Photo by Karsten Würth
There were several requests for this song under various artist names. These include Leeland, Sinach, and Michael W. Smith. The original composer and author is Osinachi Joseph, known commonly as her stage name Sinach.
Sinach currently serves as the senior worship leader of megachurch Christ Embassy in Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria. She primarily writes and sings Gospel music and toured the world in over 50 countries! She released nine albums, including:
- Chapter One (2008)
- I’m Blessed (2010)
- Shout it Loud (2012)
- From Glory to Glory (2012)
- Sinach at Christmas (2013)
- Sinach Live in Concert – The Name of Jesus (2014)
- Waymaker – Live (2016)
- There’s an Overflow (2018)
- Great God (Live in London) (2019)
She has won numerous awards and honors, including:
- LIMA Songwriter of the Decade Award (2016)
- Groove Awards Western Africa Artist Of The Year (2016)
- African Achievers’ Award for Global Excellence (2016)
- Top 100 Influential Christians in Nigeria (2017)
- Bethlehem Hall of Fame inductee (2017)
- LIMA Song of the Year (2019)
Her hit song Waymaker has been covered by Leeland and Michael. W. Smith, both of which helped popularize her song. On March 7, 2019, it passed the 100 million views mark, making her the first Gospel singer to achieve this feat.
Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Sinach-way-maker-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?
God moves through the earth via the Holy Spirit living in us, He reaches out to mankind, provides for all our needs, makes a way for us, performs miracles, keeps His promises, and defeats darkness with His light. He will one day wipe all tears from believers’ eyes when we enter His Heavenly Kingdom.
The term “way maker” is the central theme given its prominence as the song’s title. Merriam-Webster defines this as “one that makes a road”. What way did God make? Christians will no doubt reference the cross and Christ crucified. Jesus made a way that removed our sins that obedience to the Law could not accomplish The Old Testament sacrifices merely covered over sins. It did not remove them. This is the best explanation for this statement.
Side Note: In terms of repetition, Sinach may have used Psalm 136 as a basis for formatting each Verse. The Roman Catholic Church has a similar format during Mass. For example, during its intercessory portion, the church responds, “Lord, hear our prayer” after each prayer is offered. It’s also a common liturgical form that is put to music. In Sinach’s song, the phrase “I worship You” is the response to each statement she makes, with each prior statement adding evidence to why she praises Him. Finally, the song’s structure is almost traditionally formatted, with the Chorus repeating after a few Verses and the Bridge.
Score: 10/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
All of it is consistent with God’s inspired Word.
[Verse 1]
Lines 1 and 2: Chorus sets the context of “You” as “God”. He moves through believers via Holy Spirit living inside us (Acts 6:5, Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:16-19, Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 5:18, and 2 Timothy 1:14). Sinach responds in worship.
Lines 3 and 4: Essentially repeats ideas in lines 1 and 2.
Lines 5-8: Repeats lines 1-4.
[Chorus]
Lines 1-3: Sinach lists four characteristics of God:
- He makes a way. This is probably a reference to Matthew 19:26, which itself foreshadows Christ’s sacrifice.
- He does miracles.
- He keeps all His promises (Joshua 21:45, Joshua 23:14, 1 Kings 8:56, Romans 4:21, 2 Corinthians 1:20, Hebrews 10:23, and 2 Peter 3:9).
- He is the light that defeats darkness (Psalm 107:10-16, Luke 1:79, John 1:1-13, John 12:46, Ephesians 5:8, Colossians 1:13, and 1 Peter 2:9).
Lines 4-6: Repeats lines 1-3.
[Verse 2]
Line 1: Though God indeed interacts with His creation, we must understand that not everyone will experience His healing power. For example, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened by God rather than positively touched (Exodus 4:21, Exodus 7:3, Exodus 9:12, Exodus 10:1, Exodus 10:20, Exodus 10:27, and Exodus 11:10). There is a high likelihood that some unbelievers who are present when God moves “in our midst” and “in this place” with untouched hearts. Yet, in examples such as Matthew 2:3, where it’s unlikely that “all” Israel heard what the wise men said, or 2 Chronicles 9:23, where there were probably some kings who didn’t hear Solomon. Thus, the artist is saying “many” when using the word “all” here.
