Blake Shelton takes a conflicted, deeply-honest look at religious faith in the new track “Bible Verses,” expressing the frustration many believers share.
A moving and compassionate ballad which examines a personal relationship with Christianity, the track holds nothing back in its honesty. But ultimately, it chooses hope.
Written by Joe Fox, Andrew Peebles and Brett Sheroky, and released by Shelton Friday (April 23), the moving song gets real about the conflict some who’ve grown up in the church feel. Shelton’s character is a genuine believer, that much is plain to see. But that presents a problem. He’s also human, full of faults and failings, and that puts him at odds with scripture. He spends the song’s three-and-a-half minutes questioning himself and why faith needs to feel so judgemental. But if you read between the lines, it’s the story of a man who just wants to be good enough.
“No matter where you are in your faith, there are times you feel like you just don’t measure up,” Shelton says in a press release. “‘Bible Verses’ is an honest take on that conflict. But, without preaching too much, it’s hopeful that everything will all work out in the end.”
“I keep prayin’ for the day / That I can open up that Good Book / And Heaven don’t look like it’s out of reach / When it feels like those Apostles are givin’ me the gospel and not the third degree / I just want it to read like Bible verses / And not the Bible versus me,” goes the heartfelt chorus hook.
The acoustic track marks the third taste of Shelton’s next album — and another song addressing a hot-button issue. Blake Shelton stirred up controversy earlier this year with “Minimum Wage,” with some commenters criticizing what they thought was a rich guy making light of the working class’ plight during a devastating pandemic. Shelton overcame that initial reaction, and followed up with the recently-announced news of his next studio album, Body Language, which is set to arrive May 21.
The set also includes Shelton’s chart-topping duet with soon-to-be-wife Gwen Stefani on “Happy Anywhere,” plus a collab with The Swon Brothers and more. “Bible Verses” is said to be the project’s 12th and closing track.