Josh Gauton – O, Peace

Josh Gauton is a British newcomer.  He currently serves as the creative director of Worship Central.

He released one EP and two albums, including:

• As The Waters Rise (EP, 2006)
• Mercy Road (2017)
• O, Peace (2019)

Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Josh-gauton-o-peace-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?

Gauton asks a series of questions to himself, contemplating if peace, hope, justice, and trust in Christ are aloof or obtainable.  He asks if he wants these things, perhaps thinking about what it will cost him.  The answer is Jesus!

The only criticism I offer is in Bridge.  While it’s true that the penalty for sin was accomplished on the cross; the justice we deserved placed on Christ, this is not true for those who do not accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Score: 9/10

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

Almost all of it agrees with the Bible, except Bridge’s fourth line, that Jesus’ shed blood brings justice.  This is only partially true.

[Chorus]

Lines 1 and 2: Gauton’s question comes from a desperate place.  They seek tranquility and don’t know where to look.  This question is addressed at the end of the song.

[Verse 1]

Lines 1-3: More questions that the song’s end will answer, except for the third line.  That is the Spirit’s job, to intercede when Gauton’s groanings are too deep for words (Romans 8:26).

[Verse 2]

Lines 1-3: This is a question of trust.  Can Gauton have faith in Jesus?

[Chorus 2]

Lines 1 and 2: Similar to Chorus 1, Gauton is looking for peace, contemplating if it exists as it seems distant.

[Verse 3]

Lines 1-3: It seems that the wicked prosper and the righteous are devoured (Psalms 73:12-14, Jeremiah 12:1, and Habakkuk 1:13).  Gauton contemplates if there’s a different life that exists.

[Verse 4]

Lines 1-3: Gauton recognizes that the world is chaotic and in desperate need of liberation.  It requires hope.  Where can it be found?

[Chorus 3]

Lines 1 and 2: Similar to Chorus 1 and 2, Gauton asks for peace and not fake people who say “peace, peace” when there is no peace (Jeremiah 6:14).  He also questions desire: is this what we really want?  Are we prepared to pay the cost to find peace (Luke 14:26-33)?

[Bridge]

Lines 1 and 2: This is similar to earlier lines that speak of Gauton’s helplessness amid tumult.

Lines 3 and 4: Yes and no.

Yes in the sense that the justice that we deserve was placed on Christ.  His blood cleanses us of unrighteousness, washing us clean of our guilt and shame (Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:22, 1 Peter 1:2, and 1 Peter 1:18-19).

No in the sense that the shed blood of Jesus does not bring justice to those who cause violence, unrest, and conflict.

[Chorus 4]

Lines 1 and 2: Once again, Gauton seeks order.

[Chorus 5]

Lines 1 and 2: Prince of Peace is a prophecied title that Jesus would possess (Isaiah 9:6).  Gauton found his answer to his questions!  Jesus is:

• The source of internal peace (John 14:27, John 16:29-33, Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:14-15, and Colossians 3:15).
• Hope for our battered hearts (Romans 5:1-8, Romans 8:24-39, Romans 15:13, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58, and 1 Peter 1:3-6).
• Will one day come again and bring order to those who wrought chaos and did not trust in Him (Revelation 17:14, Revelation 18:10, Revelation 18:20, Revelation 19:2-3, Revelation 19:11, and Revelation 20:11-15).
• Physician (Matthew 9:12, Mark 2:17, and Luke 5:31).
• Rest (Psalm 95:6-11, Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 3:1-16, and Hebrews 4:1-16).

Score: 9/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Unbelievers will have similar questions, though their answer is found in things other than Jesus.  The cross cements this as a Christian song, that Christians need Christ for their peace.

I doubt that they will notice the minor error regarding the cross and justice, but it’s possible.

Score: 9/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It inherently glorifies Jesus as the One who answers Gauton’s deepest desires, only slightly dinged with the cross that brings justice.

Score: 9/10

Closing Comments

Josh Gauton – O, Peace is a good song.  It brings to mind questions that many (if not all) asked about the condition of our world, where peace seems distant.  Jesus is the answer, who brings internal peace and rest, bringing God glory.  Unbelievers will find interpretation easy, especially since they have similar questions.  This song errors slightly when stating that the cross brings justice.  This is only half right.

This song is inspirational, but not appropriate for corporate worship.

Final Score: 9/10

Artist Info

Track: O, Peace (listen to the song)

Artist: Josh Gauton

Album: O, Peace

Genre: Alternative Rock

Release Year: 2019

Duration: 4:20

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

Updates:

03/25/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.  Also, I had an incomplete thought in section 1.  I finished it.