Line 2: Repeats Verse 1, line 2.
Line 3: See commentary on line 1.
Line 4: Repeats Verse 1, line 2.
[Verse 3]
Line 1: God’s desire is for all to repent (Ezekiel 18:23, Ezekiel 18:32, Ezekiel 33:11, John 3:15-17, 1 Timothy 2:3-4, 1 Timothy 2:25, and 2 Peter 3:9).
Line 2: Repeats Verse 1, line 2.
Line 3: See commentary on Verse 2, line 1
Line 4: Repeats Verse 1, line 2.
[Bridge]
Line 1a: Revelation 21:4 sets the context as believers only.
Line 1b: God is in the business of giving rest to the weary, healing their broken hearts (Matthew 11:28-30).
Line 2: Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6).
Line 3: Repeats line 1.
Line 4: Essentially repeats line 2.
[Verse 4]
Line 1: See commentary on Verse 2, line 1.
Line 2: Repeats Verse 1, line 2.
Line 3: God supplies all our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).
Line 4: Repeats Verse 1, line 2.
Score: 10/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
The combination of Sinach’s repeated statement “I worship you”, four attributes of God mentioned in Chorus, using God’s name in connection with those attributes, the works of the Almighty, and the use of everyday language eases outsider interpretation as an exclusively Christian song. It’s hard to say if unbelievers will pick up on the “all” statements are literal or as “most” or “many” sort of statements, but many will likely interpret it as an invitation to receive God. This has a Gospel element to it.
Score: 9/10
4. What does this song glorify?
It glorifies God when describing why we praise God, that He heals, makes a way, and saves.
Score: 9/10
Closing Comments
Sinach’s Way Maker is a good song. TIt accurately portrays God as One who acts among us, works miracles, and moves in our midst, defeats darkness, and makes salvation possible. These glorify God. Those outside the camp of Christ will find interpretation easy.
I highly recommend this song for corporate worship.
Final Score: 9.5/10
Artist Info
Track: Way Maker (Studio) (listen to the song)
Artist: Sinach
Album: Way Maker (Live)
Genre: Gospel
Release Year: 2016
Duration: 5:06
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
Updates:
03/20/2022 – Updated “all” criticism to align with other reviews. This raised this song’s score from 9/10 to 9.5/10, with a recommend for corporate worship.
03/15/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement, relegating commentary as a side note.
07/29/2020 – In light of some prayer and discussion offline, I’ve come to the conclusion that these “all” statements, though technically incorrect, are slight objections. Therefore, I significantly raised its score from 7/10 to 9/10 and added a recommendation to address my issues in a corporate setting.
07/27/2020 – Othniell is correct. It doesn’t make sense to include universalism when the scope of Sinach’s song is, in fact, not everyone. I’ve removed all references to it in my review. This does not alter my score.
06/08/2020 – After examining Dan Dan’s comments, I agree with part of his conclusion, that the scope of Sinach’s “every” statements is not all mankind. However, it still has universalism application given the high likelihood of unbelievers who will walk away unchanged. Therefore, I did not update my score.
06/03/2020 – After some discussion in the comments from Gbenga and Tom penner, I updated section 1, paragraph 2. I also forgot to list the other two attributes described in Chorus!
02/21/2020 – Upon reviewing Val’s commentary, I removed all references to physical healing and replaced them with univeralism thinking. This did not affect my rating.
Comments
Benjamin Banmojo
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainwave_entrainment
https://roxiva.com/trance-at-the-push-of-a-button-hypnotherapy-brainwave-entrainment/#:~:text=And%20with%20hypnotherapy%20brainwave%20entrainment,with%20the%20brains%20neural%20frequencies.
These two links discuss neural entrainment and its strong link to hypnotism.
These types of songs do exactly this. They make the listener susceptible to influence from outside sources. God never forces His will on His children. He gives us a choice. He asks us to come and reason with Him.
Consider the song – it lists some vague concepts which can be applied to God but can also be applied to the devil. Both entities can perform the supernatural which we call miracles. There are several God-centric lines such as “light in the darkness” and “keep your promises” but remember the devil always presents truth but with a little falseness sprinkled in.
