Speaking about his new album title Need, his fourth album for Ardent Records/INO, Todd Agnew says, “Once we finished recording this record, I looked back at it trying to find the theme running throughout. I started to realize how much of this project is about need. My need to be loved. My need for answers. My need for assurance. Our need to worship. Our need to be rescued, redeemed, restored. I noticed that God has been teaching me all year that all of my needs are met in Jesus.”

Much has happened since listeners last heard from Agnew as the singer/songwriter married early last year. I got the great opportunity to interview Todd Agnew about “Joy Unspeakable.” You can listen to our entire discussion here.

Please tell me the story behind writing the song “Joy Unspeakable.”

I wanted to write a song expressing my gratitude for everything God has given me. I found an old hymn that I used for the verses. I have found that there is a joy that runs through marriage, even in times of sorrow. The same goes with my relationship with God. There is joy and peace in my relationship with my wife and with God. I got married in February of 2008, so there was a great deal of joy added to my life through this amazing gift God had given me. Now, being over a year into it, I know that it’s not all easy and fun, some of life is still quite difficult. But what I have found is that joy runs through it all, and that is God’s plan for His bride as well. The strength, the comfort and the joy that comes from our relationship with Him is ever present, even in our troubled times. That is a joy that I do not have words to describe.

Did you lean on any Bible verses while writing this song?

Luke 10:38-42: 38As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.

How can listeners apply that message in their walks as Christians when they listen to the song?

The picture of Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus is a true and powerful picture of marriage. I have a tendency to want to do things for my wife and serve her, like Martha. What she really wants from me is my time. God wants the same thing from us, His bride the Church. God’s grace doesn’t depend on our service and what we do for Him. He wants the gift of our time. He wants us to sit as His feet and be with Him.

Here are the lyrics:

I’ve found his grace is all complete,
He supplies my every need,
While I sit and learn at Jesus’ feet,
I am free indeed.

What kind of joy is this?

It’s joy unspeakable: all you’ve done for me,
It’s indescribable, just a taste of your glory,
And it’s unnatural not to tell the story of all you’ve given me,
My words are incomplete,
It’s joy unspeakable.

I’ve found the pleasure I once craved,
It’s joy and peace within, within,
What a wondrous blessing,
I am saved from the awful gulf of sin.

It’s joy unspeakable: all you’ve done for me,
It’s indescribable, just a taste of your glory,
It’s unnatural not to tell the story of all you’ve given me,
My words are incomplete.

I’ve found the joy no tongue can tell,
How its waves of glory roll,
It is like an overflowing well,
Springing up within my soul.

It’s joy unspeakable: all you’ve done for me,
It’s indescribable, just a taste of your glory,
And it’s unnatural not to tell the story of all you’ve given me,
My words are incomplete,
It’s joy unspeakable.

Joy unspeakable,
What kind of joy is this?

The picture of Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus is a true and powerful picture of marriage. As we celebrate Jesus coming to earth to save us this Christmas season, don’t forget to give Jesus the gift He wants most of all: our time. He wants us to sit as His feet and be with Him. Don’t get caught up in all the craziness of this season, especially the commercial aspects of the shopping and parties. Make sure you give your time to Jesus. God’s blessings are better than any works that we can do; His grace brings a joy unspeakable if you spend time with Him.

You can listen to the song here.