Rend Collective – Counting Every Blessing

Irish folk band Rend Collective Experiment (now known as Rend Collective) became active in 2002.  They released 11 albums, including:

• Family Hymnal (2010)
• Homemade Worship by Handmade People (2012)
• Campfire (2013)
• The Art of Celebration (2014)
• Campfire Christmas, Vol. 1 (2014)
• As Family We Go (2015)
• Campfire II: Simplicity (2016)
• Good News (2018)
• Sparkle. Pop. Rampage. (2019)
• Choose to Worship (2020)
• A Jolly Irish Christmas (Vol. 2) (2020)

Also, check out my reviews of No Outsiders, True North, Boldly I Approach (The Art Of Celebration), My Lighthouse, Build Your Kingdom Here, and Rescuer (Good News).

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?

Rend Collective experienced hardship.  Though they were once unsaved, God opened their eyes to see with their spiritual eyes, inheriting eternal life.  They credit God as the One who blesses them beyond measure, showing gratitude with their everlasting praise.  They trust God, expecting Him to respond on His timing, not theirs.  God is with them amid suffering, pleading with others to follow suit.

Side Note: To those who are annoyed by massive repetition, the song’s second half repeats Chorus four times, followed by four lines of Post-Chorus, and an Outro somewhat more repetitious than the format used in Psalm 136:1-26.

Score: 10/10

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

The entire song is brimming with Scripture.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

I was blind, now I’m seeing in colour

Rend Collective’s spiritual blindness has been cured (2 Kings 6:17, Matthew 13:16-17, Luke 24:31, John 3:3, John 9:39, Acts 26:12-18, 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, 2 Corinthians 4:6, and Ephesians 1:18), likely borrowing from John newton’s Amazing Grace.

Rend Collective adds “in color”, which has Scriptural significance when one considers how we see color.  Our brain and eyes work together to convert light, reflected from the object that we observe, into color.  In the spiritual sense, we can sense God’s light (Psalm 27:1, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:130, Matthew 4:16, John 1:1-8, John 8:12, Ephesians 5:14, James 1:17, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 John 1:5-7, and Revelation 21:23) reflected from His creation into our spiritual mind (Genesis 1:26 and Psalm 19:1).

I was dead, now I’m living forever

Rend Collective was spiritually dead, but now they are made alive (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24).

I had failed, but You were my Redeemer

Rend Collective broke God’s laws (Psalm 14:1-3, Psalm 53:1-3, Job 15:14, Ecclesiastes 7:20, Jeremiah 17:9, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, and 1 John 1:8-10), but have been redeemed by Christ (John 3:16, Romans 5:6-8, 1 Corinthians 6:20, Hebrews 5:9, Hebrews 9:28, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:9, and 1 John 2:2).

I’ve been blessed beyond all measure

Rend Collective is grateful for God’s blessing (1 Chronicles 16:34, 2 Chronicles 5:13, Psalm 7:17, Psalm 9:1-20, Psalm 107:8-9, Psalm 95:2-3, Psalm 106:1, Jeremiah 30:19, Jeremiah 33:11, 1 Corinthians 1:4-5, 2 Corinthians 4:15, 2 Corinthians 9:11-12, Colossians 3:16-17, and 1 Timothy 4:4-5).

[Verse 2]

I was lost, now I’m found by the Father

Rend Collective borrows again from Amazing Grace.  It refers to the three parables Jesus told in response to the Pharisees and Scribes grumbling saying “Jesus receives sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:1-2).  These are:

1. The parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7),
2. The parable of the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10); and
3. The parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32).

They also identify “You” as the Father.  While the Father is explicitly credited as Rend Collective’s Savior, the Father indirectly saved them by sending Jesus (see John 3:16).

I’ve been changed from a ruin to treasure

Rend Collective is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

I’ve been given a hope and a future

This is the same hope and future that was originally given to Israel after their rescue from Babylon (Jeremiah 29:10-14).

I’ve been blessed beyond all measure

Repeats Verse 1, line 1.

[Chorus]

I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing

That is, Rend Collective shows gratitude for what God gave them (1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 7:17, Psalm 28:7, Psalm 35:18, Psalm 95:1-3, Psalm 100:4, Psalm 106:1, Psalm 107:1, Psalm 118:1, Jeremiah 33:11, Jonah 2:9, 2 Corinthians 4:15, 2 Corinthians 9:11-12, Philippians 4:6, Colossians 3:15-17, Colossians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, 1 Timothy 4:4-5, and Hebrews 12:28-29).

Letting go and trusting when I cannot see

Rend Collective gives up anxiety and worries, entrusting them to God (Matthew 11:28-30), not knowing God’s timetable (2 Peter 3:9).

I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing

Repeats line 1.

