Rend Collective is quickly becoming a popular favorite for reviews, along with Lauren Daigle, Jesus Culture, and the reigning king Hillsong. Joining Rescuer (Good News) and Build Your Kingdom Here is their hit song My Lighthouse for my prying eyes and honest critique.

Hopefully, this one will be better.

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.

1. What message does the song communicate?

There are many themes described in these lyrics. The main theme is that God is a beacon of light, a fortress that defends, protects, and rescues us from our own doubts. Verse 3 specifically sets the context of the pronoun “You” throughout the lyrics with an explicit mention of God. Without it, we could have easily interpreted “You” to be a great leader, but not necessarily God.

Other themes include:

God is a leader and possesses great love.

He is peace and gives internal peace for those who ask for it.

He does not abandon His followers.

He possesses truth.

He rescues us.

Our response to God’s rescue is prayer, worship, trust, and to follow Him.

He is an all-consuming fire.

I have nothing critical to say about its message. Well done, Rend Collective!

Score: 10/10

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

All lines throughout this song are consistent with God’s Word.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]



In my wrestling and in my doubts

In my failures You won’t walk out

Verse 3 sets the context of “You” as God. Despite our actions, God promises not to leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 118:6 and Hebrews 13:5–6).

Your great love will lead me through

Throughout the Scriptures, God’s lovingkindness is shown throughout. Included in my sampling are Nehemiah 9:17, Psalm 17:7, Psalm 36:5-7, Psalm 63:3, Psalm 69:16, Psalm 117:2, Isaiah 54:8, John 3:16, John 13:34, John 15:13, Romans 5:6-8, Romans 8:37-39, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 2:4-5, Ephesians 5:25, Titus 3:4, 1 John 4:8, and 1 John 4:16-19 . Romans 5:6-8, in particular, is my go-to passage when speaking of God’s sacrificial love for us, enabling us to face any challenge.

You are the peace in my troubled sea, woah

You are the peace in my troubled sea

The peace described here is internal, speaking of the heart and soul of man (Matthew 11:28-30, John 14:27, John 16:33, 2 Corinthians 13:11, Philippians 4:6-7, Colossians 3:15, 2 Thessalonians 3:16, and James 3:17).

[Verse 2]



In the silence, You won’t let go

See commentary in Verse 1, lines 1 and 2.

In my questions, Your truth will hold

Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6) and testifies to the truth (John 1:14, John 1:17, and John 18:37) that we must seek out and know (Psalm 25:5, John 4:24 and John 8:31-32). We ought to handle the word of truth wich much care (2 Timothy 2:15), as directed by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). Ultimately, it will hold.

Your great love will lead me through

You are the peace in my troubled sea

You are the peace in my troubled sea

Repeats Verse 1, lines 3-5.

[Chorus]



My lighthouse, my lighthouse

In other words, God is Rend Collective’s refuge, stronghold, fortress, and shield. He is the defense to which Rend Collective appeals (Genesis 15:1, Deuteronomy 33:29, 2 Samuel 22:3, Psalm 3:3, Psalm 5:11, Psalm 12:5, Psalm 18:2, Psalm 20:1, Psalm 28:7, Proverbs 30:5, Psalm 33:20, Psalm 34:19, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 57:1, Psalms 59:1, Psalm 84:11, Psalm 89:18, Psalm 91:1-16, Psalm 115:9, Psalm 121:1-8, Psalm 140:4, Isaiah 41:10, 1 Corinthians 10:13, and 2 Thessalonians 3:3).

Shining in the darkness, I will follow You

Ah yes, the other function of a lighthouse, how could I miss that! A light that illuminates the darkness and shows the way to which the lost must go (Psalm 107:10-16, Luke 1:79, John 1:1-13, John 12:46, Ephesians 5:8, Colossians 1:13, and 1 Peter 2:9). Jesus calls for those who hear His voice to follow (John 5:25, John 10:1-27, Hebrews 3:7-19, and Revelation 3:20), a step that Rend Collective has evidently taken.

My lighthouse, my lighthouse

Repeats line 1.

I will trust the promise

You will carry me safe to shore

Safe to shore

Safe to shore

Safe to shore

The promise trusted is God’s rescue for those who ask. Put another way, those who call upon the name of the LORD will be saved (Romans 10:9-12).

[Verse 3]



I won’t fear what tomorrow brings

As spoken by Jesus Himself in Matthew 6:34.

With each morning I’ll rise and sing

Rend Collective, perhaps like Jesus in Mark 1:35, prays and shows devotion to the Father early in the morning, waiting for His response.

My God’s love will lead me through

Derivative of Verse 1, line 3.

You are the peace in my troubled sea

You are the peace in my troubled sea

Repeats Verse 1, lines 4 and 5.

[Bridge]



Fire before us, You’re the brightest

God is the consuming fire, a metaphor described in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Hebrews 12:29. He is the brightest because God is light (Psalm 27:1, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:130, Matthew 4:16, John 1:1-8, John 8:12, Ephesians 5:14, James 1:17, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 John 1:5-7, and Revelation 21:23).

You will lead us through the storms

See commentary in Verse 1, line 3.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Rend Collective uses everyday language easily understood by those who do not yet know Jesus. They should have no trouble drawing similar conclusions to my own analysis regarding its message.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

Many of the themes surrounding God are about His actions and character, signifying worship for those who sing. Such zeal for His Majesty obviously glorifies Him.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Rend Collective’s My Lighthouse is an excellent worship song. The clarity throughout each line brings a breath of fresh air to the recent critiques of my last reviews. Biblically accurate, Rend Collective brilliantly weaves together a Gospel message that is highly accessible to unbelievers, bringing glory to God.

Shout this one from the rooftops. Or from the lighthouses, as the case may be.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: My Lighthouse (listen to the song) (buy the song)

Artist: Rend Collective

Album: N/A

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2014

Duration: 3:44

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

*Copyright © 2013 Thankyou Music (PRS) (adm. worldwide at CapitolCMGPublishing.com excluding Europe which is adm. by Integrity Music, part of the David C Cook family. Songs@integritymusic.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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