Steven Curtis Chapman recently released his first-ever worship music album. I’ve been a fan of his since I was in high school, but in more recent years as I stopped listening to a lot of the newer Christian music, he kind of fell off my radar. I don’t remember how his worship album came on my screen, but as I listened to the album, I was particularly struck by this song. He wrote it together with Matt Maher, an exercise of hope, in community.

“Hallelujah, You are Good” is a song of honesty and hope that has become a helpful place for me to reconnect with the Lord on the days when it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Knowing Steven Curtis Chapman’s story of tragic loss, I trust that he knows just how hard it is to say this – and also how necessary for the sake of both sanity and peace. He has recorded a video telling the background to writing this song, and I’ve included it below. The first video is the song itself; the second video is the story. I hope it encourages you today.

Hallelujah, You Are Good

We are standing in between hope and despair,
Believing in your grace and the faith to declare:

“You are with us.
Hallelujah.
Hallelujah, you are good.”

In the ashes and the dust, the sorrow and pain,
Lies the promise of your Word and the power of your Name.

You are with us.
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah, you are good.

And when faith gives way to fear,
I will trust Your heart;
I will trust Your heart.
When I cannot feel you near,
I will trust Your heart;
I will trust Your heart.

There’s a message being written with a morning sun
And a new song for the broken:
Death has lost! Love has won!

You are with us!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah, You are good.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, You are good!

Hallelujah (I have tasted)
Hallelujah (I have seen it)
Hallelujah, You are good.
Hallelujah (I remember)
Hallelujah (I believe it)
Hallelujah, You are good.

You are with us,
Hallelujah (Hallelujah)
Hallelujah, You are good.