Stuart Townend – I Will Wait for You (Psalm 130)

English artist Stuart Townend has been in the business since 1995.  He released fourteen albums, including Creation Sings (2009), The Paths of Grace (2014), and Courage (2018).

He was honored last year for his work on In Christ Alone, co-written with Keith And Kristyn Getty. It was ranked #3 in a BBC poll in UK’s Favourite Hymns. It was the highest-ranked hymn that contained writers who are still alive.

Due to its title, for this review of I Will Wait for You (Psalm 130), I will limit myself to Psalm 130 as much as possible.

Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Stuart-townend-i-will-wait-for-you-psalm-130-lyrics.

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1. What message does the song communicate?

It is a rewording of Psalm 130 within the context of Christianity.  Townend talks about repentance, that he does not deserve mercy, that forgiveness comes through the atoning work of Jesus. Townend waits for Christ and is not disappointed; his spiritual thirst quenched.

Score: 10/10

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

All lines align with the inspired Word of God.

[Verse 1]

Line 1: This is the opening line of Psalm 130:1.  It comes from a place of deep anguish for sins committed, which shows up in Verse 2.

Line 2: A rewording of line 1.

Lines 3 and 4: Townend requests for God to listen, requesting mercy for his lawbreaking (Psalm 130:2).

[Verse 2]

Lines 1 and 2: A rhetorical question with an obvious answer: no one (Psalm 130:3).

Lines 3 and 4: Townend tailors Psalm 130:4 in the context of the concept of salvation grace alone, that is, grace apart from works, a New Testament concept (Luke 18:9-14, Acts 13:39, Romans 3:20-30, Romans 4:1-7, Romans 8:3, Romans 9:16, Romans 9:31-32, Romans 11:6, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 2:21, Galatians 3:10-12, Galatians 3:21, Galatians 5:2-4, Ephesians 2:8-9, Philippians 3:3-9, 2 Timothy 1:9, Hebrews 6:1-2, and James 2:10-11).

[Chorus 1]

Lines 1-4: With more zeal than an ancient watchman who waits for the light of day, Townend will wait for God until his thirst for Him is quenched (Psalm 130:5-6).

[Verse 3]

Lines 1-4: In much the same way as the Psalmist shifts the focus from self to Israel (Psalm 130:7), Townend appeals to his listeners to follow Jesus because He resurrected (Matthew 28:1-20, Mark 16:1-20, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29 Acts 1:3, Acts 3:15, Acts 4:33, and 1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

[Verse 4]

Lines 1-4: Townend explains the rest of Psalm 130:7-8 in the context of Romans 5:6-8:  while we were sinners, Christ died for us and made redemption possible (Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 1:29, John 3:16, John 19:30, Acts 4:12, Acts 20:28, Romans 5:6-10, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 1:3-4, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 2:14, 1 Timothy 2:6, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 9:26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9).  Jesus is the Great Physician who heals those who know they require His healing (Matthew 9:12, Mark 2:17, and Luke 5:31).

[Chorus 2]

Lines 1-4: Repeats Chorus 1, lines 1-4.

Lines 5-8: A rewording of lines 1-4.

[Spontaneous]

Lines 1-5: A rewording of Chorus 2.

[Outro]

Lines 1 and 2: A rewording of Chorus 2, lines 7 and 8.

Lines 3 and 4: Repeats line 2.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Many of those outside the camp of Christ knows what it’s like to cry out to God in a dark place; However, Townend talks about something much deeper than remorse.  I have no reason to think his words will be intellectually misunderstood by unbelievers.  Townend trusts in God because of the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus.

We cannot expect them to experientially understand what it means to wait upon God without the Holy Spirit; However, if they take his advice, they will become Christians!

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Jesus through Townend’s New Testament rendering of Psalm 130.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Stuart Townend’s I Will Wait for You (Psalm 130) is an awesome song.  It faithfully recasts this Psalm in fresh words, contextualizing it as Christian salvation, bringing glory to Jesus.  Unbelievers should have no issue conceptualizing Townend’s lyrics and will become followers of Jesus if they put his words into practice.

Consider this one for your worship set, especially if you’re looking to add a Christianized Psalm.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: I Will Wait for You (Psalm 130) (listen to the song)

Artist: Stuart Townend

Album: Courage

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2018

Duration: 5:23

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Updates:

03/25/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.