Will and the Word Worship, Wilton McKinley Glenn (Maria Cress) – Beloved

Will and the Word Worship started in 2020.  Though with many singles released, their self-titled debut album came out in 2024.

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1. What message does the song communicate?

This song is written from God’s perspective in mind.  The phrase “Come back to Your Lord” makes this obvious.  As with other reviews, I’d like to remind the reader, as well as artists who are reading this, that we need to exercise caution when speaking from God’s perspective.  Old Testament prophets were put to death for a single instance of a failed prophecy.

With that in mind, I think that the artist did a fine job with this song.  God makes a plea with those of us who have backslidden, reminding us that Jesus died for us, our former life of lawbreaking does not end well, and our responsibility to spread Christianity to others.

I am anticipating some pushback on the word “adore”.  Merriam Webster defines it as “worship” while Oxford says that it’s more about showing love.  Etymologically, it also means “worship”.  However, synonyms include “love”, “be devoted to”, “care for”, “hold dear”, and “cherish” among others.  The jury’s out on this word.

I’ve decided to penalize this section and give sections 2 and 4 a pass on this word.

Score: 8/10

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

The entire song is in alignment with God’s inspired Word, with the understanding that “adore” means “to show love”.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

I have waited for you

God is speaking to us.  He has waited since the foundation of the world for us (Ephesians 1:4, 2 Timothy 1:9, and Titus 1:2).

I have given you Truth

That is, Jesus (John 14:6).

You’re so much more
Than all they can ever say

“They” are referring to unbelievers.  They do not speak of Christians as God does, indeed, even we don’t think as God does either (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Its you that I adore

I’ve already addressed the word “adore” in section 1.  It was out of love that He saved us (John 3:16, Romans 5:6-8, and 1 John 4:9-10).

You are given full grace
Beloved

The word “they” earlier indicates a separation of “us” vs. “them”, with “us” as people who repented and trusted in Jesus (Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:36-38, Acts 3:19-21, Acts 20:21, and 2 Timothy 2:25-26).

[Chorus 1]

Beloved it’s you I want more

That is, more than “they” because “we” repented and trusted.

Beloved it’s you I’m here for
Beloved I’d do anything for

“I’d do anything for you” is an idiom that means that one goes to great lengths for someone else.  It’s never meant to be taken literally.  See commentary on Verse 1, line 5.

Beloved don’t just leave at the door
Come back to Your Lord

That is, repent and trust (Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:36-38, Acts 3:19-21, Acts 20:21, and 2 Timothy 2:25-26).

[Verse 2]

Take me wherever you go
So all the world will come to know
The love between you and I
It’s more than just “saying I do”
It’s like the stars in the sky

We are to tell others about the awesomeness that is God’s love for us (Romans 10:14-15).

Your Love I will always choose
Beloved

Based on His timetable (2 Peter 3:9).

[Chorus 2]

Beloved it’s you I want more
Beloved it’s you I’m here for
Beloved I’d do anything for
Beloved don’t just leave at the door
Come back to Your Lord

Repeats Chorus 1.

[Bridge]

You were drowning in sin with no way to escape

Left to our own devices, we would have received eternal separation from God (Matthew 18:7-9, Matthew 25:41, Matthew 25:46, Mark 9:43, Romans 6:23, Jude 1:7, and Revelation 14:11).

My beloved needed rescue, so you called me by name

Those who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).  Bear in mind that genuine repentance is required, which was already addressed earlier.

My life, the sacrifice; my blood sealed my vow

Christ’s sacrifice paid for sins (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 9:15-26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9).

There’s power over death is alive in you now
The night is now over, a new day’s begun

We are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Walk by my Spirit in the victory won

As stated in Galatians 5:16.

[Chorus 3]

Beloved I want more of You
Beloved you know this is true

That is, more of Him in us and less of our sinful selves (John 3:30).

Beloved it’s you I died for
Beloved don’t just walk out the door
Come back to Your Lord
It’s you I’m here for

This is the final plea that is similar to Chorus 1, lines 4 and 5.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Unbelievers will likely conclude that the Lord, which is a reference to God, asks His followers to remember the reasons why He loves them and to come back.  They will also likely think that “adore” means “worship”, which, from their perspective, probably won’t make sense.

Also the word “sin” to them is more about mere bad things and not lawbreaking as Christians understand it.

Finally, this song contains a nice mixture of Christianese and everyday language.

Score: 7/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It brings glory to God when He shows His love to us through sacrifice, Truth, and not giving up on us when we falter.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Will and the Word Worship, Wilton McKinley Glenn (Maria Cress)’s Beloved is a love letter from God.  He implores us to come back, causing us to remember His sacrifice, our redemption, and the penalty for unbelief.  These bring Him glory.  Unbelievers should be able to interpret this song similarly.

As for corporate worship, I’m a bit torn over the word “adore”.  I realize that the artist meant “to love”, but I also have concerns about the pushback on this word, causing me to hesitate to recommend it.

Final Score: 9/10

Artist Info

Track: Beloved (listen to the song)

Artist: Will and the Word Worship, Wilton McKinley Glenn (Maria Cress)

Album: Will and the Word Worship

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2024

Duration: 5:26

Agree?  Disagree?  Don’t be shy or have a cow!  Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.

*Copyright © 2021 Wilton McKinley Glenn & Maria Cress (ASCAP). CCLI. All rights reserved.  Used with permission.