The Story Behind “The Goodness” by TobyMac

The story behind “The Goodness” by TobyMac, featuring Blessing Offor.

Story behind the song “The Goodness”:

“As most of you know, it’s been a hard, hard road for me the last couple of years. I began writing this record right after losing my first born son — the first few songs I wrote, “21 Years,” “Promised Land,” and a song called “Everything About You,” were just really sad songs, lamenting songs, which you kind of would expect. At that point, I was just like, ‘Am I just going to live here? Is this my journey for the rest of my life?,’ and maybe it is sort of, but God began giving me glimpses, starting with “Help Is On the Way,” I started to really stand on that promise, and really believe that help is on the way.

Where that journey sort of took me, and what I kind of landed on, was this thought: I wrote on a napkin one day, ‘you’re still the goodness in my life,’ and I started to believe that, and to see how God is good to me. That’s when I wrote “The Goodness,” and it felt like a celebration, because I began to think about how gracious God is, and how He gives us little glimpses of His goodness, even in the valley. Then I read a quote, and it led to a lot of the lyrics in this song, it said, ‘a saint is not someone who is good, but someone who experiences the goodness of God.’ I have experienced the goodness of God my whole life. There is LIFE AFTER DEATH. This record chronicles the journey I have been on over the last 2 years, and somehow through it all, I have experienced the goodness of God.”

– TobyMac

Related Bible Verses:

Psalm 145:5-7 NIV
”They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds. They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.”

Psalm 23:6 ESV
”Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Learn more about TobyMac on his website and Facebook page.

You can also learn more about Blessing Offor on his website and Facebook page.

Lyrics to “The Goodness”:

You made the rain, so, when it falls on me, should I complain?
Or feel You're calling me
It's all on me to stay and really catch what You're showing
It's my roots that You're growing, 'cause life is more than this moment

You are the light so, when the darkness falls
The greatest heights, they never seem so tall, no, not at all
You're right, it's my roots that You're growing
Don't wanna miss what You're showing

Ain't no doubt about You
Everywhere that I go You keep showing up Lord, You
Make me wanna shout it, oh
You're the goodness in my life

And I'ma tell you, my true
They may come, they may go
You keep showing up, sure do
Ain't no doubt about it
You are (You are) the goodness in my life

You are the joy (joy)
You're the smile on the face of Your boy (boy)
You're the flowers at the park in Detroit
Still the words on the back of our coins
Let's make some noise (hey)

You cover me
My defender, when You're rolling up Your sleeve
You're the truth that's gonna set the captive free
The only King that's ever chose to bleed
That's what I believe

That they keep trying to make Your glory fade (fade)
But I ain't really sweating what they say (say)

Ain't no doubt about You
Everywhere that I go You keep showing up Lord, You
Make me wanna shout it, oh
You're the goodness in my life

And I'ma tell you, my true
They may come, they may go
You keep showing up, sure do
Ain't no doubt about it
You are (You are) the goodness in my life

Through the good, and the bad, and the ugly
I can still see the sunshine above me
Lord, I love all the ways that You love me
You're the good, You're the good, You're the goodness

Through the good and the bad and the ugly (whoa)
I can still feel the sunshine above me (say it Blessing)
Lord, I love all the ways that You love me (yeah)
You're the good (yeah) You're the good (yeah) You're the goodness

You're the good (You are) You're the good (You are)
You're the good, You're the good, You're the goodness
Lord, You're the goodness
You're the good (You are), You're the good (You are)
You're the good, You're the good, You're the goodness

Ain't no doubt about You
Everywhere that I go You keep showing up Lord, You
(Make me wanna shout it) oh (oh)
You're the goodness in my life

And I'ma tell you, my true (yeah)
They may come, they may go
You keep showing up, sure do
Ain't no doubt about it
Whoa (You are, You are)
(The goodness) the goodness (in my life) in my life

You are, You are
(You are) You are
You are (You're the good, You're the good, You're the)
(Goodness in) You're the good

Oh (You're the good, You are) thank You (You're the good, You are)
Yes (You're the good) You are (You're the good, You're the goodness in my life)

You are, You are
Still the goodness in my life