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577

You Are Good

Scripture References

Further Reflections on Scripture References

Consult Psalms 34:8 for an exclamation about the goodness of God. But notice how it is amplified in Psalm 103:1-14, 97, 99, 100 and the refrain of Psalm 136.

Confessions and Statements of Faith References

Further Reflections on Confessions and Statements of Faith References

What we know as the attributes of God reveal his character and being. For these, he is worthy of praise and adoration. Even before he says or does anything, he is praise-worthy. The opening words of Belgic Confession, Article 1 declare that God is “eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, unchangeable, infinite, almighty; completely wise, just, and good, and the overflowing source of all good.”

 
The Lord’s Prayer ends with a doxology, and Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 52, Question and Answer 128 extrapolates: “Your holy name…should receive all the praise, forever.” After expressing our trust in the total care of God for all things, Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 9, Question and Answer 26 declares, “God is able to do this because he is Almighty God and desires to do this because he is a faithful Father.” And so we express our praise and adoration to God for who he is.

577

You Are Good

Tune Information

Name
YOU ARE GOOD
Key
F Major

Musical Suggestion

For Piano Accompaniment Only:
Refrain:
  • 1st time: play the right hand alto-soprano (larger) notes only. On the repeat, consider adding the top cue notes to the chord.
Repeats:
  • As with many contemporary songs, there are many repeats. Practice them, mark them, do whatever you need to so that you are confident when leading congregational singing. 
— Diane Dykgraaf
577

You Are Good

Hymn Story/Background

Israel Houghton could have been an abortion statistic. His mother got pregnant at age 17, a white woman carry a black man’s child in 1971. Her family told her to simply have the abortion and move on. She chose not to, and was cast out. A month before Israel was born, his mother and father split up. His mother was alone, far from home, and wandering the streets when a woman pulled up beside her and said, “I don’t know you, and I don’t want to give you a hard time, but I was driving by and I really felt that I needed to come tell you Jesus loves you. You’re not forgotten. You did the right thing. It’s going to be all right.” Israel’s mother gave her life to Jesus right then, and Israel was raised to believe in a God who is good and a God who is faithful. When asked about what he wants to do through worship, Israel says, “I want to give good news to people.” This song, like his many others, declares that good news to people “from every nation and tongue.”
— Laura de Jong

Author and Composer Information

When Israel Houghton (b. May 19, 1971) was 19, he was playing drums at church and the worship leaders asked him if he would lead that night. Not knowing anything about leading, he chose a few familiar songs and led them over and over again for the next few weeks, until someone told him, “You might want to find your own sound.” So Houghton wheeled his piano into the kitchen (the tiles made for a great acoustic) and would play and worship for hours on end. A black kid growing up in a white family in a church of predominantly Hispanics, Houghton is now known for his blend of cultural and musical styles. In 1995, he and his wife, Meleasa, formed the musical group New Breed Ministries. Houghton has won two Dove awards, has two gold-selling albums, and four Grammy awards.
— Laura de Jong

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