Photo by Paweł Czerwiński
Rita Springer has been in the Christian music business since 1995, with her first and independent album, Love Covers. Since then, she has released ten other studio albums, including All I Have (2000), Created to Worship (2001), Effortless (2002), Rise Up: Live Worship (2004), I Have to Believe (2005), Worth It All (2007), Beautiful You (2008), In This Forever (2011), The Playlist (2012), and Battles (2017). She is part of the Vineyard movement, along with Andy Park, whom I have written on previously. To my knowledge, she has not won any awards for her work.
This review will be Defender from her album Battles.
Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Rita-springer-defender-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?
I have a good understanding of what Springer was going for. She attempted to communicate that God wins our battles for us, mends our brokenness, and saves us, restoring our faith. My understanding is that Springer’s inspiration for this song came from Psalm 68:21, which talks about God bringing back the head of my enemy. Yet, how do we know that it is about God? Perhaps we can rationalize that all the references to praise and worship, salvation, faith, and the word “Lord” at the end of the song would suffice; However, this could be much clearer.
There is a lack of clarity on “saved me”. Saved me from what? To what? If we are going to worship God about His saving us, the least we can do is explain why.
Finally, Springer’s unfortunate pairing of “you have saved me” with “So much better Your way” has the unfortunate linguistic consenquence of communicating that there could be other ways to salvation and God’s way is better. Perhaps the line “So much higher your ways” would make for a better substitute.
Score: 5/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
While some lines agree with Scripture, others are problematic, some more serious than others.
We will assume “You” refers to God for maximum scoring potential. Since the word “Lord” is mentioned in the last line, I won’t apply a penalty for this assumption.
[Verse 1]
Lines 1-4: The final enemy is death (1 Corinthians 15:26-28). Springer’s war against death was won through Christ, granting her victory (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).
Lines 5 and 6: Repeats lines 1 and 2.
Lines 7 and 8: This is worded poorly, though perhaps an excessive nitpick on my part. God is love (1 John 4:8) and God is Springer’s 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). We could say that God’s love compels Him to defense. But, love itself cannot do anything on its own.
[Pre-Chorus]
Lines 1-4: Perhaps referencing from Exodus 14:14, where God commanded the Israelite people to keep silent while God fights their enemies, the Egyptians. However, that is a specific context. We cannot reasonably expect God to always rescue us from our enemies if we merely praise and worship God. According to Matthew 10:22, we will be a hated people on account of Jesus. We should expect persecution from outsiders (Matthew 10:16-25).
[Chorus]
Line 1: Saved me from what? To what? The Bridge somewhat answers this when Springer sings about lostness, but it’s not as clear as, say, John 3:16-21. Missing from Springer’s message is that we are saved from eternal damnation into eternal life with God.
Line 2: Better and also higher than my ways (see Isaiah 55:8-9).
Line 3: Correct, God is Springer’s defense (see 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 4: Repeats line 2.
[Verse 2]
Lines 1 and 2: The place to seek is Jesus (John 14:6).
Line 3: More protection language. See Chorus, line 3.
Line 4: Restored faith to whom? To what? This is not mentioned anywhere in the song.
[Bridge]
Lines 1-5: God is in the business of mending broken hearts (see Psalm 147:3, Isaiah 54:1-17, Matthew 11:28-30, and 2 Corinthians 12:9)
Line 6: See Chorus, line 3.
Score: 7/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
I am not sure, to be honest. There is not a whole lot here that will lead unbelievers to conclude this as a Christian song. Perhaps it was sung in church, they might make the connection. But outside of church? Sure, there are church-y words like hallelujah, saved, praise, worship, bow down, and Lord. These might lead one to believe that the song is about some sort of healing savior, so that brings them somewhat towards Christianity. But, it could be a lot clearer.
Score: 5/10
4. What does this song glorify?
Springer intends to glorify God and I can give her some credit for that, but her execution, as mentioned previously, has a lot of work. I’ll give half credit.
Score 5/10
Closing Comments
Rita Springer’s Defender is a mixed bag. Though it does contain some biblically accurate lines and a good overall message, its execution is unclear and contains problem passages. Yes, there are some who will listen to these lyrics and find spiritual blessing upon hearing, and I am grateful for that. To God be the glory that He uses it to bless others. However, we can find better songs to accomplish the same goal.