Contrast this song with hymns like A Mighty Fortress or How Great Thou Art. Those songs are Biblical sermons in musical form. This Waymaker song was written to MAKE the listener FEEL a certain way without question.
The Word cautions us to test every spirit by the Law and by the Testimony Isaiah 8:20, 1 John 4:1. This means any doctrine which does not conform with the old testament scriptures which is what the law and the testimony refers to, are to be cast away. The Bible warns us against false prophets and antichrist. We are to be on guard against God‘s enemy who seeks to deceive us all the time. These types of songs are dangerous because they put the listener into a hypnotic state where they are likely to listen to whatever the pastor says next. Much of what modern evangelicals teach go completely contrary to the old testament teachings and the New Testament which is mostly written upon the Old Testament.
That’s why these so-called worship songs or praise songs can be very dangerous and prone to abuse by false prophets.
Paul Woo
Hello,
First off, I love your reviews and consistently check this site for some meaningful conversations about what songs we choose to sing in worship. Just wanted to point out that while you say you highly recommend this song for corporate worship here, it is still labeled as a “Perhaps” in the index.
Vince Wright
Paul Woo,
Thank you for your compliments and for letting me know! I’ll update it at my next convenience, which will likely be this Sunday.
-Vince Wright
Ross
I was wondering if you could review the other bridge that is (even when I don’t feel it you are working, even when I don’t see it you are working) because this is the version I’ve heard (only found out about the original bridge a fortnight ago) and these words could be problematic, depending on who they are actually taking about.
Vince Wright
Ross,
Thank you for your inquiry!
The whole thing can be summarized by John 5:17, that God and Jesus never stop working. Take a look at Gill’s commentary at https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/john-5-17.html.
-Vince Wright
John S.
Hello. I appreciate what you do in analyzing songs, but I would not recommend this song personally, speaking as a pastor. In your analysis, i believe you are reading the bible into the song rather than seeing what the song is about and the original author’s meaning. This is not a song based on biblically theological Truth, but rather on a personal revelation the songwriter believes she received from God. Please check the story behind the song: https://youtu.be/AVENBMg7XVE. Her theology and even the song would be more in line with the current trend of Word of Faith theology or the prosperity Gospel.
A few notes from the very concept of Jesus being a “way maker”, “miracle worker”, and “promise keeper”. First, Jesus states He is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” not that he makes a way. And if you take this song in context of her testimony, she is talking about God making a way for her prosperity. Furthermore, Jesus did not do miracles arbitrarily which the idea of miracle worker comes from. From a biblical standpoint, he did miracles to initiate the kingdom of God and to reveal himself as the King and Messiah that the OT prophets and writings pointed toward. I don’t believe this was on the forefront of the author’s mind when writing the song. And, finally, God is not merely a “promise keeper” where we feel he is promising us some particular blessing or prosperity in this life as the song writer states, but rather he is faithful to his covenant promises that He fulfilled in Christ.
The bottom line is that the very premise of this song is weak theologically and when you take into account the story of the song, it should rate very low on the Berean scale. While there are some biblical truths that this song holds to and it does focus on worshipping God, that worship is very conditional and based on a human centered message rather that Christ centered.
Vince Wright
John S,
Thank you for your comments!
While I understand your concerns and appreciate to hear/see Sinach’s original meaning, in my reviews, I do not take authorial intent into consideration when analyzing songs. This is to allow the lyrics to rise of fall based on their merits, not on what the author intended. This method usually ends up works against the artist, but in this case, I can see that this approach worked in Sinach’s favor. If she meant “way maker” to be about making a way for her prosperity, I don’t see it in the song lyrics.
Having said that, I admit that I did not examine dictionary definitions for “way maker”, “miracle worker” and “promise keeper” when I wrote this review. I thought that these phrases had inherent meaning, that a “way maker” is “one who makes a way” (particularly, referencing salvation), a “miracle worker” is “one who performs miracles”, and a “promise keeper” is “one who keeps promises”. All of these phrases, when understood under these definitions, are accurate descriptions of Jesus’ acts.
