Photo by Amador Loureiro
Francesca Battistelli started out as an independent artist in 2004, with her debut album, Just a Breath. Four years later, she released her first studio album My Paper Heart, which includes her hit single I’m Letting Go, Free To Be Me, and It’s Your Life. The third song was featured in Sean McNamara’s faith-based movie Soul Surfer, a film based on surfer Bethany Hamilton’s horrific shark attack, recovery, and journey back into the water.
Hundred More Years is her second studio album, released in 2011, followed by Christmas in 2012, and I’ll Be Honest, her latest release in 2014. Although Write Your Story is the featured song on that album, He Knows My Name was requested for review.
Battistelli has won numerous Dove awards, including Female Vocalist, Artist, Short Form Music Video, Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song, and Special Event Album of the year. She also won one Grammy award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song (“Holy Spirit”).
How will He Knows My Name stand up to The Berean Test? Read on to find out!
Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Francesca-battistelli-he-knows-my-name-lyrics.
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?
Battistelli recognizes her own sinful nature, unworthy as a champion for “You”. That is not her story. Rather, She has everything she needs with “You”. Her desire is to express how much the “Father” loves her, that He has called her “chosen”, “wanted” and “His”.
Who is the “You” Battistelli refers to? Is it her own dad? Is it God? The only hints that it might be God are the capitalization of certain words, the term “Father”, and a specific reference to “child of the King”. She could be clearer; However, it’s enough to identify the subject.
Assuming that she refers to God, what about the idea of being “famous in [her] Father’s eyes”? According to Merriam-Webster, it means “widely known” or “honored for achievement”.
Is Battistelli widely known by God? He knows all things yes; However, He also knows her personally, deeply, intimately according to her. I have no reason to doubt that her name is written in the Book of Life.
Is Battistelli honored for her achievements? According to 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, there will be reward for our works. We could interpret that as God “honoring her”, as He, according to 1 Samuel 2:30, honors those who honor Him.
Either definition demonstrates that Battistelli is famous in God’s eyes; However, the first seems like a better fit given its context on her name.
Finally, I have mixed feelings about a particular word that Battistelli describes God’s love for us: “adored”. There are multiple definitions of this word, including deep devotion, worship, and admiration or fondness. The last two definitions are problematic as God does not “worship” us nor is God merely “fond” of us. For this review, we will assume the first definition and ignore my feelings.
Score: 9/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
All of it agrees with Scripture.
[Verse 1]
Battistelli is deep in conversation with herself, contemplating her own depravity (Psalm 14:1-3, Jeremiah 17:9, Romans 3:10-18, and Romans 3:23). She marvels that “You” picked her, for a purpose laid out in Verse 2.
[Pre-Chorus]
Lines 1 and 2: Repeats ideas in verse 1, particularly, line 3.
Lines 3 and 4: Given our assumption, she admits that we are nothing, a nod to John 15:1-5. It is God who makes something out of nothing. How does God do that? She does not tell us.
[Chorus]
Lines 1 and 2: As explained in section 1, the context of the word “famous” is her name towards God. It does not speak of earthly fame and the arrogant attitude that comes with it. Instead, God knows her personally, the opposite of Matthew 7:21-23, and her name is recorded in the Book of Life (Exodus 32:32, Psalm 56:8, Psalm 69:28, Daniel 7:10, Daniel 12:1, Malachi 3:16-18, Revelation 13:8, and Revelation 20:15).
Line 3: Indeed, God knows all things (1 Kings 8:39, 1 Chronicles 28:9, Psalm 44:21, Psalm 139:4, Psalm 147:4-5, Isaiah 40:28, Matthew 10:30, John 16:30 [reference to Jesus], John 21:17 [reference to Jesus], Acts 1:24, Hebrews 4:13, and 1 John 3:20).
Line 4: She is obeying Christ’s words in Matthew 23:1-12. Also, see John 12:42-43 and Galatians 1:10.