Final Score: 6/10
Artist Info
Track: Defender (listen to the song)
Artist: Rita Springer
Album: Battles
Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)
Release Year: 2016
Duration: 7:17
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
Updates:
07/16/2020: Kenly informed me that I did not address the victory in the opening of Verse 1. I added further commentary. This did not alter my score. I also changed the “we/our” pronouns to Springer, since her lyrics contain “I/me”.
10/11/2019: After a brief conversation with commenter Briana Santillana, she made a compelling case for the possibility of multiple ways to salvation within the Chorus. I summarized it in section 1 and took away a point; However, due to rounding, the overall score remains the same.
07/28/2019: Commenter Ken Ferguson caused me to revaluate this review with his commentary. I updated the first section and bumped up its score, raising its total rating from 5.5/10 to 6/10.
Comments
Austin
If I could add another point to my comment, I am listening to a Christian radio station right now, and realize how vague and self-centered “Christian” lyrics can be dangerous not just to new believers and unbelievers but to someone who would consider himself a firm believer in Christ and the Word of God. Songs evoke emotional responses, and when we are thinking emotionally we are not thinking logically. No one is immune to false doctrine.
I hope everyone who reads your reviews will take them seriously.
Austin
Brother,
You are doing such a great job. I am open-minded. That is, if I read/hear an argument for or against something and the argument goes against my prior opinion and is Biblical, I will consider it as possibly a more accurate view. You’ve caused me to do just that regarding some songs I like very much, this one included. It’s sad to hear many “Christian” songs on the radio (not necessarily this one) that give glory to the artist rather than God. I especially appreciate your reviews to that end. I’d like to mention that I enjoyed the song “Devastator” by For Today (big hardcore fan). But the point you made that hell and Satan have nothing to fear of For Today, but they fear Christ in them caused me to consider the reasons I personally like the song. Maybe in a way, it gives me a stronger feeling of masculinity, which is easily skewed by the way the world often portrays masculinity. A sort of macho “I don’t need anyone” type.
Regarding this song, I can see how many people of the faith consider it a great worship song for there personal devotional lives. But when the artist addresses the Triune God and the nature of salvation with vague terms and relies heavily on pronouns, it is clear how it can be dangerous for the new believer and the unbeliever.
Keep on “doing your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” while avoiding “irreverent babble.” (2 Tim. 2:15-16)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
Keep up the good work, brother. It is much needed in our age of self-enlightenment.
P.S. I may request a song one of these days.
Vince Wright
Austin,
Thank you for your kind words! I appreciate that you took time out of your day to show how this ministry makes a difference in your life.
Regarding your other post: I find it difficult to listen to Christian radio for the very reasons you stated. But, that seems to be what’s popular these days.
-Vince Wright
Kenly
Hi! I researched this song a lot because as I heard the line “you come back and you call it my victory” and was wary. I noticed you didn’t write about this and would love to hear your opinion on the line. I personally have been trying to find scripture to back it up and have not. Some translations are different but I like to compare translations and not stretch them. I believe God would not call it MY victory but at the very most ours since we are on God’s side because of His Grace! We cannot do anything good and she kind of hints at that but then says in a way that God gives us solely the credit. It was worded wrong to me. Saying that He gives us solely the credit seems very unbiblical to me, but again I’d love to hear your take on it.
Vince Wright
Kenly,
Thank you for your question!
You’re right, I didn’t address it. I also posted Scripture that has nothing to do with Springer’s context!
1 Corinthians 15:26-28 tells us that death is the final enemy and 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 makes mockery of death, asking where is its victory? It also informs us that Christ gave us victory over death.
I updated my review.
-Vince Wright
Ronnie
If you “Theology” is incorrect or off so will be the “Jesus” you believe in. IF you don’t know what the Word says about Jesus then you don’t know Him , because, He is the Word. … Buy you need to have correct theology to understand that.
Ronnie
I’m sorry but wether you have written a song or not does not give you any more credibility one way or the other. You can find a song and find your Bible that is all you need to examine the Truth of a song. If it doesn’t line up with the Bible, it’s best you leave it alone. Creativity does not override the Truth of the Word.
Steve Barhydt
Heath,
I would likewise suggest that you “do a little research about the heart for the Lord” and the purpose of this website. https://www.thebereantest.com/about-the-berean-test
I have been coming to this website for a couple of years now and have found Vince to be the most open-minded, gentle-hearted commentator on Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) that I have discovered on the internet. He has never failed to respect the opinion of those who disagree with him where he freely admits “that my reviews are my own opinion and should not be taken as Gospel.”
