Planetshakers – Leave Me Astounded (Studio)

Planetshakers is a church that was formed in 1997, and headquartered in Melbourne, Australia.  Much in the same organizational methodology as Hillsong, Bethel, and Elevation Worship, they created their own brand of worship music.  Planetshakers was formed in 2000.  Their youth outreach, Planetboom, was created in 2018.

Planetshakers released a massive 42 albums and 13 EP’s and received many nominations for their work.

Also, check out my reviews of Nothing is Impossible, No Other Name, God Is On The Throne, We Speak Life, and You Call Me Beautiful.

Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Planetshakers-leave-me-astounded-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.  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?

Amid yielding to God’s ways, Planetshakers prays for:

• Deeper and satisfying experience of the Holy Spirit
• God’s closeness
• His glory

My only complaint is where Planetshakers asks God to “invade”.  Although seemingly innocent, section 2 contains an explanation that shows why this word was poorly chosen.

Score: 8/10

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

The lyrics are almost completely Biblical, save for “invade”.

Side Note: Bridge only repeats once before Chorus and then twice at the end.  The linked lyrics, above, is incorrect on that point.

[Verse 1]

Lines 1 and 2: Planetshakers 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)

Line 3: Planetshakers followed Psalm 34:8.

Line 4: As summarized in Psalm 63:5-7.

Line 5: Repeats line 4.

[Chorus]

Lines 1 and 2: That is, Planetshakers prayers for a Holy Spirit experience much like in Acts 2:1-4.

Lines 3 and 4: See Verse 1, line 4.

[Verse 2]

Lines 1 and 2: Planetshakers requests to sense God is near (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).

Line 3: Repeats Verse 1, line 3.

Line 4: This is the same request Moses made in Exodus 33:18.

Lines 5 and 6: Repeats line 4.

[Bridge]

Line 1: Planetshakers desire to be astounded and amazed (Matthew 8:27).

Line 2a: Planetshakers desires to see God’s glory. (Psalm 19:1-4).

Lines 2b-4: Planetshakers is asking for the presence of God to invade. According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary the term “invade” means to conquest, plunder, or infringe. All of which are of negative connotation. God wants to be our Lord and King but does not achieve this through conquest or infringement. According to Exodus 33:14 God’s presence gives us rest and Revelation 3:20 The Lord stands and knocks and patiently waits for us to open the door. He doesn’t force open the door. Romans 2:4 says the God’s kindness is intended to lead us to repentance, not Him forcing us into it.

Side note: My parents, who assisted me with this review during my vacation at their retirement village in Alabama, boldy state that they reject this negative seed of invasion. The world often calls it Karma. (Phillipians 4:8 and Galatians 6:9).

Lines 5-8: Repeats lines 1-4.

Score: 8/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

They will conclude that Christians are praying to God and His Spirit for satisfaction, closeness, and to see His glory.  It’s written in plain English.

“Invade” is not the word that unbelievers wanted to hear, as though God is going to impose His will on them without their consent.  I mean yes, He wants us to do His will, but He also wants us to freely choose.

Score: 6/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God in that Planetshakers come to Him in prayer.  It doesn’t glorify Him when it says He will “invade”.

Score: 8/10

Closing Comments

Planetshakers’ Leave Me Astounded (Studio) is prayerful but not inerrent.  It’s a prayer song that brings Him glory and unbelievers can understand without much effort.  It also touches on man’s surrender to God.  However, “invade” is not how God operates.  He wants to be master through our surrender, not by His force.

If Bridge is left out entirely, then I could recommend this song for corporate worship.  However, not as it currently is.

Final Score: 7.5/10

Artist Info

Track: Leave Me Astounded (Studio) (listen to the song)

Artist: Planetshakers

Album: Outback Worship Sessions

Genre: Rock

Release Year: 5:31

Duration: 2015

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