For more than two decades, Christian music icon Chris Tomlin has shaped the sound of modern worship, writing songs that have become church staples—anthems like “How Great Is Our God,” “Our God,” and the enduring declaration of faith in “Holy Forever,” which continues to unite generations in reverence and praise. His music has consistently drawn on Scripture, giving believers language for worship and reminding the global Church of God’s unchanging goodness.
His latest album, The King Is Still the King, continues that legacy, highlighted by songs such as “How Good It Is” and “Doesn’t He,” both crafted to bring congregations together in joyful, Scripture-rooted praise.
I spoke with Chris about “How Good It Is”—a vibrant, up-tempo declaration inspired by the Psalms that celebrates God’s faithfulness from morning to evening and calls believers everywhere to lift His name in unified worship.
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
We created this song as a joyful, up-tempo declaration of God's goodness, faithfulness, and the unity of believers. Much of my music is filled with God's word. I can tell you, I can go song by song through any of mine that's had a lasting impact over the years. I can tell you where the Scripture is in that and where it came out of that. It's what the Psalms do so well. They're our reference: our calls to worship. Like Psalm 92. What I love is that it says how good it is to sing praise to the most-high God. Think of His faithfulness in the morning, His love in the morning, and His faithfulness in the evening. Psalm 113 says that from the rising of the sun to the setting of the same, the name of the Lord will be praised. Psalm 100 says to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Psalm 92:1-2 (NIV): "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most-High God. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening.”
Psalm 100:4 (NIV): "Enter His gates with thanksgiving, go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name."
Psalm 113:3 (NIV): "Everywhere—from east to west—praise the name of the Lord."
Psalm 86:5 (NKJV): “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.”
Psalm 16:8 (NASB): “I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
Psalm 25:4-5 (NKJV): "Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You, I wait all the day."
Psalm 37:4-6 (NKJV): "Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday."
What is the takeaway message?
We aimed to create an anthem of praise that feels like a celebration, reminding listeners to praise God in both the morning and the evening. It's a song of celebration, a song of declaration of praise. The lyrics are not just about God, but are actually singing God's word back to Him, specifically proclaiming His goodness and faithfulness. We pray all those songs. That's what this song is.
Lyrics
Enter His gates with thanks Enter His courts with praise Bring Him a shout of joy Sing of His endless fame
For the Lord is good And His love endures His love endures forever We remember this We remember this
Oh, how good that it is to sing praise to the Lord Oh, how great is the Name above all Names From the rising of the morning sun To the setting of the same Oh, how good that it is to sing praise How good it is
Rivers will clap their hands Mountains will lift their song Even the rocks cry out Creation stands in awe Of the one who was And the one who is And the one who reigns forever We remember this We remember this
Oh, how good that it is to sing praise to the Lord Oh, how great is the name above all names From the rising of the morning sun To the setting of the same Oh, how good that it is to sing praise How good it is Oh, how good that it is to sing praise to the Lord Oh, how great is the name above all names
From the rising of the morning sun To the setting of the same And with every breath inside our lungs Forever we will sing Oh, how good that it is to sing praise Oh, how good that it is to sing praise How good it is
Closing Thoughts
“How Good It Is” is a great anthem of praise. Many of my favorite songs are rooted in the joy of the Psalms, and several songs from Chris Tomlin’s albums also carry that psalmist feel.
This song is about crying out for God's presence and desiring to know Him personally. Its enthusiasm and energy are infectious, and its message challenges us to confront our doubts and to trust in Jesus to overcome fear and death. So many people can relate to the message, and the song convicts me to know the biblical truth from the Psalms in my heart.
This song challenges me to know God more deeply and to have greater faith and security in my relationship with Him. Singing along with this song is a great way to cultivate the disciplines of self-examination and prayer. Worship is about giving God our best, offering ourselves to Him. That is a sweet aroma of praise. He created us to worship Him.
When we sing this song, we should do so in complete submission, making Jesus the Lord of our lives and directing every activity and thought to Him. We raise our hands to celebrate and surrender, confident in God's unfailing mercy and love.
God pours out His mercy despite what we've done, and there's nothing we can do except trust in His Son, Jesus. We can't earn heaven. Only through complete surrender to Jesus and putting our hope in Him can we be saved.
Let's strive to know God, and He will come to us. We have the privilege of knowing Him, and if you are a follower of Jesus, He lives in you and has made you His home. Have that childlike faith we are called to as believers, as expressed in this song.
God wants to walk beside you, and He wants us to be bold and unafraid. God wants us to know that He's faithful to complete what He's started in those who have put their hope and trust in Jesus. This song tells me that I don't want to waste any more time.
Sing along, “From the rising of the morning sun/To the setting of the same/And with every breath inside our lungs/Forever we will sing/Oh how good that it is to sing praise.” Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a passionate enthusiast and dedicated collector of Christian music. He believes the message of Christian music has deepened his understanding of Christ.
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