In addition, he clearly states “God can use anything, despite my own views and opinions on any song.” https://www.thebereantest.com/criteria-for-evaluating-christian-music
Lest you think that I’m just a “fanboy” of this website, I have disagreed several times with the reviews (at least once a strong disagreement :)) Those disagreements have, I believe, sharpened both of us. Proverbs 27:17
Jesus told us in John 13:34-35
34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Notice that the defining characteristic of a disciple of Jesus is not agreeing on every doctrine. It is not living life in perfect harmony with no hint of conflict. It IS loving one another. “Agape” love as CS Lewis defined ‘highest level of love known to humanity – a selfless love, a love that was passionately committed to the well-being of the other’
This “love” is what I have seen from Vince and many other commentators here over and over again.
Yet in the course of four short paragraphs, you have referenced Vince and his website in the following way…
1) “utterly wasted time doing such useless things”
2) offering your opinion on his opinion would be “casting pearls before swine”
3) That “all of this nonsense about “critiquing” and “evaluating” these songs stops” – (As if analyzing songs through the “lens” of the Bible is somehow “nonsense”)
4) “people like yourself will perform a true service to the lost” – (I don’t see this website as for “the lost” but rather as a resource tool for believers, primarily those whose task it is to lead others in worship)
5) “just like the Pharisee of Jesus day you somehow feel like you are preventing something and doing some great service” – (This website is a great service and wonderful, necessary ministry considering that most other commentators on CCM take a “guilty until proven guiltier” approach to many worship bands that are producing a large portion of today’s worship songs)
6) “you won’t post it” – Essentially accusing him of cowardice.
There is a striking lack of “love”, sir, in your approach and, with all humility, as a fellow brother in Christ, I beg you to evaluate yourself to find out where this hostility is coming from. It is neither Christ-like nor of any value to the Kingdom of God.
Vince, with proper humility, will not strongly defend himself so I will.
Either put scripture to your charges against this website, as Vince does to every shortfall that he sees within a particular song, or offer up an apology to Vince and those of us who have come to appreciate what he is attempting to do here.
Vince Wright
Steve,
Wow, just wow. I am greatly humbled by your words and simultaneously in awe of the incredible rebuke that is your post. You, sir, are an inspiration! Thank you for defending me. I appreciate that!
-Vince Wright
Vince Wright
Heath,
I have two questions. Why do you believe that my critiquing and evaluating is “nonsense” and what Scripture do you have to support your view?
-Vince Wright
Starlyn68
Please stop and take a minute. We should only worship God and most of the “Christian” songs we have do not do that. They represent self and what we are doing and especially what we WANT. They even go so far as to tell the MOST HIGH GOD to come meet them as if they were higher than He. We do not have reverential fear of the Lord. I don’t care what you say, but neither do you! Do you tremble at the mention of His name? Do you bow down before Him? Every time?? Do you ever wonder why the word satiates that the path is narrow and not everyone that cries Lord Lord will enter in?? Are you going out making disciples? What are you…and all of us “Christians” supposed to be doing? Sitting back and listening to a song with enough time to look up the critique and then criticize the one who does the critiquing? No! We are supposed to be making disciples in baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and The Holy Spirit. I am just as disobedient. But please remember… this life is but a vapor!!!
Ronnie
Great example of having the “correct” Theology. If we can argue so vigorously the lyric and meaning of a Song we BETTER know what Our Bible says and means even more but that unfortunately in today’s “church”, that is not the case. Church has become more about music we sing than what the Word teaches in the majority of churches in American. What we sing should be to Him and about Him and be clear that is what we are doing… but if we were as dedicated to living our lives according to the way the Word directs us, “to go make disciples”, this would not be a conversation.
Briana Santillana
Hi, I want to start by saying THANK YOU for writing this. We need to be critical about the lyrics in our songs as that is part of the theology people are going to hold on to. We are all free to disagree civilly, but for some of you naysayers, please be respectful! We are Christians! Brothers and sisters in Christ! This review is coming from a good place. And there is more love in this reviewers calm, logical answers than some of your emotional, poetically enlightened, “non-Pharisaeic” reactions. So please. Let’s be civil.