Surely every season You are good to me

God is good to Rend Collective (Exodus 33:19, Psalm 13:6, Psalm 23:6, Psalm 27:13, Psalm 31:19, Psalm 34:8, Psalm 84:11, Psalm 100:5, Psalm 107:1, Psalm 118:29, Psalm 119:68, Psalm 145:9, Matthew 7:11, Mark 10:18, Luke 11:13, Luke 18:19, Romans 2:4, Philippians 1:6, James 1:17, and 1 Peter 2:1-3) on His timing (2 Peter 3:9).

[Post-Chorus]

Oh-oh-ooh, oh-oh-ooh-oooh (You are good to me)

Combines part of Chorus, line 4, with a call-out to Casper the friendly ghost.

Oh-oh-ooh, oh-oh-ooh-oooh (You are good to me)

Repeats line 1.

[Verse 3]

You were there in the valley of shadows
You were there in the depth of my sorrows

God is with Rend Collective amid suffering (Deuteronomy 31:6-8, Joshua 1:5-9, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 139:7-10, Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 23:23-24, Matthew 6:25-34, and Romans 8:38-39).

You’re my strength, my hope for tomorrow

God is Rend Collective’s power (Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 22:19, Psalm 28:7-8, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 118:14, Isaiah 12:2, Isaiah 33:2, Isaiah 40:29-31, Habakkuk 3:19, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Ephesians 3:16, Ephesians 6:10, and Philippians 4:13) and yearning (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).

I’ve been blessed beyond all measure

Repeats Verse 1, line 1.

[Bridge]

Surely Your goodness pursues me

Quotes from part of Psalms 23:6.

Surely Your heart is still for me

As alluded to in the first part of Romans 8:31.  Also, see Verse 3, lines 1 and 2.

I will remember Your mercies all my days
Through every storm and gale

Despite Rend Collective’s misery, they will remember what God has done for them, demonstrating fruit that results from persevering trials (Romans 5:3-5, Hebrews 12:4-11, and James 1:2-4).

[Outro]

For Your goodness, I will ever praise You

Rend Collective responds to God’s goodness by worshipping Him for all eternity (Nehemiah 9:5, Psalm 30:12, Psalm 52:9, Psalm 86:12, Psalm 89:1, Psalm 115:18, Psalm 145:1-2, Psalm 145:21, and Revelation 5:9-13).

Ooh, oh-ooh-oooh You are good to me
Ooh, oh-ooh-oooh You are good to me
Sing it out now
Ooh, oh-ooh-oooh You are good to me
In my hurting
Ooh, oh-ooh-oooh You are good to me
I’ll sing it loud
Ooh, oh-ooh-oooh You are good to me
Even in the dark
Ooh, oh-ooh-oooh You are good to me
Lift your voices
Ooh, oh-ooh-oooh You are good to me
All the time
Ooh, oh-ooh-oooh You are good to me

Repeats Post-Chorus, line 1 several times.  Also, Rend Collective asks others to follow their lead, exampled in Bridge, lines 3 and 4.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Unbelievers will likely think it’s Christian because Rend collective references “blessing” and the “Father”, and its two lines that borrow from Amazing Grace.  Those outside Christianity will likely conclude that God made Rend Collective see (though not literally) and is present with Rend Collective (and other Christians).  Despite Rend Collective’s pain and suffering, somehow, God’s goodness is still with them.

Until God opens unbelievers’ eyes, we cannot expect them to comprehend this message from an experiential perspective.  While some might respond to this song with anger, blaming God for not helping them, this is an emotional response to these lyrics.  Those who wish to understand this song intellectually should find little to no issue doing so.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies the Father as the One who is good, is present with Christians, and responds to prayer at His discretion.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Rend Collective’s Counting Every Blessing is great. Rend Collective offers a testimony of sorts, crediting the Father as the One who opened their spiritual blinders, rescued them from eternal damnation, and is continually present in their lives. It also sets realistic expectations about God’s response to human suffering, that He will answer on His timing, not ours, glorifying God. While I suspect some unbelievers whose prayers weren’t answered to respond unfavorably towards God, those who have ears to hear should find little to no difficulty interpreting similarly.

I have mixed feelings about recommending this song for corporate worship.  It has a “This is what I’m doing and you should follow it” testimonial that seems more appropriate for a concert, youth retreat, or personal enrichment.  However, it also contains elements that proclaim to God His value and worth.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Counting Every Blessing (listen to the song)

Artist: Rend Collective

Album: Good News

Genre: Pop

Release Year: 2018

Duration: 5:03

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

*Copyright © 2017 Rend Family Music (PRS) Capitol CMG Paragon (BMI) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

04/12/2022 – Removed “Recent Supporters” based on user feedback.