Line 5: Given our assumed definition of “adore” as “deep devotion”, we see this clearly in the atoning work of Christ (Leviticus 17:11, Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 1:29, John 3:16, Acts 4:12, Acts 20:28, Romans 5:6-10, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 1:3-4, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 2:14, 1 Timothy 2:6, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 9:26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9).
Line 6: By “Stage” she means the universe. God is sovereign over everything (Genesis 1:1, Deuteronomy 4:39, Deuteronomy 10:14, Joshua 2:11, Nehemiah 9:6, Psalm 29:10, Psalm 45:6, Psalm 93:1-2, Psalm 115:3, Psalm 135:6, Isaiah 43:13, Isaiah 45:9-10, Isaiah 46:10, Lamentations 5:19, Daniel 4:35, Romans 9:19-21, Ephesians 1:11, Hebrews 1:8, James 4:15, Revelation 4:11, and Revelation 20:11).
Lines 7 and 8: Repeat of line 3.
[Verse 2]
Though it is a bit vague, she references the final command Jesus gave right before His ascension: to spread Christianity throughout the world (Matthew 28:16-20).
[Bridge]
An inventory of adjectives “He” calls her. This includes:
- Chosen (John 6:37-44, John 15:16, Romans 8:28-30, Ephesians 1:4-5, Ephesians 2:19, 2 Colossians 3:12, Thessalonians 2:13, and 1 Peter 2:9)
- Free (Psalm 119:45, Isaiah 58:6, Isaiah 61:1, John 3:16-21, John 8:31-36, John 10:10, Acts 13:38-39, Romans 6:1-23, Romans 8:1-4, Romans 8:20-21, 1 Corinthians 6:12, 1 Corinthians 7:21-23, 2 Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 2:4, Galatians 3:13, Galatians 3:22, Galatians 5:1, Galatians 5:13, Colossians 1:21-23, Hebrews 2:14-15, and 1 Peter 2:16 )
- Forgiven (Matthew 26:28, Act 2:38, Act 5:31, Act 10:43, Romans 4:7, Romans 5:6-8, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14, Colossians 2:13-14, James 5:15, James 5:19-20, 1 John 2:1-2, and 1 John 2:12)
- Wanted (see chosen, above)
- [Adopted] Child of the King (John 1:12-13, John 14:18, Romans 8:14-17, Romans 8:23, Romans 9:1-8, Galatians 3:26, Galatians 4:5-7, Ephesians 1:3-14, Ephesians 2:11-22, Hebrews 9:15, and 1 John 3:1-3)
- His forever; Held in treasure (see Child of the King, above, and loved, below)
- Loved (Nehemiah 9:17, Psalm 17:7, Psalm 36:5-7, Psalm 63:3, Psalm 69:16, Psalm 117:2, Isaiah 54:8, John 3:16, John 13:34, John 15:13, Romans 5:6-8, Romans 8:37-39, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 2:4-5, Ephesians 5:25, Titus 3:4, 1 John 4:8, and 1 John 4:16-19 )
Score: 10/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
Unfortunately, those outside Christianity will not likely understand this as a Christian song without additional research. Had they listened to this song at, say, inside an elevator, they would probably think Battistelli sang about her earthly dad: how she felt worthless, that her dad accepted her, and her fame in his eyes. Even if the song was really about her father, it would still be laudable from both Christian and unbelieving communities.
Score: 6/10
4. What does this song glorify?
She glorifies God through the admission of brokenness and lists numerous titles God has bestowed upon her.
Score: 10/10
Closing Comments
Many people will find comfort in these lyrics. Personally, I found her official music video to be emotionally satisfying, healing to victims of sexual assault. It is worth watching at least once.
He Knows Me Name is highly biblical However, I took a slight exception with the lack of clarity that this song refers to God. I have every reason to believe Battistelli glorifies God through this song, despite the minor errors discovered.