Now to the point I wanted to make. Like many commenters, I too have been entranced by this song- it brings up so many beautiful emotions. But for me, as I listen to it, I actually get extremely irked by a completely different line that I’m surprised no one has brought up, and I wanted to know your thoughts. In the chorus, I love when they sing “Hallelujah, you have saved me..” my heart leaps, but then they sing, “so much better your way..” Honestly every time that lyric hits, my mind goes Better? Better than what? When it says “Saved me” I’m thinking salvation from Hell. So when it says so much better your way… I’m kind of dumbfounded. I think, But your way isn’t the Better way— it’s THE way, the only way to Heaven. I mean how do you use the word Better to describe salvation? Like someone saying, “Wow, you saved me from a burning building! It’s so much BETTER that you showed up.” What?? That makes no sense. The word better implies (at least to me), that there are other ways to God and this is simply the better way, which is completely heretical and vexing. So I’m frustrated! I cannot with good conscious sing these words!
Now, I know the explanation that many might give is that it’s referring to Isaiah 55:8-9 how God’s ways are so much higher than our ways. Now I can embrace that of course because our salvation does derive from God’s ways being higher than ours. It’s a beautiful reminder of how helpless we are without God, and how grateful we should be that His ways are nothing like our ways. But the way these lyrics are worded doesn’t immediately bring that to mind for me. It’s really ambiguous because “way” is singular and the context of being “saved” puts me on that track of God’s way for salvation. If I could just change that lyric to say, “so much greater are your ways,” I would immediately make the connection to Isaiah, and this song would be perfect!
Although, I do get strong, beautiful Jesus-love vibes from this song, I also believe that Worship lyrics should be taken seriously as a ministry and be critiqued from many angles, not just by feelings and melody. The Bible says that God is not the author of confusion. There are so many little things that can be a foothold for the enemy to bring confusion in the church, and we should be vigilant to be clear in our message. It’s really important, and I applaud you for sparking these conversations. Please let me know your thoughts.
Vince Wright
Briana Santillana,
Thank you for your challenge and compliments. I appreciate it!
To the lyric “So much better your way” from the Chrous, as you no doubt noticed, I posted Isaiah 55:8-9 as the Scripture verse, with commentary that concludes, in a few words, what you stated in the third paragraph. I suppose I saw the connection immediately, which is why I added it as part of my commentary. Better, after all, is a comparative term. It also implies that there is a best by which to examine all others. I do not think Springer stated that God’s methods are the best of course, but it does imply that whatever God’s plan is, it’s better than someone else’s, perhaps hers. Isaiah’s passage also does not state that God’s way is best, so I cannot criticize Springer for this without also critiquing Isaish in the same manner.
Sometimes when I think I know what a word means, but get into a discussion about something like “way” vs. “ways”, consulting English professionals is helpful. According to this post, the difference is that “way” is a specific referential (e.g.; path, manner, or behavior) and ways is an unknown or unclear referential (e.g.; unknown/unspecified path, manner, or behavior). Both are talking about a path, manner, or behavior about a thing, with the difference in regard to knowledge. Grammatically, since Rita Springer does not specify the manner in which she speaks of God’s methods, “ways” is the correct word.
Curiously, I examined the Hebrew using Strong’s. The word derek [1870] appears in both Isaiah verses, meaning “way, road, distance, journey, manner”. So, the English “way(s)” is correct. “Ways”, as stated previously, is more correct from a grammatical standpoint than “way”; However, I do not believe the meaning is lost due to Springer’s technically incorrect usage. I won’t dock points for bad grammar, so long as it does not alter its meaning.
In the burning building example, I think of it as “Wow, you saved me from a burning building! It’s so much BETTER that you showed up. My method wasn’t working. I could not save myself. I would be dead without you!” At least, that is how I perceive it.
I appreciate the opportunity to dialogue and hope this response gives you something worth pondering. Trust me, they are not higher than God’s thoughts! 😀
FYI: I added “than my ways” as part of my commentary to explicitly state that which I thought was implicit.
-Vince Wright
Briana Santillana
Hello Vince,
Thank you for your response. To clarify, my critique is less about grammar and more about how word choice lends itself to different meanings. When I first heard the song, I really didn’t know the source or their beliefs. I wouldn’t argue that ‘best’ would be a better word to use. I would prefer something that is less commonly used in our everyday language like ‘greater’ or ‘higher,’ coupled with ‘ways’ and I’ll explain why in a minute.
