Chris Tomlin – Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)

Contemporary Christian juggernaut Chris Tomlin began his career in 1993.  He released sixteen albums, including:

• Inside Your Love (1995)
• Authentic (1998)
• Too Much Free Time (1998)
• The Noise We Make (2001)
• Not to Us (2002)
• Arriving (2004)
• See the Morning (2006)
• Hello Love (2008)
• And If Our God Is for Us… (2010)
• Burning Lights (2013)
• Love Ran Red (2014)
• Adore: Christmas Songs Of Worship (2015)
• Never Lose Sight (2016)
• Holy Roar (2018)
• Chris Tomlin & Friends (2020)
• Miracle of Love: Christmas Songs of Worship (2020)

He is a 26-time award recipient, including 23 Dove Awards, 2 Billboard awards, and 1 Grammy.

Also, check out my other Chris Tomlin reviews and Christmas song Noel.

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?

Tomlin lists several acts and attributes of God, alongside Tomlin’s responses to God:

Acts

• Hears Tomlin
• Defeats His foes
• Guides Tomlin
• Is present with Tomlin
• Reigns forever
• Became a friend to Tomlin
• Lends Tomlin His strength
• Saves Tomlin

Attributes

• Light that defeats darkness
• Tomlin’s bulwark
• Strong
• Trustworthy
• Sovereign

Tomlin’s Responses

• Sings to God every morning
• Lacks fear

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

All of it does.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

You hear me when I call

As promised in 1 John 5:14.

You are my morning song

Probably references Psalm 59:16.  Tomlin expresses his daily routine of worship.

Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light

God’s light is stronger than darkness (Psalm 107:10-16, Luke 1:79, John 1:1-13, John 12:46, Ephesians 5:8, Colossians 1:13, and 1 Peter 2:9).

Whom shall I fear
You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my sword and shield

Tomlin provides reasons why he is not afraid.  These include God’s crushing His enemies (Psalm 68:21, Psalm 110:6, Habakkuk 3:13) and His protection (Psalm 82:3-4, Proverbs 24:11, Luke 4:18-19, Luke 10:30-37, John 15:13, Romans 12:10, Romans 13:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:11-15, and James 1:27).

Though troubles linger still

God has not completely removed us from trials and tribulations (Romans 5:3-5 and James 1:2-4), yet, Tomlin remains steadfast.

Whom shall I fear

Repeats line 5.

[Chorus]

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind

God goes in front of Tomlin (Exodus 33:14 and Deuteronomy 31:3-8) and behind him as rear guard (Isaiah 58:8).

The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

God is with Tomlin (Deuteronomy 31:6-8, Joshua 1:5-9, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 139:7-10, Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 23:23-24, Zephaniah 3:17, Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 28:20, John 14:16-17, Hebrews 13:5, Romans 8:38-39, and Revelation 3:20).

The one who reigns forever

God will rule for all eternity (Exodus 15:18, Psalm 10:16, Psalm 29:10, Psalm 145:13, Psalm 146:10, Lamentations 5:19, Daniel 4:3, Daniel 6:26, Micah 4:7, 1 Timothy 6:16, 1 Peter 5:11, and Revelation 11:15).

He is a friend of mine

Tomlin is God’s friend and vice-versa (John 15:13-15).

The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

Repeats lines 3 and 4.

[Verse 2]

My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory

Only Jesus can save (John 14:6 and Acts 4:12).  He is the source of Tomlin’s strength (2 Corinthians 12:8-10) and victory (Romans 8:37, 1 Corinthians 15:57, 2 Corinthians 2:14, 1 John 5:4-5, and Revelation 12:10-11).

Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear

Repeats Verse 1, line 5.

[Bridge]

And nothing formed against me shall stand

Quotes from Isaiah 54:17.

You hold the whole world in Your hands

He’s got the whooooooole world in His hands, He’s got the whole wide world in His hands, He’s got the whooooooole world in His hands, He’s got the whole world in His hands (Psalm 24:1).

I’m holding on to Your promises

Yes, all of them!

You are faithful

This is true, even if we are not (2 Timothy 2:13).

You are faithful

Repeats line 4.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Tomlin uses everyday language to describes some of God’s actions and features, pointing unbelievers to Christianity with phrases like “You alone can save”, “My strength is in your name”, and “nothing formed against us shall stand”. They should easily interpret these statements as Christian and arrive at a similar conclusion as stated in section 1.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God that Tomlin accurately describes God’s behavior and properties, including His faithfulness, victories, defense, and salvation.  It also glorifies God that Tomlin responds with daily singing and trust to the point of squashing fear.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Chris Tomlin’s Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) is excellent.  It describes God’s many acts and attributes, including His Presence, eternal reign, and salvation.  Tomlin responds with song and ceasing fear.  Unbelievers should easily interpret similarly.

I highly recommend this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies (listen to the song)

Artist: Chris Tomlin

Album: Burning Lights

Genre: Rock

Release Year: 2013

Duration: 4:28

Agree?  Disagree?  Don’t be shy or have a cow!  Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.

*Copyright © 2013 McTyeire Music (BMI) Worship Together Music (BMI) sixsteps Songs (BMI) Capitol CMG Paragon (BMI) S.D.G. Publishing (BMI) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

10/27/2021 – Updated commentary on Chorus, line 2.  Thank you Neal Cruco for correcting me!  I also forgot to completely write out my closing comments.