I reviewed O’Lord from Lauren Daigle’s album How Can It Be with a favorable score. Permit me to post again the main theme of this album:

“There’s a continuing theme on this record—trust,” says Daigle. “My heart’s cry is that people feel empowered as a body of Christ. It’s just heavy on my heart for all of us to rise up in unity and recognize the goodness of God. My hope is that people are empowered by knowing who they belong to, knowing that they are the son or daughter of God, and in response to that being able to worship fully, worship with complete abandon.”

Can she strike gold twice on the same album? Let’s find out!

Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Lauren-daigle-trust-in-you-lyrics.

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?

It is a song of surrender to the LORD. There is brokenness over sin and unwavering trust, regardless of circumstances.

Like in her song O’Lord, even though it does not explicitly mention the name of Jesus or God, there are enough breadcrumbs to think it’s talking about God rather than a boyfriend. In reference to “You”, Daigle describes this individual as the desire of her rest, a mighty warrior, a king, One who can move mountains and part waters, the source of her strength and comfort, and the solid rock; a foundation to which she stands.

Score: 9/10

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

Most of it does; however, some of the lyrics are vague. I also have a concern with the Chorus.

[Verse 1]

Lines 1 and 2: Describes personal sacrifice; the cost required to follow Jesus (see Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34-38, Mark 10:28, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:7-10, and 1 Peter 5:6).

Lines 3 and 4: These are are unclear. Is this a reference to God’s omniscience? If so, we can apply 1 Kings 8:39, 1 Chronicles 28:9, Psalm 44:21, Psalm 139:4, Psalm 147:4-5, Isaiah 40:28, Matthew 10:30, John 16:30 [reference to Jesus], John 21:17 [reference to Jesus], Acts 1:24, Hebrews 4:13, and 1 John 3:20. Also, what exactly does God see that doesn’t change? This is not addressed throughout the rest of the lyrics.

[Verse 2]

Line 1: Probably a reference to internal warfare. If so, we can find Scriptural support in Romans 7:21-25.

Line 2: Continuing the idea set forth in Verse 1, lines 1 and 2, Daigle alludes to Matthew 11:28-30, to which we can find rest in Jesus.

Lines 3 and 4: God’s presence is with us no matter what challenges we face (see Deuteronomy 31:6-8, Joshua 1:5-9, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 139:7-10, Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 23:23-24, Zephaniah 3:17, Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 28:20, John 14:16-17, Hebrews 13:5, Romans 8:38-39, and Revelation 3:20).

[Chorus]

Line 1: Daigle makes a demand of God rather than a request, though I do not believe this was her intent. She alludes to Matthew 17:20.

Line 2: A literal event in Exodus 14:21-22 turned into a figurative statement, much like the “giants” in our lives in reference to 1 Samuel 17. While this does not bother many people, my concern is that we can forget an actual event took place.

Line 3: Reminds me of Proverbs 25:2. God doesn’t owe us answers, yet, we should seek them out.

Also, I think of 2 Peter 3:9. The context of this passage is about Jesus’ second coming and God’s desire for all to repent before Jesus comes back. 2 Peter 3:3 sets the context. The larger picture is about God’s timing. It is perfect!

What about answers? When does God provide them? For example, “to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 13:10). I’m certain the Old Testament prophets thought about these things. Jesus says as much in Matthew 13:17. Yet, the Old Testament prophets trusted God despite not knowing the things about the Kingdom of God that was first revealed to 1st Century Jews. In the same way, despite our asking and not receiving answers, we can still trust in God. That is the heart of what I believe Daigle attempts to communicate.

I can’t help but think about Psalm 22 when it comes to lack of answers and crying out to God. Particularly verse 2. How David must have felt that God was so distant, yet, knowing that God was near. I think it takes a deep, personal relationship with God to say something that bold. To your point, an unbeliever will not comprehend this without experiencing this intimacy with our Heavenly Father. You may be correct, that a God who doesn’t answer them will seem distant. They lack a relationship with Him.

Line 4: See 1 Corinthians 16:13, 2 Corinthians 1:24, Ephesians 6:11, Philippians 1:27, Philippians 4:1, Colossians 1:23, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Hebrews 3:6, Hebrews 3:14, Hebrews 4:14, Hebrews 6:11, Hebrews 10:23, and 1 Peter 5:9.

[Verse 3]

Lines 1 and 2: Refers to God’s omniscience (see 1 Kings 8:39, 1 Chronicles 28:9, Psalm 44:21, Psalm 139:4, Psalm 147:4-5, Isaiah 40:28, Matthew 10:30, John 16:30, John 21:17, Acts 1:24, Hebrews 4:13, and 1 John 3:20).

Lines 3 and 4: Continuing the theme of surrender, Daigle has now given up her freewill, aligning it with God’s (see Matthew 10:38, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34-38, Mark 10:28, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27, John 15:1-11, Romans 6:13, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:7-10, and 1 Peter 5:6).

[Bridge]

Lines 1-7: The entire bridge describes several attributes of God, including:

Strong (Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 22:19, Psalm 28:7-8, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 118:14, Psalm 119:28, Isaiah 12:2, Isaiah 33:2, Isaiah 40:29-31, Habakkuk 3:19, Matthew 11:28-30, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Ephesians 3:16, Ephesians 6:10, and Philippians 4:13);

Gives comfort (Psalm 23:4, Psalm 71:21, Psalm 119:50-52, Psalm 119:76, Psalm 119:82, Isaiah 51:3, Isaiah 57:18, Isaiah 61:2, Isaiah 66:13, Zechariah 1:17, Matthew 5:4, Matthew 11:28-30, and 2 Corinthians 1:3-7)

Immutable (Numbers 23:19, Psalm 33:11, Psalm 102:25-27, Isaiah 43:10, Isaiah 46:10, Malachi 3:6, Romans 11:29, Hebrews 6:17, Hebrews 13:8, and James 1:17),

Foundational (Deuteronomy 32:4, 1 Samuel 2:2, 2 Samuel 22:47, Psalm 18:31, Psalm 28:1, Psalm 62:2, Psalm 94:22, Psalm 118:22, Isaiah 28:16, Matthew 7:24-27, Matthew 21:42, Acts 4:11, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, Ephesians 2:20, 2 Timothy 2:19, and 1 Peter 2:6),

Incomprehensible thoughts (Psalm 40:5, Psalm 92:5, and Isaiah 55:8-9),

Good plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11 and Ephesians 2:10); and

Omniscience (1 Kings 8:39, 1 Chronicles 28:9, Psalm 44:21, Psalm 139:4, Psalm 147:4-5, Isaiah 40:28, Matthew 10:30, John 16:30, John 21:17, Acts 1:24, Hebrews 4:13, and 1 John 3:20).

[Outro]

Repeats line 4 of the Chorus.

Score: 8/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Much like in O’Lord, although the name of Jesus and God are absent, there’s enough in the lyrics to understand that it’s from a Christian background as opposed to a “Jesus is my boyfriend” type of song.

Score: 9/10

4. What does this song glorify?

God’s glory through steadfast trust in Him.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Lauren Daigle’s Trust in You fits the theme that she is attempting to portray. Though some of the lyrics are vague, the majority is biblically accurate. She brings glory to God with a great message about her unshakable faith regardless of her circumstances.

Final score: 9/10

Artist Info

Track: Trust in You (listen to the song) (buy the song)

Artist: Lauren Daigle

Album: How Can It Be (buy the album)

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2015

Duration: 3:31

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

Updates:

02/21/2020 – After a lengthy discussion with commenter Val, I added clarification to Chorus, line 3. This did not affect my rating.

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