Hillsong Young & Free – Never Fail

Hillsong Church is a megachurch founded in 1983 in Baulkham Hills, New South Wales, Australia.  It was formerly led by Hillsong Founder Brian Houston.  Hillsong possesses a massive discography, spanning across four music ministries.  These include Hillsong UNITED, Hillsong Worship, Hillsong Young & Free, and Hillsong Kids.

Hillsong has won several awards within their Hillsong UNITED and Hillsong Worship artist groups.  As of this writing, there are no awards for Hillsong Young & Free or Hillsong Kids.

Also, check out my entire list of Hillsong reviews and Christmas songs, Seasons and Prince of Heaven.

Side Note: For the remainder of this review, I’ll refer to Hillsong Young & Free as Hillsong.

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?

This song is for those who suffer and broke God’s laws, commandments, or both, reminding us that, despite our bleak and desperate situation, we can trust in God’s promises, that He will respond in His timing.  Every word of prophecy will come to pass, with Hillsong eventually finding victory over their chains.  God is their fortress; Christ their answered prayer.  He is present with us.  He is the only hope for mankind.  Hillsong desires to fully obey Him, following in His footsteps.

Though the phrase “You’ve never failed me yet” may possibly imply the possibility of failure, Hillsong also states “and you never will” later in the song, nullifying my critique.

Score: 10/10

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

The entire song aligns with God’s inspired Word.

[Verse 1]

This is a song for the valleys, for the harder days
Something to remind me when I’ve lost my way

This song is intended for those who are currently experiencing trials and tribulations, and those who recently veered from the narrow way, sinning against God.

And even though it’s dark right now, I know morning comes

Hillsong believes that God’s light will eventually illuminate their darkness (Psalm 107:10-16, Luke 1:79, John 1:1-13, John 12:46, Ephesians 5:8, Colossians 1:13, and 1 Peter 2:9).

‘Cause You’re the God of the promise, and what You say is done

Everything God says will come to pass based on His timing, not ours (2 Peter 3:9).

[Pre-Chorus]

And in the battle
When I’m surrounded
Still my soul will hold to all You’ve said

In their warfare or God’s discipline, whether physical or spiritual, Hillsong will persevere under trial (Romans 5:3-5, Hebrews 12:4-11, and James 1:2-4).

[Chorus]

You’re my refuge and strength

God is Hillsong’s defense (Genesis 15:1, Deuteronomy 33:29, 2 Samuel 22:3, Psalm 3:3, Psalm 5:11, Psalm 12:5, Psalm 18:1-3, Psalm 20:1, Psalm 27:1-5, Psalm 28:7, Proverbs 30:5, Psalm 33:20, Psalm 34:19, Psalm 46:1-3, Psalm 57:1, Psalms 59:1, Psalm 71:1-6, Psalm 84:11, Psalm 89:18, Psalm 91:1-16, Psalm 115:9, Psalm 121:1-8, Psalm 140:4, Proverbs 14:26, Proverbs 18:10, Isaiah 41:10, 1 Corinthians 10:13, and 2 Thessalonians 3:3).

My “yes” and “amen”

That is, in reference to God’s promises (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Put my trust in Your name

Hillsong is firm in their faith (1 Corinthians 16:13, 2 Corinthians 1:24, Ephesians 6:11, Philippians 1:27, Philippians 4:1, Colossians 1:23, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Hebrews 3:6, Hebrews 3:14, Hebrews 4:14, Hebrews 6:11, Hebrews 10:23, and 1 Peter 5:9) in Jesus, whose name is the only way to the Father (John 14:6 and Acts 4:12).

‘Cause You’ve never failed me yet

Though the word “yet” potentially expresses the possibility that God will fail, Interlude addresses this possibility.

You’re the breaker of chains

God breaks chains, whether the chains are infirmity (Matthew 9:12, Mark 2:17, and Luke 5:31), temptation to sin (1 Corinthians 10:13), or the consequences of violating God’s laws (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24).

Defeated the grave

References Jesus’ resurrection (Matthew 28:1-20, Mark 16:1-20, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29, Acts 1:3, Acts 3:15, Acts 4:33, and 1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

All my hope in Your name

See line 3.

‘Cause You’ve never failed me yet (Yeah)

Essentially repeats line 4.

[Verse 2]

This is a prayer for the desert, when the road seems long
Waiting for the promise that is yet to come
And even in the wilderness You will lead me home

Hillsong prays as they patiently wait for God to respond.  See commentary on Verse 1, line 4.

Jesus, You are with me, You’re my only hope

Christ is with Hillsong (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), who alone can help them (see commentary on Chorus, line 3).

[Interlude]

And You never will, no

As stated in my commentary on Chorus, line 4, this tells us that the potentiality of God’s failure will never come to fruition (Joshua 21:45).

Yeah

Yes.

No, You never failed me yet

Essentially repeats Chorus, line 4.

Yeah, You’ll never fail me yet

Though it mixes metaphors, it’s technically true.  Up to and including the present moment, God will never fail!

[Bridge]

If You’re not in it, I don’t want it

That is, Hillsong wants to avoid doing things apart from God’s will (Psalm 119:11).

If You said it, I believe it

Hillsong believes everything God says (see Verse 1, line 4).

Where You call me, I will follow

Hillsong will obey God (Matthew 25:34-40, John 14:15, John 14:21-24, John 15:10-14, 1 Peter 1:14-15, 1 John 2:3-5, 1 John 4:19-20, 1 John 5:2-3, and 2 John 1:6).

‘Cause You’ve never failed me yet

Repeats Chorus, line 4.

If You’re not in it, I don’t want it
If You said it, I believe it
Where You call me, I will follow
‘Cause You’ve never failed me yet
If You’re not in it, I don’t want it
If You said it, I believe it (Yeah)
Where You call me, I will follow
‘Cause You’ve never failed me yet
If You’re not in it, I don’t want it
And if You said it, I believe it
So where You call me, I will follow
‘Cause You’ve never failed me yet
You’ve never failed me yet
You’ve never failed me yet

Repeats lines 1-4.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Unbelievers will conclude that it’s Christian, given its mention of God, prayer, and Jesus.  Hillsong expresses their hope in Jesus, that they trust He will be with them, help them through their struggles, and has never failed them.  Some unbelievers will find trust difficult from an experiential perspective, as sometimes God did not answer their prayers as they expected.  However, from an interpretive perspective, this is Hillsong’s testimony.  God hasn’t failed them.  An unbeliever’s experience shouldn’t diminish their ability to see from Hillsong’s perspective.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Jesus as the object of Hillsong’s trust, the fortress to which they run, and the promise-keeper to which they patiently wait.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Hillsong Young & Free’s Never Fail doesn’t fail.  Hillsong offers their perspective and experience, that God is with them, He is the only hope for them, and He will never fail to keep His promises, glorifying God.  Unbelievers should find it easy to interpret similarly.

This song is appropriate for corporate worship.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Never Fail (listen to the song)

Artist: Hillsong Young & Free

Album: Out Here On A Friday Where It Began

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2021

Duration: 5:19

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

*Copyright © 2021 Hillsong MP Songs (BMI) (adm. in the US and Canada at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.