Final Score: 9/10
Artist Info
Track: He Knows My Name (listen to the song)
Artist: Francesca Battistelli
Album: If We’re Honest
Genre: Pop
Release Year: 2014
Duration: 3:27
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
Updates:
05/14/2020 – After much prayer and thought from Neal Cruco’s commentary, I’ve reversed my criticism regarding Battistelli famous in God’s eyes. This propels its score from 6.5/10 to 9/10.
Comments
Kellie F.
This song has spoken to millions- for some of us, we can’t be reminded enough that we are known and loved by the very One who created us. For others, it is the first time they’ve heard the message. In my humble opinion, the “You” in the song is quite clear. As far as the word “adore” goes, let’s not split hairs as we know vernacular differs between cultures, locale, and even generations. Instead of seeing the writer as ‘self-focused’, I am simply reminded to whom I belong and where I may fit in God’s plan. To me, this message says exactly what the writer intended: What others think about me doesn’t matter; I am not to base my self-worth on any one else’s opinion of me– only what God thinks of me matters–and HE loves me so much He made a way for me to stay with Him. Period. Thank you for your time.
tastywallet
Kellie,
Thank you for your thoughts, appreciate it! I am glad that you got more out of her hit song than I did.
-TastyWallet
tastywallet
Bob,
The first part seems too much like a loaded question, so I’ll refrain from responding to that.
As to judgment, do not confuse that with admonishment. While judging is about the individual, leading to ad hominem, admonishment is a firm warning regarding behavior. My goal is to show how songs are Biblically accurate or are unclear, can be misconstrued, or is contrary to the Bible through admonishment and correction, consistent with 2 Timothy 3:16-17. If you can show me specifically where and how I judged rather than admonished, I would appreciate that.
-TastyWallet
Neal Cruco
This song came on the radio today and made me think about this review. While the vagueness in who Battistelli refers to is a fair point, I think you might be misunderstanding her statements about being “famous” or “adored” in God’s eyes.
The message of this song is that despite Battistelli’s inadequacies, God chose her and called her his child. And because of that, she has no need to seek earthly fame as so many others do. There’s an inherent desire in our hearts to be known, loved, and valued, and people try many ways to satisfy it without God, often destroying themselves for a thing that fades eventually. (The new song “Glitter and Glory” from Avalon is a really good one on this subject.) Only in God is this desire satisfied, leaving Battistelli with no need for worldly fame. That’s how I interpret the song. For this reason, I think that Battistelli may not be using “famous” in the earthly sense, but rather saying that God satisfies that same desire that people try to satisfy with earthly fame.
In any case, we agree that Battistelli wrote this song to glorify God and not herself, so that’s good.
Vince Wright
Neal,
Thank you for your thoughtful words as always! I’ll have to pray on it. You’ve made a compelling case for a redeemable usage of “famous” in the context that perhaps Battistelli intended.
-Vince Wright
Neal Cruco
Vince,
I was thinking about this song again today. Have you come to a decision on this point?
Vince Wright
Neal,
Thanks for the reminder! I forgot to go back and respond to this.
I looked up the word “famous” in Merriam-Webster. It means “widely known” or “honored for achievement”. That’s it. That’s all it means!
Is Battistelli widely known by God? He knows all things yes; However, He also knows her personally, deeply, intimately according to her. I don’t doubt that her name is written in the Book of Life (Exodus 32:32, Psalm 56:8, Psalm 69:28, Daniel 7:10, Daniel 12:1, Malachi 3:16-18, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 20:15).
Is Battistelli honored for her achievements? According to 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, there will be reward for our work. We could interpret that as God “honoring her”, as He, according to 1 Samuel 2:30, honors those who honor Him.
Either way, there is good reason to think that she is famous in God’s eyes. The first definition seems to fit more given the context is about her name specifically.
I’ve updated my review.
-Vince Wright