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Photo by Pietro De Grandi
In much the same structure as the “big three”, Hillsong, Elevation, and Maverick City Music, River Valley Worship is a church-led band. Held together by a conglomerate of worship pastors and songwriters.
They released nine albums and three EPs, including:
- You Are/I Am (2012)
- All in All (2012)
- Sounds Like Victory (Deluxe Edition) (2014)
- Edge of Heaven (2016)
- Million Lifetimes (2018)
- Million Lifetimes: Deconstructed (EP, 2018)
- Altars (2020)
- River Valley Worship: The Ensemble Project (EP, 2021)
- Attention (a Devotional Project) (2022)
- Faith in Our Time (Live) (2022)
- Nothing He Can’t Do (2024)
- Now To Him (EP, 2024)
Also, check out my review of Sanctuary.
Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/River-valley-worship-every-good-thing-live-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 this artist’s theology’s potential blessings and dangers by visiting Resources.
1. What message does the song communicate?
River Valley Worship acknowledges, worships, stands with, and adores God because He:
- Wins against His enemies when directly involved
- Thwarts lies with His truth
- Never breaks a promise
- Lifts, but does not necessarily eliminate, our suffering
- Amazes
- Worthy of worship
- Glorified
- Grants good things
Score: 10/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
100%.
[Verse 1]
Lines 1-4: River Valley Worship affirms that God wins all battles He wages (Exodus 14:14, Deuteronomy 20:4, Psalm 118:7, and 1 Corinthians 15:57) and is the embodiment of truth (John 14:6) that will stand against all falsehoods. There are also 48 references in the Old Testament and 10 in the New Testament to “Almighty God”.
[Verse 2]
Line 1-4: Similar to Verse 1, except that two different acts of God are mentioned. Namely, that He keeps all His promises (Numbers 23:19, Joshua 21:45, Joshua 23:14, 1 Kings 8:56, Romans 4:21, 2 Corinthians 1:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:24, Hebrews 10:23, and 2 Peter 3:9) and that He easily lifts every burden.
For the 2nd, this is about easing burdens not necessarily removing them. When we understand that burdens are used to discipline us (Romans 5:3-5, Hebrews 12:4-11, and James 1:2-4) they become much easier to bear, especially if we bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). Also, Jesus said that His yoke is easy and burden light (Matthew 11:30), that is, easier and lighter than the weight of guilt, shame, and sin that leads to the second death (Matthew 18:7-9, Matthew 25:41, Matthew 25:46, Mark 9:43, Romans 6:23, Jude 1:7, and Revelation 14:11).
[Pre-Chorus]
Lines 1-4; He deserves all the glory (Exodus 16:7, Exodus 24:17, Exodus 40:34-35, Leviticus 9:23, 1 Chronicles 29:11, Psalm 3:3, Psalm 8:1, Psalm 19:1-4, Isaiah 6:1-3, Isaiah 40:5, Isaiah 42:8, Isaiah 58:8, Isaiah 60:1, Habakkuk 2:14, John 1:14, John 17:22, Romans 3:23, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Philippians 4:19, Hebrews 1:1-3, Revelation 21:10-14, and Revelation 21:23).
Lines 5-8: Shows up on the last repeat. Repeats lines 1-4.
[Chorus]
Lines 1 and 2: A slight variation of the beginning of James 1:17.
Lines 3 and 4: Appears in subsequent repeats of Chorus. Repeats lines 1 and 2.
[Verse 3]
Lines 1-4: Coming off the heels of my commentary of Verse 2, God is with us every step of the way (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).
[Bridge]
Line 1: Repeats the first part of Chorus.
Line 2: Woah nelly followed by a call to Casper the friendly ghost.
Lines 3-6: Repeats lines 1 and 2.
[Outro]
Lines 1-5: Repeats Bridge except for Bridge’s last line isn’t here.
Score: 10/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
The words “God” and “Jesus” should easily point unbelievers into Christian territory. River Valley’s worship’s language is plain English and easily interpreted.
Score: 10/10
4. What does this song glorify?
Jesus as the One who does great things.
Score: 10/10
Closing Comments
River Valley Worship’s Every Good Thing is a good song. It calls us to remember the kindness of the Lord, that He eases our pain, wins our fights, defeats false ideas with truth, and never ceases to amaze us. These bring Him glory. Unbelievers should easily interpret this one.
I highly recommend this song for corporate worship.
Final Score: 10/10
Artist Info
Track: Every Good Thing (listen to the song)
Artist: River Valley Worship
Album: Faith In Our Time
Genre: Rock
Release Year: 2022
Duration: 3:55
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