For “way maker”, Merraim-Webster, Ofxord English Dictionary, The Free Dictionary, and Your Dictionary all define it as “one who makes a way; precursor”. Merriam-Webster also references an 16th/17th-century English royal official who keeps highways in good repair, but I’m certain that isn’t what these lyrics are talking about. However, it also says that “precursor” is obsolete. However, I tend to lean towards charitibility when it comes to interpreting song lyrics. My charitable interpretation of “way maker” is “Jesus making a way for us to be with Him”, which fits these dictionary definitions.
As for “miracle worker”, Oxford puts a spin of doubt on it, defining it as “A person who seems to be able to perform miracles.”. Merriam-Webster has no entry. Your Dictionary also expresses doubt: “A person who claims or is alleged to perform miracles.” The same with definitions.net. The core of these definitions still fits my initial thinking. It is “one who performs miracles”. However, I can see a case for critiquing this title based on doubt expressed in these definitions. I didn’t see anything mentioned here about randomness.
As for “promise keeper”, the only thing I found was a particular Christian organization. Since there’s no working definition, then “one who keeps promises” would be a charitable reading of this lyric.
Finally, after looking at this again, “that is who you are” is not the best way to summarize these things. Making a way, doing miracles, and keeping promises are actions, they aren’t attributes of God. Thus, it would be more accurate to say “that is what you do”, not “that is who you are”. The fourth one, “light in the darkness”, also fits with my correction, prompting a potential review update. I’ll also pray about how this affects the rest of the song and whether or not another review update is warranted.
EDIT: I discovered that there is Scripture that defines God based on who He is by His acts. For example, it says in Psalm 54:4, Psalm 70:5, and Psalm 118:7 tell us that God is my help and deliverer.
-Vince Wright
Stevie
Thank you for your comment re the phrase ‘that is who You are’. After reading A.W.Tozer’s book ‘The Attributes of God’ this hymn causes a check in my heart as you quite rightly say ‘way maker’, ‘promise keeper’ are actions and by no mean who He is.
I also still struggle with the amount of repetition in the song. For me it does not move forward with a heart of worship
NP
As concerning the Word of life, Luke 10 section 25-28 says: On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
Luke 18 section 18-25 says: A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good–except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'” “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Matthew 5 section 43-48 says: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
In Old Testament, the Jewish people and their ancestors were given the Law to observe. First, What Adam and Eve should observe was that they could not eat the fruits from the tree of wisdom. Then, their son Cain was told that he should not kill. As sins became increased, the laws were also added more. Up to the generation of Moses, the Law in Old Testament was given to Israelites. We know that the Law is good and the Law is used to punish people who commit sins, but people cannot obey the Law because the sinful spirits are in people. Even that we know stealing and giving false testimony are sinful, but greedy and pride spirits in us drive us to do sinful things. So as Old Testament prophesied we need to get rid of our sinful nature from our spirits.
Jeremiah 31 section 31-33 says: “The time is coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
Ezekiel 36 section 24-27 says: “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
The prophecies are fulfilled when Jesus begins to teach love. The two greatest commandments are ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Love is above the Law and if people have love they are free from the law of sin and death. People who are full of love will not think about stealing or giving false testimony but are merciful and they feed hungry people or give thirsty people something to drink or invite strangers in or clothe people who need clothes. The Law is for people who commit sins. Nobody will say that he will get reward because he does not steal before. But love is the grace we get. And with love we will get eternal life.
Romans 13 section 8-10 says: Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Luke 17 section 20-21 says: Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say,’ Here it is,’ or ‘ There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.”
John 4 section 23-24 says: Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”
Worshipisnotmusic
As always a very thought provoking review. Is it a song which requires discernment to say it is written to Gods people?
My concern with this song, is not so much the lyrics. The Church she ministers at, was set-up by prosperity preacher Chris Oyakhilome – Christ Embassy (Loveworld). In UK it was in trouble with The Charity commission for illegal payments of £1.8million 🙈
From my understanding it is still promoting this kind of doctrine.
I do not want to support health wealth etc.
Vince Wright
Worshipisnotmusic,
Thank you for your comments! I understand your reasoning for not supporting this song.
