Grace Alone
Song Review
Written By: Dustin Kensrue
Release Date: August 14, 2012
Lyrics pulled from Grace Alone in F# (marshill.info)
Up front impression is that this is a great song for corporate worship. Though many recorded versions of this song are too quick for congregational singing, it can easily be slowed down or rearranged to suit the needs of any church. The richness of the lyrics is unique and this song has been proof, used by myself, that it is possible to be new and theologically robust.
References to the Trinity:
There are two ways of viewing the arrangement of this song. Either there are three verses or two verses and a bridge, but those only change how you listen to the song musically and not lyrically. If we assume a three-verse method as written, what you get then are three distinct verses, each projected to a different Person of the Trinity. Additionally, the choruses only functionally musically and not lyrically, as each chorus serves as another verse of the Trinity. As I will detail the message specifically in the Gospel portion, it is important to note that Kensrue identifies each member of the Trinity distinctly and their relationship not with just each other, but with us. There is a personal aspect to the song that we attribute to hymns such as “Amazing Grace,” where we are allowed to be a part of the story, though we are not the story itself.
In each verse and chorus pair of the song, the relations to the accomplishment and works are acknowledged in the other of Father, Son, and Spirit. This is reflective of Scripture also, where though not separate, each portion of history builds up in successive order. The lyrics of the song are so connected with Scripture without also being heavily droning on with a language that we may not understand. There is no reference to an “Ebenezer” or a “bulwark,” but there isn’t a dumbing down of thoughts where we just say “love” forty-seven times in a row.
Gospel Message:
The gospel message is complete in this song. The first verse looks to the Father, who sits on the throne and righteously rules and accomplishes His will. Though He is otherworldly and separate, it is imperative that “[He] loved me still.” It is this love that caused creation with the intent of electing us above where we deserve, so that we are His children, solely done by grace alone. It is indicative of how transcendental God is, yet, also, how personal He is. All this is accomplished not by anything we do, but through grace.
The second verse looks to the Son, Jesus, who willingly went to the cross for the purpose of paying our debts caused by sin. While we tried as we may, there was nothing that we were able to accomplish, and the Son had to depart from His rightful place so that we may be redeemed to salvation and take the place as the Father willed. All by grace.
The final verse, or bridge and chorus, is the final member of the Trinity, not in value, but in description. It is the Spirit who opens our eyes to the truth and who renews our hearts so that we may observe Christ’s work and grace upon us. It is the Spirit who sealed us as citizens in the new kingdom and that which cannot and will not fall.
Overall:
This song isn’t just good, I believe it is a requirement that any worship pastor worth their weight should consider this song for their congregation. This is not to say that you must do it, as the needs of the congregation are diverse and plenty. Rather, if you are looking for “new” songs and have the capability of playing them, then this isn’t one to be passed on. Lyrically, this one could effectively make its way into the hymnal book, if it wasn’t arranged in the musical styling it currently sits at.