Photo by Elena Taranenko
Almost none of you are familiar with Manny Benton. He is an up and coming artist, debuting his single I Look To You on July 27, 2017. He personally sent me an email requesting that I review his song. I am touched to receive such an intimate invitation to critique his work.
For those of you more interested to learn more about Manny and his story, visit his website.
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?
It communicates several attributes of God found in the Scriptures, including His strength, peace, perfection, truth, and sacrificial love. It is through Him that we can attain peace in the tumult of everyday life, with hope for a better, eternal life with Him.
The style of both verses reminds me of the hymnal style, both in structure and in form. Manny is clear in his communication, not resorting to allusions, with the exception of the word “oceans” to describe the grind of daily life. He lets the Bible do the heavy lifting rather than sounding like a paraphrased, watered-down version of the Word of God. Explicitly stating the name of God also helps with clarity, especially towards unbelievers.
Score: 10/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
All lyrics are biblically accurate. Lyrics posted with permission*.
[Verse 1]
He is my strength when I am weak
The personal pronoun “He” is identified as God in line 4. The concept of finding strength in God during our times of weakness is a common Biblical theme, with some prominent examples found in Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 22:19, Psalm 28:7-8, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 118:14, Isaiah 12:2, Isaiah 33:2, Isaiah 40:29-31, Habakkuk 3:19, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Ephesians 3:16, Ephesians 6:10, and Philippians 4:13.
When oceans roar, still I have peace
The word “oceans” is a stand-in for any and all troubles we have in this present life. Despite this, Manny has peace through it. It is through trials and tribulations that we can develop good, moral character, including the third fruit of the Spirit: peace (see Psalm 66:8-12, Acts 14:22, Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4, and 1 Peter 1:5-9). Though Jesus did not come to bring external peace on earth (Matthew 10:34), it is through Him that internal peace may be found (see Psalm 66:8-12, Acts 14:22, Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4, and 1 Peter 1:5-9). He is the prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6).
He is my hope when hope seems gone
I Look To God and God Alone
Manny contrasts the hope found in humanity with that in God, as succinctly captured in Psalm 118:8-9. Also, see Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 33:20, Psalm 39:7, Psalm 62:5, Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 11:28-30, Romans 5:1-8, Romans 8:24-39, Romans 15:13, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58, and 1 Peter 1:3-6.
[Chorus]
I Look To You
I Look To You
Repeats the first part of Verse 1 line 4, with the word “God” replaced with the pronoun “You”.
Your ways are perfect
God’s ways are perfect because God is perfect. See Leviticus 11:44-45, Leviticus 19:2, Deuteronomy 32:4, 2 Samuel 22:31, Psalm 12:6, Psalm 18:30, Psalm 19:7-11, Psalm 25:8, Psalm 92:15, Isaiah 26:7, Matthew 5:48, Mark 10:18, Luke 18:19, Romans 12:1-2, and 1 Peter 1:16.
Your words are true
Given that God is perfect and that Jesus is the embodiment of truth (John 14:6), it should not surprise us that His words are true. Also, see 2 Samuel 7:25-28, Psalm 119:142, Psalm 119:151, Psalm 119:160, and John 17:17-19.
I Look To You
I Look To You
Repeats lines 1 and 2.
In you, there’s hope
Repeats idea in Verse 1 line 4.
I Look To You
Repeats line 1.
[Verse 2]
He is my portion, He bore my pain
The first half of this line is quoted from Psalm 16:5, Psalm 73:26, Psalm 119:57, Psalm 142:5, and Lamentations 3:24. The second refers to Jesus, as captured in 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.
Despised, rejected but rose again
The entire ordeal of Christ’s scourging can be found in Matthew 27:33-56, Mark 15:22-41, Luke 23:33-49, and John 19:1-30. His resurrection is the central theme of the entire New Testament, explicitly mentioned in Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20, Acts 1:3, Acts 3:15, Acts 4:33, and 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.
He Loves us more than we’ll ever know
According to Jesus, the greater act of love is to lay down one’s life for his friends (John 15:13). Yet, Jesus took it a step further. Out of His great love for us, He died for His enemies also (see Romans 5:6-8).
I Look To God and God Alone
Repeats verse 1 line 4.
[Bridge]
You are the way
Truth and the life
Quoted directly from Jesus’ declarative in John 14:6, when Jesus responded to Thomas’ question about how he (and Jesus’ other followers) will find where Jesus is going. Jesus, as the embodiment of Truth, claims to be the only way to the Father to which we will find everlasting life.
My hope, My hope is in you
Given all the other things said in this song, the final summation (as mentioned in Verse 1 line 3) is that our hope is in God alone. See commentary in Verse 1 lines 3-4.
Score: 10/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
It would be unreasonable to think that those who do not follow Jesus will interpret this song differently than I have. The obvious biblical quotes, the explicit mention of God, and clear mention of the resurrection of Jesus make it easy for even the most clueless of unbelievers who have some semblance of Christianity to see that it’s a song about God.
As an added bonus, Manny uses mostly everyday language rather than church lingo that only Christians will understand. It can be a daunting task to balance evangelical outreach using clear communication with not compromising the message. Manny has done a fine job in this department.
Score: 10/10
4. What does this song glorify?
If it glorifies anything other than God, I clearly missed it.
Score: 10/10
Closing Comments
Manny Benton’s I Look To You is a breath of fresh air. With his clear communication of biblical truth, he uses language that both Christ followers and unbelievers can understand, bringing glory to God. I pray that those who listen may find encouragement and peace with God.
Score: 10/10
Artist Info
Track: I Look To You (listen to the song)
Artist: Manny Benton
Album: NA
Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)
Release Year: 2017
Duration: 3:57
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
*Copyright ©2017 Manny Benton Music (ASCAP). All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Updates:
03/25/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.
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