Of course God’s ways are better than ours. My thought with asking better than what, is that in the context of the previous verse that says, ‘You have saved me,’ and the way that we tend to use the word ‘better’ in every day language mixed with the word ‘way’ as singular, a completely different meaning can be taken. For example, if I’m going to the beach, I could walk there, I could ride a bike, take an Uber, or I could carpool with a friend. I would prefer the last option, and I would say to my friend, ‘It’s so much better that I can carpool with you.’ But all of those ways would still get me to the beach. In the same way, with the context of singing, ‘You have saved me; it’s so much better this way,’ it sounds to me like the writer/ singer thinks there are many ways to Heaven and going through Jesus is the ‘better way’ instead of the only way. Or they could believe there’s no hell, but being saved by Jesus is so much better than non-existence. And that’s problematic to me. In this day and age, there is so much cultural relativism and false teachings to change or water down the Gospel message. So, although I can understand how the Isaiah 55 verse can be understood for its meaning here, I don’t think it’s right to have language around the word ‘saved’ that could convey (even if unintended) a different gospel message- that there are many ways to Heaven.
Now on the contrary, I think this could have been worded better to have less likelihood of misinterpretation. Personally, I would prefer to sing it, ‘You have saved me; so much greater are your ways,’ because then you know you’re singing about God’s amazing heart and plan for salvation that could never have been done by anyone else. While the way it currently is ‘You have saved me; so much better your way,’ the ‘way’ seems to refer back specifically to God’s saving me, which begs the question- better than what? Better than my ways cause they weren’t working? Better than non-existence, (if one doesn’t believe in Hell)? Better than my way of living a good life without God (assuming both ways can get to Heaven)? I feel like it leaves an open door of meaning.
For my fire example, I was also meaning to point out that it seems to be a very casual, over-simplified phrase to follow a high stake, weighty subject matter, at least to me.
Idk. Am I overthinking this? Cause when I was listening to it, it seemed like a natural thought where I had to wonder- does this person know that Jesus is the only way?
What are your thoughts?
Vince Wright
Briana,
Thank you for your additional commentary! I have a better understanding of your position. If I understand you correctly, your view is that “you have saved me” is the antecedent of “so much better this way”, setting the context for multiple ways to salvation. Though there is an alternating “this way” and “Your way” within the Chorus, this does not matter in terms of your point.
I think we can both agree that Springer’s intent is for these two statements to exist independently; However, I understand your point also. It’s a freak thing that materialized from placing two statements together.
I updated my review and slightly lowered the score for section 1.
-Vince Wright
Gary
Hi Vince, You suggest Ps 68 “talks about God bringing back the head of MY enemy.” I’ve looked at numerous translations of Ps 68:21. Plenty speak of God CRUSHING the head of HIS enemies. Nothing about bringing anyone back heads as trophies. (except David’s men with Ish-bothesh 2 Sam 4:7,8 and they died for their trouble). So how can you find this true to Scripture?? Please share the version…
I can find no reference in Scripture to decapitation by God. There is famously David- where he does the hacking himself and plenty of others where the executioner is always human. Meanwhile Jesus does something quite different which we are commanded to imitate- Love our enemies.
Trying for distance from ISIS decaptitation images by spiritualizing the meaning to Satan is not Biblical either. Satan is a defeated foe (again, the promise of head crushing), but he is NOT headless/dead. He prowls around, he has a future in the lake of fire.
This song gets better if you omit the first verse.
PS God does not always deliver as Rita writes. In what sense are we “overcomers” when “all we do is praise/bow down/stay still” and God the lawnmower parent removes the enemies and trials? For David? For Jesus? For James? In contrast Revelation suggests believers will die the way of John the Baptist and James as we are persecuted for Christ. Rev 20:4.
Vince Wright
Gary,
Great questions!
The only translation I could find is the Aramaic Bible in Plain English. In my mind, crushing and cutting off the head of one’s own enemy is equivalent in terms of Springer’s intended communication: God defeats our enemies. This is a potential candidate of straining at gnats.
From a New Testament perspective, our enemy is not flesh and blood, but principalities, rulers, and spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12). He always protects against these things, providing the way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). I added this to my review, but did not alter the score.
-Vince Wright
Schelly
I’m not critiquing your critique. However, in response to your question, “Saved me from what?” I will say that I appreciated that I can be singing this song about God saving me from my tendency to sin in one area while another can sing about God saving him in another. It’s that very openness that makes the song itself seem relevant to a wide audience. For those of us who haven’t fully worked out all of our testimony (yet), it seems an excellent jumping-off point, at any rate. I for one love the song and give God glory for something new every time I hear it, because I think of yet another way He saved me every day. Thanks for your analysis. God bless you!
Michael Nuffer
Your academic analysis is great but you totally missed if you look at the the real test you would see.
It explains what Jesus does. In smple every day language.
