Goodness of God

Dear Subscribers,

We hope this email finds you well and filled with the goodness of God! In this month's edition of the "Word Made Music" newsletter, we are excited to shine a spotlight on the song "Goodness of God" by Jenn Johnson from Bethel Music. Click here to listen to the song.

Summary

Ranking System:

Lyric Type: Poetic - Inspirational - Reflective - Doctrinal

Biblical Accuracy: Dangerous - Questionable - Ambiguous - Spiritual - Biblical

Musicality: Easy - Moderate - Advanced - Expert

In this month's issue, we delve deep into the lyrical and spiritual aspects of "Goodness of God." The song's reflective lyrics invite us to ponder the incredible goodness of our Creator. It resonates with our souls and encourages us to worship and praise Him for His unwavering love and faithfulness.

Our analysis includes:

- Pros and cons of the songs lyrics and their alignment with the Bible.

- The theological themes of worship, praise, and gratitude found in the song.

- The musicality behind the song and what it takes to play it well.

- Insights from the artist about the inspiration behind "Goodness of God."

Lyric Type (Inspirational)

Cons:

• The lyrics can sound a little more ambiguous and open to much interpretation.

• It is more self-focused which could make it more difficult for some to sing truthfully.

Pros:

• The lyrics are great for those that have just come out of a difficult situation in which God has seen them through it.

• It’s very anthemic and is able to be sung in a group setting.

• It is a very positive message and is very encouraging and inspiring.

• Provides the listener with the ability to reflective on God’s goodness in his/her own life.

Biblical Accuracy (Spiritual)

The song subtly draws upon various biblical narratives and concepts, steering clear of direct quotations from scriptures. For instance, it creatively reimagines Psalm 23:6, which declares, 'Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.' In 'Goodness of God,' the lyrics ingeniously reinterpret this verse, portraying God's goodness actively 'running after' us. This portrayal underscores the exceptional nature of God's faithfulness, extending even to moments when our human imperfections lead us to be less consistently faithful to Him. Life sometimes evokes the feeling that God is in pursuit, particularly when we acknowledge His use of means of grace to reach us. However, caution is necessary not to portray God as someone desperate for our attention. While His love for us is immense, and He desires a relationship with us, He doesn't need us. Understanding this fact should deepen our gratitude as we grasp the essence of the gospel. Describing God's goodness as “running after us” might unintentionally imply a sense of neediness on God's part for our attention. In reality, God simply paves a way for us to perceive Him more clearly through His grace.

A helpful perspective is to consider the father in the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. The father didn't rush after his son when he left to forge his own path; he ensured there was always a place for him if the son chose to return. He did run towards the son when he finally came home after much turmoil and pain, offering a truly accurate depiction of how God is with us.

The essence of the song captures the idea that God's unwavering love and faithfulness might seem as though He tirelessly pursues us, especially when we reflect on His faithfulness despite our sins and shortcomings. This concept aligns with Jenn Johnson's intention in crafting the song. However, the interpretation may be intricate due to the somewhat ambiguous lyrics, requiring deeper reflection for a comprehensive understanding. This lyrical complexity adds a layer of depth to comprehend the relationship between God's goodness and His faithfulness.

Theological Themes (Worship and Praise)

This song prompts contemplation on God's goodness, urging individuals to praise and glorify Him. It achieves this by employing the vehicle of personal testimony in a manner that resonates with most Christians. The listener is inspired to vocalize and celebrate God's goodness, lifting their voice in worship.

When should we sing this song?

“Goodness of God” would be best paired with a verse that talks about God’s goodness like Psalm 23:6 or explaining God’s faithfulness towards like the father in the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. It would be a good song to sing when preparing a setlist based on the theme of gratitude. It is a song that works very well in a corporate setting.

Musicality (Moderate)

We assigned this song a moderate rating for its musicality primarily due to the intricate chord progressions interwoven between the lines in both the verse and chorus. Notably, the chords elegantly descend at the conclusion of each verse and chorus, lending the song a distinctive and captivating musicality.

Moreover, the entire album to which this song belongs carries a distinct Southern folk ambiance. This unique characteristic may present a slight challenge for musicians more accustomed to mainstream contemporary Christian music commonly heard on the radio.

For aficionados of southern folk ballads, this song presents a thrilling prospect. With its distinctive southern folk ambiance, it serves as a perfect backdrop for soulful pentatonic guitar licks and solos. Incorporating a slide further enhances the immersive folk tone.

Behind the Song

The song was written about Jenn’s process in adopting her fourth child, Ryder Moses. She wrote the song while driving down a dirt road and singing into her phone the lyrics to the now popular worship song. Her goal is for the song to help make others aware of the need for adoption and to give everyone the courage to adopt in light of God’s goodness and faithfulness.

According to www.newreleasetoday.com Jenn had this to say about her song:

Fresh Find: CalledOut Music

Samuel 'CalledOut Music' Nwachukwu is a music producer, singer/songwriter & multi-instrumentalist from Hampshire England. Growing up in Nigeria, he and his family moved to the Uk when he was 12 years old. He began playing the piano at church age 7, after his father bought him a keyboard and he was sparkled with creativity ever since, working as music director in various churches in the Uk.

CalledOut Music divided his time between writing hundreds of songs in his bedroom and his education and after many years of producing original songs for musicals and featuring on other artists songs, he decided to embark on a solo music career, releasing his first single ‘Working On Me’ on his 21st birthday, signaling the beginning of CalledOut Music.

A devout Christian, Samuel’s diverse music strongly reflects his belief in Jesus, addresses issues people face whilst sharing the good news of the Gospel. Although he shares an admiration for many Gospel greats such as Fred Hammond and Richard Smallwood, CalledOut Music’s greatest musical influence is Kirk Franklin.

He started the Gospel ministry 'Called Out' with the aim to 'get everyone to have the belief or mindset that they are called out for service to God'. 

Community Highlights: Share Your Thoughts

We encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences with "Goodness of God." How has this song impacted your life? Do you have a favorite line or verse that resonates with you? Your feedback and testimonials are invaluable to us.

Get in Touch

If you have any feedback, suggestions, or questions about this issue or if there's a specific Christian song you'd like us to feature in a future edition, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Thank you for being a part of the "Word Made Music" community. Together, we'll continue to explore the profound connection between music and faith.

Blessings,

Thomas Brown

Founder of Word Made Music