KDMusic – The Grace

KDMusic is a collaboration between singer/songwriter Dave Whitcroft & musician friends from Christian events in N.Ireland. Between them they’ve served in the UK, Europe, North America, Southern Africa & SE Asia (but not all together!)

Dave is a songwriter & guitarist from the sunny side of the Mourne Mountains, Co.Down. Growing up, he absorbed folk sessions in the west of Ireland, played in bands & in church. His musical journey is inseparable from the Christian faith that’s captivated him since his teens.

“Like many of you, I understand how music & worship are a lifeline in hard times.  My parents were both brain injury patients & I was responsible for their care for about 30yrs. My first job was as an ‘Interface’ youth worker in North Belfast during ‘The Troubles’.  So, I love writing songs about the God who shares both our joys & our tears”.

Since then, he has looked after children’s, youth, & finally worship ministries in his local church.  He is happily married, with 3 children, and really values celebration & fun in music alongside the more serious material he writes. The songs highlighted on this website have been written in and for an ordinary local church.

“Whatever we’re going through,  there’s a song for that moment ~ and nothing beats singing it as one, big, shared voice”.

Source: https://kdmusic.co.uk/about-reviews

They released one album in 2019: Sunshine for Rainy Days.  This song, The Grace, was co-written by Ian Hannah & Dave Whitcroft.

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?

It describes the trinity and several attributes of the Father, Son, and Spirit, including:

• Unfailing love
• Forbearing
• Pardons
• Source of aspiration
• Adoptive parent
• Happy when we seek Him
• Loving
• Gracious
• Trades our wickedness for His righteousness
• Fills us with His Spirit
• Renews our minds
• Directs

In response, we worship Him, called to obedience and holy living.

Score: 10/10

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

This song oozes with Scriptural depth and agreement.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

We have a Father whose love endures

As repeated 26 times in Psalm 136:1-26.

Patient, forgiving, our hope secure
You have adopted us as your own
Delight to see us approach your throne

Describes five attributes of God:

• Patient (Exodus 33:19, Exodus 34:6, Numbers 14:18, Nehemiah 9:16-17, Nehemiah 9:30-31, Psalm 86:15, Psalm 103:8, Psalm 116:5, Psalm 145:8-9, Joel 2:13, Jonah 4:2, Romans 9:15, and James 5:11).
• Forgiving (Matthew 26:28, Act 2:38, Act 5:31, Act 10:43, Romans 4:7, Romans 5:6-8, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14, Colossians 2:13-14, James 5:15, James 5:19-20, 1 John 2:1-2, and 1 John 2:12).
• The source of our hope (Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 33:20, Psalm 39:7, Psalm 62:5, Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 11:28-30, Romans 5:1-8, Romans 8:24-39, Romans 15:13, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58, and 1 Peter 1:3-6).
• Adoptive Father (John 1:12-13, John 14:18, Romans 8:14-17, Romans 8:23, Romans 9:1-8, Galatians 3:26, Galatians 4:5-7, Ephesians 1:3-14, Ephesians 2:11-22, Hebrews 9:15, and 1 John 3:1-3).
• Desires that we boldly approach His throne (Psalm 100:4, Hebrews 4:16 and Hebrews 10:19).

[Chorus]

Love from the Father, and grace from the Son
Joined by the Spirit, eternal “Three in One”

Reorders 2 Corinthians 13:14 into the typical Father, Son, Spirit format.  This points us to the trinity.

For you’ve made me your child and that cannot be undone
That’s the power, that’s the grace of the Gospel

The Gospel’s strength is that we can enter into a personal relationship with God as His adoptive children (see Verse 1, line 4).  He will lose none (John 6:39 and John 18:9).

[Verse 2]

We have a Saviour whose grace so free,
Poured out his riches for bankruptcy
Sprung from our prisons of sin and shame,

Christ freely offers Himself in exchange for our lawbreaking.  Also known as the “great exchange” (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24).

We lift our praise to your glorious name

In response to His lovingkindness, we worship God.

[Verse 3]

Filled by his Spirit who breathes new life

The Holy Spirit lives in us (Acts 6:5, Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:16-19, Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 5:18, and 2 Timothy 1:14).

Called to be holy, alive in Christ

God commands us to be set apart (Leviticus 11:44-45, Leviticus 19:2, Leviticus 20:7, Romans 6:1-14, Ephesians 4:1, Colossians 1:10-14, 1 Peter 1:13-16, and 1 Peter 2:16), forsaking our former lifestyle to pursue Jesus (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24).

Your truth transforms us, renews our minds

By clinging onto Christ, our minds are transformed and renewed, conforming to His image (Romans 12:2 and Ephesians 4:23).

Your constant presence, our guard, our guide

God’s Presence defends us (Ruth 2:12, 2 Samuel 22:3-4, Psalm 3:3, Psalm 5:11, Psalm 18:30, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 32:7, Psalm 34:22, Psalm 41:2, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 57:1, Psalm 59:1, Psalm 61:3, Psalm 91:1-16, Psalm 118:8, Psalm 121:7-8, Psalm 138:7, Proverbs 18:10, Proverbs 30:5, Nahum 1:7, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, and 1 John 5:18) and guides us (Psalm 32:8, Psalm 37:23-24, Psalm 73:23-24, Psalm 119:105, Isaiah 30:21, Isaiah 48:17, Isaiah 58:11, Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 16:9, Proverbs 20:24, Psalm 25:4-9, Psalm 25:9-10, Luke 1:78-79, John 14:26, John 16:13, and Romans 8:14).

[Outro]

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
And the fellowship of the Spirit be with you
Evermore

Quotes from 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

They will be quick to see the trinity in this song’s opening lines, pointing them towards a Christian worldview.  KDMusic uses many Christian terms that are also easy for unbelievers to comprehend, including the word “sin” which is explained as “bankruptcy” and “shame”.  That’s not to say that those outside Christianity will experientially understand knowing Christ, far from it.  Yet, from an intellectual standpoint, they should easily understand this song without deeper study.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God through His trinitarian description and many attributes.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

KDMusic’s The Grace is an awesome song.  It borrows from Paul’s benediction at the end of 2 Corinthians 13 as a base and builds upon it with other attributes of God, including His forgiveness, graciousness, and sacrifice.  This brings glory to God.  Unbelievers should have little to no problem interpreting this song.

I highly recommend it for corporate worship.  If you’re interested in sheet music for this song, download it for free.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: The Grace (listen to the song)

Artist: KDMusic

Album: N/A

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2021 (single)

Duration: 4:46

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

*Copyright © 2021 KDMusic. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

01/18/2022 – Added sheet music to the song’s closing comments.  Also, swapped out the image for KDMusic cover art for The Grace.