Hope Darst – If The Lord Builds The House

Hope Darst is an American Christian artist and songwriter.  She is a relatively new artist, releasing her debut album Peace Be Still in 2020 and If The Lord Builds The House in 2023.

She is heavily involved in writing music for The Belonging Co and is sometimes featured in their music.

Also, check out my review of Peace Be Still.

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?

This song is primarily a cover of Jesus’ Parable of Two Foundations, where He compares a house that is built on solid rock and another that is built on sand.  The former is faith in Him.  The latter is faith in anything that is not Him.  In this case, Darst’s faith was in herself.  Realizing her “house” came crumbling down, she admits fault and runs to Jesus for healing and restoration.  She also believes that He is an anchor that will not be moved.

Score: 10/10

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

The whole song correctly borrows from Scripture.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

I’ve built up my own gate, but the walls couldn’t stand
I’ve trusted my own strength but it was sinking sand

Borrows heavily from Matthew 7:24-27. Particularly, the last two verses.  The former verses are covered later in Chorus and Verse 2.

So I put my ruins into Your hands
And watch You restore them like only You can

The opening lines are Darst’s repentance, which is required before God can restore her (Psalm 51:12, Acts 3:19-21, Galatians 6:1, James 5:16, and 1 Peter 5:10).

[Chorus]

‘Cause if the Lord builds the house, nobody can tear it down
If the Lord builds the house, nobody can tear it down
When it’s built on His name, there’s nothing gonna shake this ground
If the Lord builds the house, nobody can tear it down, woo

See commentary on Verse 1, lines 1 and 2.  Also, lines 2 and 4 essentially repeats line 1.

[Verse 2]

The bricks may be weathered (Weathered)
Through storm and through fire (Fire)
But what God holds together (‘Gether)
It stands firm еvery time (Every timе, oh)
‘Cause my life is anchored
On this solid truth (This solid truth)
That whatever God’s building (Building)
No, it can’t be moved (It can’t be moved)

See commentary on Verse 1, lines 1 and 2.

[Bridge]

As for me and my house, we’re gonna serve You, Lord

Essentially quotes from Joshua 24:15.

So here’s the keys, come on in, everything we have is Yours

Darst surrenders to God (Psalm 43:5, Isaiah 64:8, Matthew 10:38, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34-38, Mark 10:28, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27, John 15:1-11, Romans 6:13, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:7-10, and 1 Peter 5:6).  Also borrows from Revelation 3:20.

As for me and my house, we’re gonna serve You, Lord
So here’s the keys, come on in, everything we have is Yours, oh
Here’s the keys, won’t You come on in, everything we have is Yours

Repeats/essentially repeats lines 1 and 2.

[Outro]

Said, if the Lord builds the house, nobody can tear it down

Essentially repeats Chorus, line 1.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Unbelievers are likely familiar with the Parable of Two foundations, making it easy for them to interpret this song as Christian.  Despite Darst’s language that borrows heavily from Scripture, it should be easy for those who are not yet Christians to think that Darst has tried life on her own, realized her mistake, and has put her faith in Jesus.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Jesus as Darst’s solid foundation and healer.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Hope Darst’s If The Lord Builds The House is Christ-centered.  It reminds us that Jesus is the foundation of our faith and that we should avoid slipping back into self-living, where our lives will come crashing down on itself.  These points bring Him glory.  Despite its heavy use of Christianese language, unbelievers should be able to interpret similarly.

This song is suitable for corporate worship.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: If The Lord Builds The House (listen to the song)

Artist: Hope Darst

Album: If The Lord Builds The House

Genre:  Rock

Release Year: 2023

Duration: 3:56

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*Copyright © 2022 TBCO Publishing (BMI) Andrew Holt Music Publishing (BMI) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com), Fair Trade Global Songs (BMI) / Hope For The Best Songs (BMI) / Hulse House Music (BMI) / Cashagamble Jet Music (BMI) / Be Essential Songs (BMI) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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