:3-8, Colossians 3:12, James 4:6-10, James 4:14-16, and 1 Peter 5:5-10).

The shame that grips you now is crippling

God speaks to those who are slaves to sin (John 8:34, Romans 6:6, Romans 6:20-22, and 1 Corinthians 6:12).

It breaks my heart to see you suffering

It is God’s desire for all to come to Him for rest from weariness (Matthew 11:28-30).

[Stanza 2]

Cause I am for you
I’m not against you

This is under the same vein as Romans 8:31.

[Stanza 3]

If you wanna know
How far my love can go
Just how deep, just how wide
If you wanna see
How much you mean to me
Look at my hands, look at my side

That is, examine at the scars that Jesus bore (John 20:25-27) when He paid the penalty for our lawbreaking (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).

If you could count the times I’d say you are forgiven
It’s more than the drops in the ocean

Jesus teaches us to offer limitless forgiveness (Matthew 18:22).  It seems reasonable to think that Jesus would practice what He preaches.  To do otherwise is hypocrisy, which Jesus also teaches to avoid (Matthew 7:1-5 and Matthew 23:13-36).

[Stanza 4]

Don’t think you need to settle for a substitute
When I’m the only love that changes you

God is love (1 John 4:8) and it is His kindness that leads to repentance (Romans 2:4).  Therefore, His love changes us.  There is no other like Him (Exodus 8:10, Exodus 9:14, Deuteronomy 3:24, Deuteronomy 33:26, Jeremiah 10:6, 1 Samuel 2:2, 2 Samuel 7:22, 1 Kings 8:23, 1 Chronicles 17:20, Psalm 86:8, Psalm 89:6, Psalm 113:5-6, Jeremiah 10:7, Isaiah 40:18, and Isaiah 46:9).

[Stanza 5]

And I am for you
I’m not against you
I am for you
I’m not against you

Repeats Stanza 2 twice.

[Stanza 6]

If you wanna know
How far my love can go
Just how deep, just how wide
If you wanna see
How much you mean to me
Look at my hands, look at my side
If you could count the times I’d say you are forgiven
It’s more than the drops in the ocean

Repeats Stanza 3.

[Stanza 7]

Open your heart
It’s time that we start again

See commentary on Stanza 1, line 2.

Open your heart
It’s time that we start again

Repeats lines 1 and 2.

[Stanza 8]

If you wanna know
How far my love can go
Just how deep, just how wide
If you wanna see
How much you mean to me
Look at my hands, look at my side
If you could count the times I’d say you are forgiven
It’s more than the drops in the ocean
The drops in the ocean

Repeats Stanza 3.

[Stanza 9]

I am for you
I’m not against you
I am for you
I’m not against you

Repeats Stanza 2 twice.

Score: 8/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Most likely, a loving boyfriend whose girlfriend is hurting.  It’s positive and uplifting, but outside a church function, Christian radio, or testimonial context, it’s difficult to expect unbelievers to think this is about God.

Score: 2/10

4. What does this song glorify?

If God is speaking, He is a loving God who sacrifices for us.  If not, then it would be perhaps a boyfriend who does the same.  I’ll go halfway.

Score: 5/10

Closing Comments

Hawk Nelson’s Drops in the Ocean is unclear.  If we interpret this as God, it is Scriptural, speaking of God’s great love for us in sacrifice, wishing that we would repent and enter into a personal relationship with Him, bringing Him glory.  If not, it’s likely a boyfriend who wants to rekindle their relationship with a wayward girlfriend.  I’m not sure which is correct; However, I suspect that Christians will interpret it as God and unbelievers a boyfriend.

Perhaps God will use it for His glory; However, I cannot recommend this for corporate worship.

Final Score: 5.5/10

Artist Info

Track: Drops in the Ocean (listen to the song)

Artist: Hawk Nelson

Album: Diamonds

Genre: Alternative Rock

Release Year: 2015

Duration: 3:22

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