2. The person was broken in pieces.greatly discouaged.in great pain
3.He reached out and saved her.rearranged her put her back together so she could experience again his great love.and she again came to aplace of deep worship.
This song touches the heart and soul of a person. It brings one into a state of deep apprecion and love for the Lord. It makes on want to draw close to him hugg him and thank him for his love.
Is this not the type of worship he desires.
Next time do a Heart Check instead of a academic analysis.
It keads people back to Jesus stamp a big amen on it
Vince Wright
Michael,
Thanks for your thoughts! While there is a time and a place for a heart check, this site is about an academic analysis.
-Vince Wright
Michael Nuffer
Academia has a tendency to miss the mark.Jesus rebuked the academics of his time
Vince Wright
Michael,
I’m just making sure I understand you. Academia has a tendency to miss the mark. Jesus rebuked the academics of his time. Therefore, I missed the mark. Is that correct?
-Vince Wright
Ken Ferguson
Agreed! I like that people are watching out for the integrity of worship music. That is useful and good. But, the system here takes almost all art, context, heart, and spirit out of the process. This is a moving, God-centered song. Not everything is safe. Quit this process. It’s not edifying, It’s hair-splitting and focused on the letter of the law, not the heart.
Krystal
I understand the comments that people are posting and how they are relating the song to their own lives and experiences, but I have to agree with Tasty on this one. As a worshipper myself, we are called to a higher standard, leading the congregation into the Throne Room when we sing unto the Lord. I pray about every song that we bring to the table that, as a group, will introduce into our church which means it needs to be biblically sound as well. We don’t want the people to walk out singing songs that have theological twists and/or compromise just because those who believe we are to give leniency for the poetry aspect in lyrics to a Christian song. And I’m not knocking down poets either, I am just pointing out the very thing that makes this a controversial topic to begin with…the problem with music today is that people (mainly musicians) will use justification to continue singing a song that may “feel good” to them, but have areas that don’t align with scripture. With this particular song, the issue as someone mentioned before, is in fact “Me”centric and yes, we are to praise and bow down and stay still, but we are not perfect. As the body of Christ, we are still being sanctified until we are called Home. And later on in the song she mentions when I thought I lost me and when He picks up the pieces to put me back together, it contradicts the very beginning with the lyrics in the bridge. We are never lost when we are with God. Some of you will still comment on how biblical this song is and how true of a worship song it is and that’s fine, but there’s something “off” about this song and after much conviction, prayer, and confirmation from the Lord, I have peace about what I said and not singing this song in church. May God richly bless all of you 🙂
tastywallet
Krystal,
Thanks for the support, I appreciate it!
-TastyWallet
William Reid
I really appreciate your desire to make sure songs are truly glorifying to God. As a friend of mine who leads who worship recently reminded me, “Whether we like it or not, worship music teaches theology. People walk out of the service humming the songs, not the sermon.”
As the leader of worship time at my church, I find myself constantly fighting the tension between wanting to be true and Biblically accurate in the songs I choose and also wanting to be open to the work of the Spirit and engaging emotionally with the music (as a caveat, I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive)
When I first heard this song at a worship night, I reacted very similarly to you did. The music was absolutely amazing and it was very emotionally captivating, but there still seemed to be blocks in my heart preventing me from engaging. The biggest block I ran into from engaging fully was the bridge. I thought, “Is God merely a means to finding ourselves?” It seemed rather shallow and egocentric to me. But, over the following months it became one of my favorite worship songs and prayers, and I’ll explain why.
As I was listening to it more, the passage 2 Chronicles 20:15-22 came to mind. You mentioned it in your article as well. In verses 15-17 we see God calling Israel to trust Him, because He would fight the battle for them and deliver them. He would defend them and fight their wars for them. “You go before I know that you’ve even gone to win my wars”. God is fighting the battles for us even when we don’t know it (see also 2 Kings 6:17-20–God opened the eyes of Elisha’s servant to see that He was fighting for them. Even though the servant didn’t know it yet). In verse 18 we see Jehosophat and the entire nation of Israel bowing down before God and worshiping. That was how they fought their battles. “All I did was praise. All I did was worship. All I did was bow down. All I did was stay still.”
In my own life, I try so hard to save myself. I very easily slip into a mindset similar to the pharisees. I see my problems, I see my anxiety, I see my depression, I see the terrible circumstances in my life and I immediately assume I need to change them myself. But God calls us to praise Him, bow down before Him, submit to Him, and He will lift us up at the proper time. Praise really is a weapon because it leads our hearts into surrender to God and His infinitely good and powerful character.
