God, Mercy, and Dave Matthews Band

Dave Matthews Band

How should Christians approach secular music? It’s a good question, over which much ink has been spilled. This same question was brought to my mind after hearing a song from the upcoming new studio album from Dave Matthews Band. The song is called “Mercy,” and you can listen to it here. I’ve been a DMB fan for almost 10 years now, and I’ve often been intrigued by Dave’s use of biblical imagery in his lyrics. Evolution (biological and sociological) and world peace through tolerance and cooperation are also recurring themes.

Both musically and lyrically, “Mercy” is another solid song in the mold of a catchy, singable exhortation for people to be proactive in their pursuit of peace and harmony on earth. A good aim, right? But does the song offer the correct solution? Let’s examine the lyrics.

Don’t give up, I know you can see
All the world and the mess that we’re making
Can’t give up and hope God will intercede
Come on back, imagine that we could get it together

Stand up for what we need to be
‘Cause crying won’t save or feed a hungry child
Can’t lay down and hope a miracle will change things
So lift up your eyes, lift up your heart, singing

Mercy, will we overcome this
Oh, one by one, could we turn it around
Maybe carry on just a little bit longer
And I’ll try to give you what you need

Me and you, and you, and you just wanna be free
But you see, all the world is just as we’ve made it
And until we got a new world I’ve got to say
That love is not a whisper or a weakness
No, love is strong, so we got to get together
Yeah, gotta get, gotta get, gotta get
‘Til there is no reason to fight

Mercy, will we overcome this
Have we come too far to turn it around
Ask too much to be a little bit stronger
But I wanna give you what you need

Now what is a Christian to do with this song? The only mention of God seems to be one of disregard. The gospel is not mentioned. It is not an overtly Christian song. But is it redeemable? Can we sing along? Can we use this song as a conversation starter with an unbeliever?

Don’t give up, I know you can see
All the world and the mess that we’re making

The Christian hears the sadness in these words and knows this world is a mess because of man’s sin (Genesis 3). We also know that in spite of sin, we should not give up in despair, because Christ has defeated the power of sin and our efforts are not in vain (Galatians 6:9-10).

Can’t give up and hope God will intercede
Come on back, imagine that we could get it together

Here’s the biggest hurdle. Christians know it is only by the power of God that change will occur, whether it be at the personal, social, national, or global level. But look at the first part of the sentence: Can’t give up… Is Dave truly describing the attitude of Christians? Does Scripture tell us to give up? To “let go and let God”? No! We are called to do good to our neighbor, not use our trust in God’s sovereignty as a license for laziness (James 2:14-17). God will accomplish the change he desires, and he has promised to do so through the use of means. We are commanded to be active in our interaction with the world, not passive (Matthew 28:18-20) Compare the next few lines of “Mercy”…

Stand up for what we need to be
‘Cause crying won’t save or feed a hungry child
Can’t lay down and hope a miracle will change things

…with the words of James 2:14-17:

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has belief but does not have works? Can belief deliver him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also belief by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

James is calling believers to do good works to their neighbor, not to make their faith saving or to build their assurance, but to actually serve others and be justified in the eyes of the world around them. A lazy hypocrite is not a good witness for Christ.

So lift up your eyes, lift up your heart, singing

In bold defiance of the sin and misery around us, Christians have good reason to be hopeful and of good cheer. We sing to the Lord who reigns over this world from the throne of heaven and who is working all things according to his excellent plan.

Mercy, will we overcome this
Oh, one by one, could we turn it around
Maybe carry on just a little bit longer
And I’ll try to give you what you need

As Christians, we can persevere in hope and good works because we know what true mercy looks like. Mercy is not just a vague word spoken in despair or frustration, but a reminder of our merciful God who loved us while we were yet sinners. Day by day, person by person, we carry out the commands of our Lord to spread the gospel and make disciples of all nations. This work is not done in vain. It is what the world truly needs.

Me and you, and you, and you just wanna be free
But you see, all the world is just as we’ve made it
And until we got a new world I’ve got to say

I cannot hear or read these words without feeling empathy for those who recognize (but do not understand) their bondage to sin and its effects. Those who do not despair often begin to believe that humanity can fix itself and create a new world. Indeed, this seems to be the conscious message of the song.

Now we have a choice. Do we ignore this song and those who sing it? Do we shut our ears to the lament of a dying world? Do we think to ourselves, I know God’s in control. They’re wrong, so I don’t have to worry about it? Or do we choose to perceive the 100 percent real, legitimate agonizing of those drowning in sin? Do we say, “You’re wrong. Repent,” and stop there? What hope does that offer?

Recently, I have witnessed a great deal of law being preached, but accompanied by precious little gospel. Of course, this is done under the self-righteous guise of “defending God’s Word” and “protecting free speech.” Yet to my eyes, the motive often seems to be the sinful hearts of professing Christians simply seizing an opportunity to play the Pharisee to the unbelieving Gentile. We look at those on the outside and cry, “Sinner!” and pat each other on the back, congratulating ourselves for being on the right side of a particular sin. How quickly we forget from whence we came!

That love is not a whisper or a weakness
No, love is strong

1 Corinthians 13.

so we got to get together…
‘Til there is no reason to fight

If we understand this to mean we should seek to unite with all people regardless of beliefs, then of course we must reject it. But this does not mean we do not strive to live peaceably with our neighbors, and pray for true Christian unity. We look forward to the day when there will be no more fighting.

Mercy, will we overcome this
Have we come too far to turn it around
Ask too much to be a little bit stronger
But I wanna give you what you need

The difference between the Christian and the humanist is in the answers to these questions. Only the Christian can point to a positive answer. While we are powerless to change ourselves, Christ has and will overcome sin. While it is too late for humanity to redeem itself, Christ provides the mercy we need. In Christ, we are strong enough to take a stand for righteousness. The world needs the gospel.