Zach Williams - Good To Know Lyrics

Good To Know

Good To Know Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

Zach Williams' song "Good To Know," released on July 8, 2021, delves into the candid realities of human struggle and the profound relief found in divine grace. The lyrics open with a confession of common human flaws – stubbornness, pride, and a tendency towards self-reliance. The narrator admits to believing they are strong enough to handle life's battles alone, rejecting help and holding tightly to their possessions. This honest self-assessment extends to acknowledging selfishness and a inclination to shift blame when circumstances are unfavorable, recognizing these are merely excuses masking the truth of inherent limitations.

The core message emerges as the song acknowledges the inevitable breaking point where personal strength fails. When life becomes burdensome and worries threaten to overwhelm, the narrator realizes the inadequacy of their own will. This realization leads to the central declaration: "It’s good to know" about the saving act performed by another. The song powerfully articulates the concept of substitution, stating that "You took it all off of me, stood there in my place." This act of taking the burden and standing in the narrator's stead is identified as the source of salvation, where a "lost soul" is "swept up caught up in Your grace." This central theme underscores the foundational Christian belief in Christ's atoning sacrifice.

Even after this realization and experience of grace, the lyrics acknowledge the ongoing nature of human frailty. The song admits that anxiety and doubt can still persist. However, it introduces a shift in perspective – taking a moment to pause and look around reveals a "bigger picture." This suggests that even in the midst of continued struggles, the knowledge of the initial redemptive act provides clarity and hope. The chorus returns to reaffirm the foundational truth discovered earlier: the relief and assurance derived from knowing that when personal strength fails, the burden has already been taken, and salvation is found in grace. The repetition of "It's good to know You took it all" serves as a powerful anchor throughout the song, reinforcing the central theme of reliance on a higher power rather than self.

The themes explored in the song resonate deeply with various biblical teachings. The opening verses depicting pride and self-reliance echo scriptures like Proverbs 16:18, which speaks of pride coming before a fall, or Jeremiah 17:5, cautioning against trusting in human strength. The feeling of burdens and worries dragging one down aligns with passages like Matthew 11:28-30, where Jesus invites the weary to come to Him for rest, or 1 Peter 5:7, urging believers to cast their anxieties upon God because He cares for them. The pivotal message of taking burdens and standing in one's place directly reflects the concept of substitutionary atonement found in scriptures such as 2 Corinthians 5:21, stating that Christ became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him, and 1 Peter 2:24, noting that He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross. The encompassing theme of grace aligns with Ephesians 2:8-9, emphasizing salvation by grace through faith, not by works. The song effectively translates these core theological concepts into relatable language about the human experience of struggle and finding peace in faith.