On a more emotional basis, I really resonate with this song. I get goose bumps listening to it and have found myself tearing up to it. I personally think this song is Spirit filled and powerful.
For these reasons I have no problem with this song and find it convicting, worshipful, and engaging.
tastywallet
William,
Thanks for your thoughts! I appreciate that you voiced your experience and your own take on this song. My mind isn’t changed, but I am glad that this song means so much to you!
-TastyWallet
Mom of many
Thank you for allowing us to give our comments. I am not very eloquent or good at explaining myself but I will try. I think your testing criteria is rigid, preventing you from being able to judge poetry. As a result you loose the point or focus of the song in the practical or logical translation. I know songs where you criteria would be beneficial. This song is more for mature believers and serves as a testimonial not informative or one to convert the non-believer. It is for the worshiper in intimate/personal conversation with their king. There are a lot of “understoods” that would be ruined if explained. For example, I invision Daniel in the lions den or the 3(4) in the fire when she talks about standing still and worshiping. Yes we meet opposition but like Daniel it’s not our fight. Our role is to worship our King and stand humbly silent. Another “understood” moment is the bridge about finding yourself. No one else was able to pick up the pieces. Only the defender of her heart. That is pretty clear that only the inferred Jesus can save us….we can’t even save ourselves. It is Jesus who picks up the pieces and makes us beautiful…..transformationally beautiful. Everytime I sing this song God places part of my life story into the words where he has gone before me to fight my battles before I even knew it was there to fight. Similar to Joseph saving the Isrealites or Esther. Rita didn’t need to spell out the Stories. She left it vague enough so God can fill in His story as we contemplate on Him.
tastywallet
Mom of Many,
Thank you for your thoughts! Sometimes I feel that I am attempting to fit a round peg into a square hole while at the same time remaining faithful and consistent to my criteria. Clarity is something that has always been important to me, which as you say, has the effect of casting poetry in a bad light. It is an unfortunate consequence of my logical, unimaginative mind. It is a common complaint I have received, yet, I cannot bring myself to see it any other way.
Nonetheless, I still hope you found some use out of my review.
-TastyWallet
Mom of many
We need both the logic (teaching) and the creative (worship). It is difficult when judging one by the other because in trying to find logic, the heart of worship is lost. Somehow, we need to be able to measure the biblical quality of both. I appreciate your efforts and respect your desire for consistentcy.
tastywallet
Mom of many,
Thank you for understanding from my perspective. Much appreciated!
I get what you are saying, we need a balance between the left brain (logic) and right brain (creativity). I’ll have to think and pray more on how I can approach poetry biblically.
-TastyWallet
Ken Ferguson
I’m sorry, truly, but maybe if you’re pointing out that you have such a “logical and unimaginative mind” you shouldn’t be analyzing the hard-fought lyrics of worship music. As a worship lyricist myself with a lot of worship songs, it’s painful to listen to you shred these songs. Also, you say it has the effect of “casting poetry in a bad light.” So…. you’re analyzing poetry, but see poetry in a “bad light” and you can’t bring yourself to see it any other way? Maybe pray for some insight. God is capable of changing you if you ask. I’m not being sarcastic here. The Bible, itself, has large sections of poetry. Ask God for insight. Also, why in the world do you believe you have to stay “faithful to your criteria”? Change it if it’s not working. Stay faithful to God, not your criteria.
tastywallet
Ken,
Thanks for your thoughts! I appreciate that.
-TastyWallet
thoughtsmeander
As much as I love the song, I’d have to defend the reviewer here. I am part of a church music team, and I always find his reviews insightful. Now, I might not agree with all of his perspectives but there’s no reason to attack him. After all, art is subjective. And worshippers–that is, any Christian–don’t need to be artists to be able to think and gauge the biblical accuracy of any song.
He’s not doing this out of spite. I can’t imagine how much effort it takes to break down a song like this and pray whenever people offer differing opinions that may lead him to change his. I hope you get around to reading his other reviews and have a change of heart 🙂
Tasty, thank you. I am glad a site like this exists.
tastywallet
Thoughts,
Thanks, I appreciate that!
-TastyWallet
Ken Ferguson
Not sure the “effort” has anything to do with it. People spend a lot of time on things that don’t matter. Watch a crowd at an NFL game!
