Photo by Evie S.
Audrey Assad is an American artist whose career began in 2002. She released six albums and four EP’s, including:
- Firefly (EP, 2008)
- The House You’re Building (2010)
- For Love of You (EP, 2010)
- iTunes Live from SoHo (2011)
- Heart (2012)
- Fortunate Fall (2013)
- O Happy Fault (EP, 2014)
- Death Be Not Proud (EP, 2014)
- Inheritance (2016)
- Evergreen (2018)
She recently deconverted from Christianity.
Also, check out my reviews of I Shall Not Want and Good to Me.
Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Audrey-assad-lead-kindly-light-lyrics.
Side Note: Much of the lyrics draw heavily inspiration from John Henry Newman’s Lead, kindly Light, Amid the Encircling Gloom.
Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site! Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.
1. What message does the song communicate?
Assad lived as a slave to her sin, following her pride instead of God. Amid her turmoil and fear, God took it upon Himself to liberate, guiding her to take a step of faith towards the narrow way. Not wanting to know the entire journey, Assad accepts God’s offer.
It’s not immediately clear which god Assad refers. For example, Qur’an 24:35 describes Allah as a “guiding light”.
Score: 8/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
This song is completely Scriptural.
[Verse 1]
Lines 1-5: Darkness represents a lifestyle of sin and light represents God. Assad asks God to guide them out of their ways, not wanting to know their future (Psalm 32:8, Psalm 37:23-24, Psalm 73:23-24, Psalm 119:105, Isaiah 30:21, Isaiah 48:17, Isaiah 58:11, Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 16:9, Proverbs 20:24, Psalm 25:4-9, Psalm 25:9-10, Luke 1:78-79, John 14:26, John 16:13, and Romans 8:14).
[Verse 2]
Lines 1-4: Assad admits they wanted to follow their pride, leading them into bondage (John 8:34, Romans 6:6, Romans 6:20-22, and 1 Corinthians 6:12).
Line 5: Repeats Verse 1, line 5.
[Verse 3]
Lines 1-4: They didn’t ask to be rescued, yet, God was working on Assad’s prideful heart (Proverbs 16:5, Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 18:12, Proverbs 29:23, Matthew 23:12, Luke 14:11, Luke 18:14, and James 4:6). God was leading Assad toward the narrow path (Matthew 7:13).
Lines 5-7: Contextualizes light as God. Essentially repeats Verse 1, line 5.
Score: 10/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
Assad’s language is common, leading unbelievers to easily conclude similarly as I’ve written in section 1. Yet, this song could easily refer to any deity that’s a guiding light for mankind. The only way that unbelievers will interpret this as the Christian God is by examining Assad’s life or hearing this in a Christian context.
Score: 6/10
4. What does this song glorify?
This song glorifies God in that if we assume Christianity, He rescued Assad out of darkness. However, the lyrics aren’t clear to which god it refers, somewhat veiling His glory.
Score: 8/10
Closing Comments
Audrey Assad’s Lead, Kindly Light is decent. It is about Assad choosing her sins and God’s rescue, that His light moves her towards a more righteous lifestyle. This glorifies God. However, this song could be easily seen as Allah guiding others towards himself, especially by unbelievers who don’t bother to examine Assad’s background. Still, if Christians want to hear this and assume Christianity, I have no issue with that.
This song is inspirational and, even if we assumed Christian context, would not proclaim to God His value and worth. Therefore, it seems inappropriate for corporate worship.
Final Score: 8.5/10
Artist Info
Track: Lead, Kindly Light (listen to the song)
Artist: Audrey Assad
Album: Fortunate Fall
Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)
Release Year: 2013
Duration: 4:26
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
Updates:
07/25/2023 – Added a side note within Introduction based on an email received by Rolando Orellana.
Comments
Darren O'Reilly
Brother, I’ve just come across your website. I’m a Discipleship Pastor in Ireland, and always want to ensure that the words that we sing express the Truth we profess.
‘Lead Kindly Light’ is just a modern setting to an old English hymn, written by JH Newman in the 1830s. While I agree the song maybe lacks the directness required in our contemporary world, there is little doubt that that song speaks of YHWH.
Keep up this most important ministry. Blessings.
racefangurl
Lead, Kindly Light, amidst th’encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!
So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on.
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!
Meantime, along the narrow rugged path,
Thyself hast trod,
Lead, Saviour, lead me home in childlike faith,
Home to my God.
To rest forever after earthly strife
In the calm light of everlasting life.
This is the lyrics to the hymn the other comment alludes to. Guess this song’s just from a time so different, it no longer fits Western culture.