Tauren Wells – Hills and Valleys

American Christian pop and rock artist Tauren Wells officially started rockin’ it for Jesus in 2004.  He is a former frontman for pop-rock band Royal Tailor, nominated for two Grammy’s and one Dove.  Wells became a solo artist in 2016 and released two albums: Hills and Valleys (2017) and Citizen of Heaven (2020).  He also released two EP’s: Undefeated (2016) and Conocido (2019).  He won a GMA Dove Award for New Artist of the Year in 2017.

Also, check out my review of Known.

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 the potential blessings and dangers of this artist‘s theology by visiting Resources.

1. What message does the song communicate?

Regardless of our past and current situation, God is still with us. Though He may give us heaps of blessings and later take them away, He has not abandoned us. In either situation, whether showered with providence or barely scraping by, Wells chooses to worship, calling God’s name blessed. Wells knows that ultimately, God is Lord over all creation and loves us.

Score: 10/10

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

All lines agree with Scripture.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

I’ve walked among the shadows
You wiped my tears away

Not a reference to Revelation 21:4, but to Psalm 23:4. The “wiping my tears” is the comfort that God brings to those who run to Him. Also, see Matthew 11:28-30.

And I’ve felt the pain of heartbreak
And I’ve seen the brighter days

Examples of the “walking among the shadows” that Wells described in line 1.

[Verse 2]

And I’ve prayed prayers to heaven
From my lowest place

Wells prays, perhaps knowing that God’s promise is to hear him (1 John 5:14).

And I have held Your blessings
God, You give and take away

The non-specific blessings that Wells had has been taken from him, identifying with Job’s loss and response in Job 1:21. Similarly, Wells did not say that God was sinful or did wrong (Job 1:22). Rather, his response is different, as shown in Pre-Chorus.

[Pre-Chorus]

No matter what I have, Your grace is enough

Through his weakened state, Wells came to understand the words God spoke to Paul, that His grace is sufficient and made perfect in fragility (2 Corinthians 12:9).

No matter where I am, I’m standing in Your love

Nothing can separate Wells from the love of God (Romans 8:31-39).

[Chorus]

On the mountains, I will bow my life
To the One who set me there
In the valley, I will lift my eyes
To the One who sees me there

Thinking of Wells’ personal state in the context of mountains and valleys, the mountain represents good times with little to no tests, trials, or tribulations. Wells’ needs are met and God is His provider (Genesis 2:15-16, Genesis 9:3, Genesis 22:8, Exodus 16:1-36, Psalm 18:2, Psalm 34:10, Psalm 81:10, Psalm 84:11, Psalm 107:9, Proverbs 10:3, Malachi 3:10, Matthew 6:25-30, Matthew 7:7-8, Matthew 21:22, John 14:13-14, John 14:26, John 15:1-10, John 15:16, Romans 8:32, Ephesians 3:20, Philippians 4:19, 2 Corinthians 9:8, and 2 Corinthians 12:9). Conversely, the valley represents less than stellar times, with many tests, trials, and tribulations therein. Wells knows that these tests are ultimately for his benefit (Romans 5:3-5, Hebrews 12:4-11, and James 1:2-4).

In either scenario, whether high as a mountaintop or low as a deep valley, Wells has learned the secret of responding to any situation he faces: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:12-13). He expresses this through worship.

When I’m standing on the mountain
I didn’t get there on my own

See commentary on God as provider in Chorus, lines 1-4.

When I’m walking through the valley
I know I am not alone!

Another reference to Psalm 23:4. God’s comfort implies that Wells is not alone.

You’re God of the hi-hi-hills and valleys
Hi-hi-hills and valleys
God of the hi-hi-hills and valleys

God is sovereign over creation (Genesis 1:1, Deuteronomy 4:39, Deuteronomy 10:14, Joshua 2:11, Nehemiah 9:6, Psalm 29:10, Psalm 45:6, Psalm 50:7-15, Psalm 93:1-2, Psalm 115:3, Psalm 135:6, Isaiah 43:13, Isaiah 45:9-10, Isaiah 46:10, Lamentations 5:19, Daniel 4:35, Romans 9:19-21, Ephesians 1:11, Hebrews 1:8, James 4:15, Revelation 4:11, and Revelation 20:11).

And I am not alone

Joshua 1:9 is a great summary verse that ties in that Wells is not alone with the rest of this “no matter what” theme.

[Verse 3]

I’ve watched my dreams get broken
In You, I hope again
No matter what I know
I’m safe inside Your hands

Reiterates the same themes and Scriptural support as Verses 1 and 2.

[Bridge]

Father, You give and take away
Every joy and every pain

Another reference to Job 1:21. See commentary in Verse 2, lines 3 and 4.

Through it all, You will remain
Over it all

Another reference to God’s sovereignty. See commentary in Chorus, lines 9-11.

Father, You give and take away
Every joy and every pain
Through it all, You will remain
Over it all

Repeats lines 1-4.

On the mountains, I will bow my life, yeah
In the valley, I will lift my eyes, yeah!

Repeats Chorus, lines 1 and 3 with an extra “yeah” which implies the ancient “amen”.

[Outro]

And I will choose to say
Blessed be Your Name

God’s name is called Blessed in Scripture, including Psalm 72:18-19, Psalm 113:2, Job 1:21, and Daniel 2:19-20.

And I am not alone

Repeats Chorus, line 12.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Wells expresses the themes summarized in section 1 and expounded in section 2 using language accessible to outsiders to Christianity. Combined with God’s name explicitly stated, attribute of sovereignty, and reference to Job 1:21 that even the most Biblically illiterate will recognize makes for an easy Christian interpretation. Wells’ attitude at the end leaves them with a positive thought to ponder.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God through Wells’ insistence that we worship Him in the hills and valleys.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Tauren Wells’ Hills and Valleys offers an excellent and inspiring message. Wells’ attitude is to praise God no matter what life throws at him, glorifying God. This attitude is attractive to unbelievers, perhaps causing an increased interest as why Wells can praise Him through the valleys. After all, his word choice is easily digestible even to children. It also agrees with the Bible.

Should we worship with this song? It’s technically a testimonial; However, I would be OK with praising God in church with this one. It has plenty to offer that directs worship to God. This is especially useful in seeker-sensitive churches.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Hills and Valleys (listen to the song)

Artist: Tauren Wells

Album: Hills and Valleys

Genre: Pop

Release Year: 2017

Duration: 3:55

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*Copyright © 2016 Be Essential Songs (BMI) Jord A Lil Music (BMI) Not Just Another Song Publishing (Hipgnosis) (SESAC) So Essential Tunes (SESAC) Crucial Music Entertainment (BMI) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

10/21/2021 – Per Artist Theology announcement, I expanded the red text to encourage others to study Tauren Wells’ theology via Lakewood Church.

03/25/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.