Pat Barrett – The Way (New Horizon)

Par Barrett has been writing and singing music since he was 15 years old.  He is best known as a songwriter than an artist.  He wrote the popular songs Build My Life and Good Good Father for his previously tenured band Housefires and recently released his own self-titled EP in 2018, which includes the song The Way (New Horizon).

He is currently a worship leader at Grace Midtown in Atlanta, GA.

Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Pat-barrett-the-way-new-horizon-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?

Regardless of what occurs in life, Pat Barrett chooses to believe God is:

• our defender/refuge
• our inheritance
• our provider, including new daily mercies
• the way, truth, and life
• the object of our affection
• the eraser of fear and doubt

Though the name of God is not explicitly mentioned, the ample amount of attributes and direct Biblical references (see section 2) makes it extremely difficult for alternative interpretation to gain a foothold.

The song is a mix of testimony and creed, expressing to other people the things that Barrett believes are true.

Score: 10/10

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

I found all the lyrics to agree with God’s inspired Word.

[Verse 1]

Lines 1-4: Regardless of circumstances, Barrett believes.  Hebrews 11:1-40 provides a good summary of this concept. What does he believe?  He tells us in subsequent lines.

Line 5: That is, God is his defense (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).

Line 6: God as our portion is an Old Testament concept, listed in Numbers 18:20, Deuteronomy 10:9, Deuteronomy 18:2, Joshua 13:33, Psalm 16:5, Psalm 73:26, Psalm 119:57, Psalm 142:5, Lamentations 3:24, and Ezekiel 44:28.  The New Testament equivalent is the doctrine known as adoption (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).

Line 7: See line 5.

[Chorus]

Lines 1 and 2: That is, he believes the statements of Jesus in John 14:6.

Lines 3 and 4: Repeats lines 1 and 2.

[Verse 2]

Lines 1-3: Though not specific in its description, the Bible is littered with examples of God’s blessings and promises.  2 Corinthians 9:8 and Luke 11:11-13 are good summary passages for these concepts.

Lines 4 and 5: As demonstrated through praise and worship (Psalm 63:4 and Psalm 150:6).

Line 6: References Genesis 2:15-16, Genesis 9:3, Genesis 22:8, Exodus 16:1-36, Psalm 18:2, Psalm 34:10, Psalm 81:10, Psalm 84:11, Psalm 107:9, Proverbs 10:3, Malachi 3:10, Matthew 6:25-30, Matthew 7:7-8, Matthew 21:22, John 14:13-14, John 14:26, John 15:1-10, John 15:16, Romans 8:32, Ephesians 3:20, Philippians 4:19, 2 Corinthians 9:8, and 2 Corinthians 12:9.

Line 7: See Verse 1, line 5.

Line 8: As demonstrated through obedience (John 14:15, John 14:21-24, John 15:10-14, and 1 John 2:3-5).

[Bridge]

Line 1: That is, a new trajectory in life.  Probably from old to new self (Ezekiel 11:19, Romans 6:1-7, Romans 8:12-13, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 4:16, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 5:16-18, Ephesians 4:22-24, Ephesians 2:14-16, Colossians 3:10, and 1 Peter 2:24).

Lines 2 and 3: References Lamentations 3:22-23.

NOTE: Keep in mind that just because God meets us where we are, that doesn’t mean we should stay as we are!

Line 4: the Apostle Thomas provides a great example of overcoming doubt by encountering Jesus in John 20:24-29.  The Scriptures also calls us to avoid fear (Genesis 15:1, Joshua 1:9, Deuteronomy 31:6, 1 Chronicles 28:20, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 34:4, Psalm 56:3-4, Psalm 94:19, Psalm 115:11, Psalm 118:6, Isaiah 35:4, Isaiah 41:10-13, Isaiah 43:1, Isaiah 54:4, John 14:25-27, Romans 8:15, Romans 8:38-39, 2 Timothy 1:7, Hebrews 13:5-6, 1 Peter 3:13-14, 1 Peter 5:6-7, and 1 John 4:18).

Lines 5-8: Repeats lines 1-4.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Those with an elementary understanding of Christianity will recognize the Chorus, something Christians often state in relation to Jesus.  This makes God-worship the most likely interpretation for unbelievers, regardless of Barrett’s linguistic choice.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Pat Barrett’s The Way (New Horizon) is a good song.  It covers the basics of some of Barrett’s beliefs, communicating occasional figurative statements that both believers and non-Christians may grasp.  The lyrics agree with Scripture and glorify God.

Though I myself am not that excited by this one, worship leaders may make a conscious decision about including it in their sets.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: The Way (New Horizon) (listen to the song)

Artist: Pat Barrett

Album: Pat Barrett

Genre: Rock

Release Year: 2018

Duration: 4:18

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.  I increased section 1’s score, raising the overall rating from 9.5/10 to 10/10.