-Vince Wright
David Scott Vail jr
I don’t know I don’t know in the Bible where it says in depend on your translation I imagine that he is the way he is the truth he is the life he’s the only one who is who was and is to come and he is the only one who is at any time so has he made a way for us to have salvation just by believing in his whole word yes but to say that he’s made away rather than he is the way is that proper I think it’s he is the way rather than Waymaker because he didn’t make the way he’s always been he has no beginning the Ancient of Days from Everlasting to Everlasting so to me this would imply that that would not be true and let every man be a liar because God is truth he is love he doesn’t make these things he doesn’t have these things he is these things and we reflect those things because we are Made In His Image in Jesus name amen
Vince Wright
David,
Thank you for your comments! I have three things to offer in reply:
1) This would be much easier to read if you included punctuation! It reads like one incredibly unbroken sentence, moving from topic to topic.
2) What you cited at the beginning is from John 14:6 and Revelation 4:8. The point that I made in referencing Matthew 19:26 is that we cannot forge our own path to righteousness. This is impossible for man. It is only possible for God to “make a way” for us to salvation. If we could do it ourselves, then Christ died in vain (Galatians 2:21).
3) Why can’t both be true? He both is the way (as you cited) and made a way (as I cited) for us. After all, we cannot go to the father unless we go through Jesus, and we cannot attain salvation unless Christ sheds His blood for us (Hebrews 9:22).
-Vince Wright
Lyrics Ruminator
I want to thank you again for your ministry. I heard this song for the first time today.
The “touching”, “healing”, and “mending” _every_ heart was the catalyst for me looking for views other than mine.
I appreciate those who respectfully came to offer their views on why in the context of the song the singer should understand the context of “every”. I did not.
It just evokes in me the same feeling as “Your Great Name”, which I see you also gave a 9/10. “All condemned, feel no shame, at the sound of Your great name” – that “All” makes me shiver; unbelievers should feel shame at the sound of His name – someday, every knee will bow and every tongue confess.
Thank you for being here!
Vince Wright
Lyrics Ruminator,
Thank you for your comments and compliments!
I don’t like “all” statements either as a single counter-example will invalidate it. Sometimes they are true though. For example, Romans 3:23 tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That’s true, we all have. But, not everyone will be healed nor will none feel ashamed at the sound of Jesus’ name. Yet, that shame should not stop us from pursuing Him.
-Vince Wright
Ekettee weamie
I love love this song!!! I do disagree with the “every” hearts part. In my interpretation, she’s probably referring to God being able to touch the hearts of unbelievers, heal the hearts of Unbelievers and being able to change their hearts from unbelieving. Mending every hearts meaning God is able repair even the blinded of hearts, he’s able to fix the hearts of criminals, and if people will turn from their sins and to him, he’s able to repair a heart that goes through break ups, losing loved ones etc…..he gives them comfort and peace!!
Philip
I think it is important not to overwork something. I think most views are well presented and logically presented. I dare say that in every song you can find something that doesn’t align with a persons theological understanding of God, Jesus, man, salvation, grace, glory, worship, etc. Oops I used the absolutist word every. My bad. I know this He is a Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, and a Light in the darkness. That is just a portion of who He is. How comforting to know that these descriptions are just a portion of His character and identity. Plus I do know that He heals every heart that calls Him Lord. He touches every heart that declares Him King. He heals every life that claims Him as Savior. Every person who honestly and correctly worships Him understand the healing and the touching.
Vince Wright
Philip,
Thank you for your comment!
Unfortunately, you are incorrect about “I dare say that in every song you can find something that doesn’t align with a persons theological understanding of God, Jesus, man, salvation, grace, glory, worship, etc.” At least, when you are speaking of me. There are lots of songs that I rated 10/10 because I found nothing wrong with it.
-Vince Wright
Lorraine Bailey
I see why Michael W. Smith & Leeland chose this song to cover. I disagree with your poor rating. It’s a 10 to me. It is written for believers not the general public. So it’s a praise and worship song for believers. As far as God healing all believer’s broken hearts ~ that is so true. If not completely healed in this world, believers will be totally healed in the next life. 🙌🏼
Lizzie.B
100% agree Lorraine😍