It’s everyone’s favorite time again, where I review yet another Hillsong song! Even When It Hurts (Praise song) will be the latest entry on the roster, potentially joining top trending reviews such as Oceans, Who You Say I Am, and So Will I.

Do you remember which was my first Hillsong review? It was What a Beautiful Name, my second review since starting this site. I noticed a ton of grammatical errors too, the ugly side of running my own site without a second pair of eyes to proofread.

Anyhoo, enough about my reminiscing. You didn’t come here for The Berean Test trivia. So, let’s get crackin’.

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?

The singer will praise “You” no matter what, requesting cleansing from their shattered heart and soiled works. The latter portion showing up in Verse 1 is the only hint we have that God is the recipient of praise, but only through a prior understanding of the Gospel message.

A major missing element is reasons why we praise God. If we’re going to take the time to shower Him with worship, we should also to tell Him why.

On a more positive note, Hillsong cleverly wove in choral repetition with slightly altered lyrics, an excellent practice to instill uniqueness to each line. It helps to emphasize their message, much like Paul’s listings in his epistles, particularly reminiscent of Romans 8:31-39. I love seeing that in lyrics. I was also happy about specific obstacles to overcome, adding depth to their message.

Score: 7/10

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

While some portions are Biblical, the end of Verses 1 and 2 are problematic. Also, as mentioned in section 1, Hillsong fails to explain their motive for adoration.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]



Take this fainted heart

References the deceitful heart in Jeremiah 17:9.

Take these tainted hands

The sum of human righteousness is bloody menstrual rags, thrown away and forgotten (Isaiah 64:6).

Wash me in Your love

Probably a reference to Psalm 51:2-12, King David’s request to God for purification after committing adultery with Bathsheba.

Come like grace again

I don’t like the way this is worded. Grace means undeserved favor. This is what He grants to those who ask for it (Romans 10:9-12 and Ephesians 2:8-9). So, to ask God to come like undeserved favor seems to ask for something comparable to what God already offers, though I am not sure what. Furthermore, the word again implies that it’s occurred in the past, compounding the issue.

[Chorus 1]



Even when my strength is lost

I’ll praise You

Even when I have no song

I’ll praise You

Even when it’s hard to find the words

Louder then I’ll sing Your praise

This reminds me of two things: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 and the end part of that scene in Facing the Giants. Yes, I am aware of the horrendous acting, but I can’t help but think about it.

Unfortunately, Hillsong does not explain their rationale for such devotion. Why are they praising God? If we’re going to praise Him, we should at least explain why.

[Interlude]



I will only sing Your praise

I will only sing Your praise

I will only sing Your praise

Derivative of Chorus 1, line 6.

[Verse 2]



Take this mountain weight

Take these ocean tears

Probably a reference to Matthew 11:28-30.

Hold me through the trial

A prayer for sustenance while facing an obstacle.

Come like hope again

Once, again, I dislike the wording. Hope is something God already offers (Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 33:20, Psalm 39:7, Psalm 62:5, Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 11:28-30, Romans 5:1-8, Romans 8:24-39, Romans 15:13, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58, and 1 Peter 1:3-6). Why compare it to some other things that God brings, and to ask for it again?

[Chorus 2]



Even when the fight seems lost

I’ll praise You

Even when it hurts like hell

I’ll leave it up to the listener to sing line 3 or not. I appreciate the honesty in their use of language, though I understand it will offend some. I believe God will also appreciate the honesty also, if that’s how you feel at the moment and want to tell Him that. Personally, if I were singing this, I will not sing the “like hell” portion; However, I won’t deduct points because of it.

Also, See commentary in Chorus 1.

I’ll praise You

Even when it makes no sense to sing

Louder then I’ll sing Your praise

See commentary in Chorus 1.

[Bridge]



And my heart burns only for You

You are all You are all I want

And my soul waits only for You

That is, God is the most important thing (Exodus 20:3 and Luke 14:26 [“hate” meaning “to love less”]).

And I will sing till the morning has come

Most likely, contextualizes the entire song as taking place at night, singing until the sunrise. A common practice for Christ followers is to get up early in the morning to pray. Jesus left this as an example in Mark 1:35.

Lord my heart burns only for You

You are all You are all I want

And my soul waits only for You

And I will sing till the miracle comes

Repeats lines 1-4 with a slight derivative in line 5.

[Chorus 3]



Even when the morning comes

I’ll praise You

Even when the fight is won

I’ll praise You

Even when my time on earth is done

Louder then I’ll sing your praise

See commentary in Chorus 1.

[Outro]



I will only sing Your praise

Repeats Interlude, line 1.

Score: 6/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

As mentioned in section 1, Verse 1 provides the only hint that God is the recipient of praise. If an unbeliever does not understand this, a boyfriend interpretation can come easy. Of course, this becomes much more difficult when sung inside church context; However, the lack of attributes and clear pointers to God opens the door to wildly different views.

Score: 3/10

4. What does this song glorify?

Praising God certainly glorifies Him; However, the aforementioned issues significantly compromise it.

Score: 6/10

Closing Comments

Overall, I was not pleased with Hillsong’s Even When It Hurts. While its message of praising God irrespective of circumstances is a worthy message, with poetic imagery and cunning choral repetition, the lack of clarity pointing to God is a major hurdle for unbelievers. It contains wording that leads to probable error and lacks reasons to praise Him, hindering God’s glory from shining through.

Sorry folks, I can’t recommend this one at church.

Final Score: 5.5/10

Artist Info

Track: Even When It Hurts (Praise Song) (listen to the song)

Artist: Hillsong United

Album: Empires

Genre: Pop

Release Year: 2015

Duration: 6:18

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

*Copyright © 2015 Hillsong Music Publishing (APRA) (adm. in the US and Canada at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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