This episode’s song is “Goodness of God” sung by CeCe Winans; however, many artists have recorded this song. It was originally recorded and sung by Jenn Johnson and Bethel Music. Jenn Johnson wrote the song together with a team, but she is responsible for the original song idea. She composed the song around the time of her son’s adoption, while driving on a country road and reflecting on God’s faithfulness and kindness. This song idea was born, and she recorded some of it on her phone. This is an award-winning song; the Bethel Music version won a Dove Music Award in 2020 in the category of “Song of the Year”. The song has also topped the Billboard and other music charts.

The message of the song is to express gratitude and praise to God for His faithfulness, goodness, mercy, and kindness through life’s many ups and downs. The lyrics also convey a message of reliance on God and surrender to His plan for one’s life.

Let’s have a look at the scriptures behind some of the lyrics. See the complete lyrics here.

Psalm 23:6 – “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;…” is reflected in the very first verse of the song:

“I love You, Lord, for Your mercy never failed me
All my days
I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing
Of the goodness of God”

Psalm 23:6 is also reflected in the lyric:
“’Cause Your goodness
Is running after
It’s running after me.”

This lyric also ties in with the Bible verse:

Exodus 33:19 NKJV – “Then He said, ‘I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”

Psalm 146:2 – “While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.” NKJV speaks to the lyrics,

“With every breath
That I am able
Oh, I will sing
Of the goodness of God…”

The lyrics:
“And all my life, You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.”
encapsulates Psalm 59:16 – “But as for me, I will sing of Your mighty strength and power;
Yes, I will sing joyfully of Your lovingkindness in the morning;
For You have been my stronghold
And a refuge in the day of my distress.” Amplified Bible

The word “Lovingkindness”, is one of my very favourite words in the Bible. It is a beautiful word. It gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling whenever I ponder on that word – God’s lovingkindness. It just sums up for me the kind of God that we serve.

Psalm 150:6 NKJV says: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” That verse is once again reiterated in the lyrics: “With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God. “

Lamentations 3:22-23 speaks of God’s faithfulness, “How enduring is God’s love; the Eternal has inexhaustible compassion. Here they are every morning, new! Your faithfulness, God, is as broad as the day.” and that is reflected in the chorus: “’Cause all my life You have been faithful…”

Isaiah 6:8 says: “Here I am, send me,” and that surrender is a huge part of the message of this song as it is reflected in: “With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything…”

And the last scripture verses we are going to look at in this episode are Psalm 139:1-10 KJV “….And Your right hand shall hold me.” This is echoed in the lyrics: “I’ve been held in your hands.”

This song has been received with such zeal across countries and continents and resonates with so many of us, because undoubtedly, we have all experienced God’s faithfulness and His goodness and mercy in our lives.

Listen here to the “Goodness of God” song on Spotify.

Today’s featured hymn is “Great is the Faithfulness” by Thomas O. Chisholm (1923), which ties into today’s theme of God’s faithfulness and goodness.

1. Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;
   There is no shadow of turning with thee.
   Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
   As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

Chorus:
Great is thy faithfulness,
Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning, new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness,
Lord unto me.

2. Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
   Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
   Join with all nature in manifold witness
   To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Chorus

3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
   Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
   Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
   Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside.

This “Goodness of God” tote bag is available from my shop, Charitymart. A portion of all proceeds in my shop goes towards supporting charities in South Africa.