“Goodness of God” is one of those rare worship songs that feels personal and congregational at the same time. It is sung at Sunday services, funerals, weddings and baptisms, and it has been recorded by artists from Bethel Music to CeCe Winans. Here is where the song came from, the meaning of “Goodness of God”, and why it has lasted.
Who wrote “Goodness of God”?
The song was written by five songwriters: Jenn Johnson, Brian Johnson, Ed Cash, Jason Ingram and Ben Fielding. Ed Cash also produced the recording. Jenn Johnson, a worship leader at Bethel Church in Redding, California, sings lead on the original version.
The live recording was filmed at Bethel Church and released by Bethel Music on January 4, 2019, as one of the early releases from the live album Victory, which followed on January 25, 2019. It was later released to Christian radio in November 2019.
The story behind the song
Jenn Johnson has said the song was born out of a season in her own family’s life: the adoption of her fourth child. In an interview with Fox News she described singing spontaneously into her phone while driving down a long country road. That voice memo, a simple melody and a few lines of thanks, became the starting point the co-writers developed into the finished song.
That origin explains a lot about how the song sounds. It is not a big anthem about God’s power in the abstract. It is a testimony: someone looking back over their life and saying, in effect, “You have been faithful every step of the way.”
What “Goodness of God” means
The song moves through three simple movements:
- Gratitude for the whole of life. The verses thank God for his faithfulness from the first morning to the present day, through good seasons and hard ones.
- A personal relationship. The lyrics speak of God’s closeness, his voice and his presence as a friend and father, not a distant ruler.
- A life given back in response. The bridge turns gratitude into a commitment to sing of God’s goodness for the rest of one’s life.
Its message echoes several psalms of thanksgiving, especially Psalm 23:6 (“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life”) and Psalm 107:1 (“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good”).
How the song performed
Bethel Music’s version reached No. 15 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart and No. 19 on Christian Airplay, and it has been certified Gold by the RIAA. But chart positions tell only part of the story. “Goodness of God” became a fixture in church services, the kind of song worship leaders return to again and again because congregations know it and love to sing it.
CeCe Winans takes it to a new audience
Gospel legend CeCe Winans recorded the song for her 2021 live album Believe For It. Her version climbed to No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart, reached No. 6 on Hot Christian Songs and has been certified Platinum. Her soulful, choir-backed arrangement introduced the song to many listeners who had never heard of Bethel Music, and today the two versions are equally loved.
When to sing “Goodness of God”
- Thanksgiving services, where its theme of looking back with gratitude fits perfectly.
- Funerals and memorials, where it celebrates a life lived under God’s care.
- Baptisms and dedications, as a declaration of faith over a new beginning.
- Personal worship during seasons of waiting or recovery.
Songs to pair with “Goodness of God”
If you are planning a worship set or simply looking for more songs in the same spirit, try these from our library:
- Matt Redman – “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)”
- Chris Tomlin – “Good Good Father”
- Bethel Music – “No Longer Slaves”
- Bethel Music – “Reckless Love”
- Elevation Worship – “Jireh”
- Leeland – “Way Maker”
Watch the full video on our page for Bethel Music’s “Goodness of God”, or browse more from Bethel Music.
Frequently asked questions
Who sings “Goodness of God”?
The original is by Bethel Music with Jenn Johnson leading. CeCe Winans recorded a popular gospel version in 2021.
When was “Goodness of God” released?
The live recording was released on January 4, 2019, from Bethel Music’s album Victory.
What inspired “Goodness of God”?
Jenn Johnson has said it grew out of the adoption of her fourth child and a melody she sang into her phone while driving.
Is “Goodness of God” good for a funeral?
Yes. Its message of God’s faithfulness across a whole lifetime makes it a popular and comforting choice for memorial services.