Bethel Music is the worship group of Bethel Church in Redding, California. Their anthems are sung by churches worldwide. Many of their leaders are well-known Christian artists like Cody Carnes, Brandon Lake, and Kari Jobe. Beyond the fame, though, there are hearts desperate for the Lord's presence. It is this dedication that has fueled hits such as "King of My Heart," "No Longer Slaves," and "It Is Well."
While these classic songs remain remarkable, I will delve deeper into the team's recent releases in this article. The songs' lyrics also evoke deep emotions as they traverse new landscapes (their most recent album, Come Up Here, was recorded in a gorgeous forest setting). The song "Love for the Lord" may be familiar, but their passion funneled into music never gets old. I hope you can witness some of this anointing while reading this article.
"Raise a Hallelujah"
"I'm gonna sing in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you're gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the King is alive"
My most adored lyric from this song is "My weapon is a melody." Could you let that sink in? No shields, swords, or physical violence are needed in this spiritual battle—just enough trust in the Lord to lift your voice and worship Him.
I don't say that to try and diminish the task to that of an easy throwaway to-do. However, I do know that fighting a battle against temptation is far easier when God is on your side. There is hope because victory is found in Jesus. It may sound redundant from church sermons past, but God has already won. And as Jonathan and Melissa Helser sing in this melody of their own, "Death is defeated, the King is alive."
"Goodness of God"
"And all my life, You have been faithful
And all my life, You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God"
Contemporary worship artist Jenn Johnson leads this song with an unparalleled conviction that God, who has come through before, will come around again. These simple lyrics make it easy to sing along before the first listening time is over.
When we are in the depth of a difficult situation, it can be so easy to assume the light is flickering. We move around in our sorrowful emotions, blocking out the light. But it still needs to be steady. Of course, in this metaphor, the light is Jesus, humanity's bright and everlasting hope. I promise you that no matter how far you run and despite the sins you are yet to commit, He remains the same. His goodness will never fail. Whenever you feel it is flickering, please pray. God is incredible at grounding our faith when we need it the most.
"Too Good to Not Believe"
"And I can't resurrect a man with my own hands
But just the mention of Your name can raise the dead
All the glory to the only One who can
Jesus, it's You, Jesus, it's You"
There's a key reason the live version of this song is one of my most often-played videos on YouTube. The declarations in these lyrics, accented by Brandon Lake's incredible testimonies while leading it, are awe-worthy.
Bethel has done something special with this anthem, not just because of its strong words. Even better is the confidence with which the leaders sing out those manifestations of God's grace. I encourage you to watch the live video below and see this moment yourself.
"Revival's in the Air"
"Oh, lift your eyes to see
He's better than you dreamed
And everything you lost
Love's returning"
This song holds a special place in my heart—mainly because of the stunning string arrangements woven throughout the composition. The soaring melodies and intricate harmonies of the strings can lift my heart like no other sound can.
I often find myself closing my eyes and letting the beautiful melody of this tune wash over me as I listen through my earbuds. It's as if the music envelops me in a warm embrace, and I can't help but feel overwhelmed by the love of Jesus. Although I know I'm not yet to heaven, where I can see Him face-to-face, having the cozy feeling of being loved is enough for the time being. Simply believing that love endures, even when my faith in that love is at its weakest, is enough for me to find comfort and peace in the present moment.I pray peace over everyone reading this. May you see that Jesus is enough for you.
"Beauty"
"Angels cry out this unending song
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
We all bow down in wonder and awe
Forever we will sing of Your beauty"
My favorite part of the song is the chorus due to its simplicity. Featured musician David Funk sings "Oh, You're beautiful" repeatedly, and each time I hear it, I am struck by his authenticity. So often, I hear, "Your worship at church should be an extension of that at home," but I know firsthand how difficult that is actually to live out. Because sometimes, my worship at home looks like praising Jesus with the exact words repeatedly, often "I love you" or "Thank you, Lord." I don't see anything special about it until He reminds me that no one praises Him as I do.
While God loves everyone, it's important to recognize that He will never be worshiped in the same way by any two individuals. This truth not only makes me feel deeply cherished in a way that I could never fully express, but it also provides an opportunity for us to cultivate a sense of confidence and freedom in our unique approaches to worshiping God. No one worships like you. That means no matter what it looks like, as long as your heart is for Jesus, He adores your song. I deeply admire the application of this message in "Beauty;" the lyrics don't have to be fancy, and the melodies don't have to encompass every riff ever created. The heart of Bethel is for Jesus, and this song reflects that in a wonderfully pure form.
Selena Schulz is NRT’s youngest staff contributor. She loves God, music, reading, and writing.
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