Not using the word “Lord” or “God” or “Jesus” does not define the song as poor. If I’m praying at church and say, “He have saved me from my previous life” is somebody going to get up and interrupt by demanding I use proper names or it doesn’t really mean much?
What would an outsider think? It’s a fair question, but the “outsider” is probably not lost on the fact that they’re standing in church or listening to a Christian radio station. Give the “outsider” some credit for not being an idiot. I can tell a song is a worship song from the first non-lyrical 30 seconds.
What does this song glorify? You rate this one low because the other categories are low. And the other categories are low because… well… it doesn’t contain the message of salvation, etc . Every worship song needs to contain the elements of salvation? If worship song writers followed this prescription, we would just have the same song again and again. A worship song is not a sermon. And many sermons, long as they may be, don’t contain the message of salvation — though they should. This song’s main message suggests that the Lord puts a person back together and defendeds them when they did nothing to deserve it. Isn’t that the message of salvation in a poetic form? The song glorifies God for doing everything — while the saved person did nearly nothing.
.
Ironically, the lyrics appear to line up with scripture pretty well (7.5). Yet, the total score is a 5.5? Your criteria and system are not balanced if the song is scriptural, yet the overall is a 5.5. I design rubrics for high school classes and yours is not properly balanced.
Strangely, have not even considered the music: the flow, the structure,the melodies, harmonies, instrumentation, the passion, the heart of the message, its usefulness in the Kingdom for those people hurting and giving glory to God. The overall effect of the song on the listener — you and me — is missing. You have looked at an element — the words — and found the song lacking? A 5.5? Yes, I realize that your main thing is “analyzing lyrics in Jesus’ name,” but maybe there should be more to it. Because, honestly, there is more to it. I’ve had songs where I connect with God simply singing “oh oh… oh woah…” Romans 8:26 says that “the Spirit intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
Worship is a matter of Spirit and Truth. I get that your focus is on the “truth” aspect of it. Yet, it seems a questionable path to only focus on that one aspect in your analysis of worship songs. There’s a part of me that appreciates what you’re doing. And another part that thinks you’re missing the point.
Niqui
Soooo, new commenter here.
A large portion of most church services include singing. Those songs should have sound doctrine, or why not sing Bad Romance by Lady Gaga? The blogger is providing a review of the biblical soundness of the lyrics of a song that gets sung in churches, where many less doctrinally sound people will learn their doctrine from songs. Of course there’s room for artistic license, but not at the expense of truth. Worship songs will never contain all the truth, but they must never contain untruth.
That being said, he didn’t claim the song was heretical, but that there are songs with better lyrics to portray the same message, especially if you’re going to sing it as part of your worship set at a church service. And I’ve got to say, I agree.
Have a nice day 🙂
Starlyn68
I am also very thankful!!
Paul Beckman
I honestly think that – despite your claim to the contrary – you don’t actually know what Springer is after in this song. Very simply stated, her point is that God alone wins for us the victory (which, by implication, means salvation, both ultimately and in daily ways). This is a grace song, which is just about entirely focused on the glory and power of God and his love. Yes, it has a personal viewpoint, but its emphasis is on a redeeming experience that is God-initiated and glorifying.
Just as with Jehosephat, David, and others who depended solely on the greatness of the Lord, so Springer’s understanding is that our part is to trust, pray, worship, and be still so that we can know that he is God.
Somehow I sense an anti-charismatic bias, but I could be entirely wrong. So you might not like my conclusion that this song is anointed (as well as biblical).
tastywallet
Paul,
Thanks for your comments! I’m not sure if I have an anti-charismatic bias or not, but clarity is something that is important to me. If this is her message, that is not clear to me in these lyrics.
-TastyWallet
tastywallet
Bob,
That is correct: I am not an artist; However, just like I am not a woman and can have a view on abortion, I am also a man who is not a lyricist and can have a view on the Biblical accuracy of music. You may not like what I have to say, but that is no reason to commit ad hominem.
If you would explain what specifically in my review you disagree with and why, that would be a more constructive way to cause me to ponder your thoughts and, possibly, lead me to change my mind,
-TastyWallet
Greyson Nave
While I agree with most of this evaluation, I also find the first two lines of the bridge to be problematic. It’s very me-centric, and also implys that salvation is “finding ourself” and God helped us do so. If this is not the implication, it is—in any case—poorly worded.
tastywallet
Greyson,
Thank you for taking the time to read my review and comment! I can’t say I 100% agree, but I understand where you’re coming from. I do agree that it’s poorly worded.
-TastyWallet