Hymns: Goodness of God

For a while, I’ve been trying to familiarize myself with modern Christian worship songs. Some years ago, modern for me meant 1970s and 1980s songs. But I realize that there’s quite a few over the past decade that I’m only learning now. I don’t play music in church anymore, but I like to play songs at home. I thought it would be nice to look at the lyrics of Goodness of God. I’m not going to analyze everything, just give a brief thought on how I view the lyrics.

Here are two versions of Goodness of God. It’s lovely to see the kids singing it, but maybe it suits an older person more, someone who’s looking back at a long life.

Fun Facts

Well, maybe the facts aren’t much fun, but it makes a good heading 😀.

• The song was officially released on November 1, 2019 as part of Bethel Music’s album Victory.
• The lyrics echo verses like Psalm 23:6, Lamentations 3:22-23, and Romans 8:28, emphasizing God’s goodness and faithfulness.
• As of 2025, “Goodness of God” ranked #1 on CCLI’s most-used worship songs list, showing its enduring popularity in churches worldwide

You can view the lyrics here. The word goodness has various shades of meaning. In this context, it means that God has shown kindness, generosity and faithfulness. Does this mean that those who sing it are thanking God for a wonderful life, where God always came in and solved all their problems?

Many people have had a very tough and painful life. Look at all the great heroes of the Bible. Was life easy for them? Think of Joseph, Moses, David, Jeremiah, Jesus himself, and the Apostles. I think that it’s a song of faith. We trust in God’s goodness through all that life throws at us. We believe that he has our best interests at heart. At times, things do go well, and we express our delight and thankfulness. But even when they don’t, we know that God is at work. He knows exactly what he’s doing when he allows challenges to come our way. And if we have repented and trusted in him, we are adopted into his family. We are his sons and daughters. Three passages in the New Testament bring all this home to me

Matt 10:26
 ²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. ³⁰ And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Romans 8:28 and 31
²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose….³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Ephesians 1:11
¹¹ In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,

One part of the song that seems peculiar is where she sings “Your goodness is running after me.” It’s a reminder that we’re never away from God’s attention. Wherever we go, God follows us. Our course, God is everywhere, so he doesn’t need to follow us. It’s just an expression. I think of the father of the prodigal son running out to meet him. God is enthusiastic about us.

To close, let me mention Joseph in the Old Testament. Many people know him from the Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat musical, but you can read about him in the Book of Genesis, chapters 37 through 50. His jealous brothers sold him into slavery. He was brought to Egypt and eventually rose to became hugely influential. In the end, he welcomed his brothers who had to flee to Egypt to escape famine. And when they realized what had become of Joseph, they were terrified. Surely he would take his revenge. They hoped to be his slaves rather than be executed. But this is what he said to them:

Genesis 50:20
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

You do get many Psalms where people cry out to God and wonder what he’s up to. And I don’t think that there’s anything wrong with pouring out how we feel to God. But when we can, we should celebrate God’s goodness.