Lincoln Brewster, Paul Baloche
A scripturally saturated anthem of decisional worship that grounds personal consecration in Psalm 118 with exceptional clarity and congregational accessibility. The song functions as both corporate declaration and individual response, making it ideal for commitment services, new year gatherings, or sermon series on surrender and lordship. The melody is memorable without being complex, and the theological arc moves from decision to declaration to rejoicing. Suitable for congregations of all sizes and maturity levels, with particular strength in visitor-accessible language that never sacrifices doctrinal substance.
Five lenses
The song is built on the foundation of Psalm 118:24, a verse celebrating God's sovereign work in creating each day as an opportunity for worship and rejoicing. The lyric expands this to a personal application: if God has made this day, then today is the day to respond in full surrender. The chorus paraphrases Scripture directly, while verses develop the implication that divine initiative demands human response. The covenant language of 'putting God first' and 'giving Him all' reflects the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:5) and the Great Commandment's call to love God with totality. The celebratory tone aligns with the original context of Psalm 118, which was likely sung during temple processions and festivals.
The theological arc moves from recognition of God's sovereignty (He has made this day) to personal response (I will rejoice, I will give all) to communal declaration (we celebrate, we lift You up). This progression is sound: theology precedes doxology, which then leads to discipleship. The song avoids therapeutic deism by grounding joy not in circumstances but in God's character and creative work. The decision language is consistently framed as worship response, not self-help resolution. The Christological dimension is present but understated, which is appropriate given the song's grounding in a creation-focused psalm. The emphasis on 'today' creates healthy urgency without manipulation, inviting immediate obedience rather than future intention.
The song sits comfortably in the upper-mid range for contemporary worship, with a melodic peak that is enthusiastic but not strained when transposed down one step to C major. The verse melody uses stepwise motion and small intervals, making it easy to learn and remember. The chorus opens up with wider intervals that create energy without complexity. The tempo of 120 BPM is energetic but not rushed, allowing congregations to sing with confidence. The form is clear, with repeated chorus sections providing anchoring points for less experienced singers. Rhythmic syncopation is minimal, and syllabic stress aligns naturally with English speech patterns. This is a song that works equally well with full band or acoustic guitar and vocals.
The lyric uses simple but effective parallelism, particularly in the contrast between past inaction and present decision. The imagery is primarily declarative rather than metaphorical, which suits the song's function as a statement of intent. The repeated 'today is the day' motif creates momentum and urgency without becoming manipulative. The song avoids overwrought metaphor, opting instead for clarity and directness. The conversational tone makes the lyric feel personal and immediate. Repetition is strategic, reinforcing the central decision theme without becoming tedious. The vocabulary is accessible to visitors and children while remaining substantive enough for mature believers.
The song is defensible on scriptural, theological, and pastoral grounds. Likely objections center on the decision-focused language and the potential for misunderstanding human agency. These can be addressed by framing the song within a broader theology of grace and by teaching that all resolve to obey is itself a gift of the Spirit. The song's Psalm 118 foundation and its call to worship as response make it a strong choice for Baptist worship contexts that value both divine sovereignty and human responsibility.
Full analysis
This song is a congregational anthem built on the theological foundation of Psalm 118:24, where the psalmist declares, 'This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.' The lyric takes this declaration and applies it personally and corporately, inviting worshipers to recognize each day as God's gift and to respond with immediate, wholehearted consecration. The structure moves from individual resolve to corporate celebration, mirroring the movement from personal faith to communal worship that characterizes healthy Baptist ecclesiology. The song's genius lies in its simplicity: it takes a familiar verse and makes it a catalyst for present-tense obedience, avoiding the trap of future intention without current action.
Theologically, the song operates within the tension of divine sovereignty and human responsibility that is central to Baptist thought. God has made this day, which establishes His sovereign initiative and creative power. The worshiper's response is to rejoice, to give all, to put God first. This is not Pelagian self-effort but covenantal response, the kind of obedience that flows from recognition of who God is and what He has done. The song avoids therapeutic deism by grounding joy not in circumstances but in the character of God as Creator and Sustainer. The language of 'giving it all' and 'putting You first' echoes the Great Commandment's call to love God with totality, making this a song about lordship and worship, not merely emotional uplift.
Musically, the song is accessible without being simplistic. The melody uses stepwise motion in the verses, making it easy to learn, while the chorus opens up with wider intervals that create energy and lift. The tempo of 120 BPM is energetic but not rushed, allowing congregations to sing with full voice and clear diction. The form is predictable, with repeated chorus sections that anchor less experienced singers. The original key of D is suitable for contemporary worship bands with younger vocalists, but transposing to C makes the song more accessible for mixed-age congregations, bringing the ceiling note from D5 to C5. This is a song that works equally well with full instrumentation or stripped-down acoustic arrangements, making it flexible for churches of various sizes and resources.
Pastorally, this song is ideal for moments when the congregation needs to be called to present obedience: new year services, commitment Sundays, sermon series on lordship or discipleship, or services focused on consecration and renewal. It works well as a response song following a message on God's faithfulness or the cost of discipleship. The decision language is clear and direct, making it appropriate for services where an invitation or response time is planned. The song's accessibility also makes it suitable for all-church gatherings where multiple generations are present. Worship leaders should introduce it with brief teaching that frames the 'I will' statements as Spirit-enabled response, not autonomous resolve, ensuring that the song reinforces a theology of grace rather than works.
Defense brief
Who raises this: Theologically Reformed congregants or those sensitive to synergism
Paul himself uses 'I will' language in contexts of worship and resolve (1 Corinthians 14:15, 'I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding'). The psalm genre regularly includes human vows and declarations that are understood as responses to divine grace (Psalm 116:12-14). The key is pastoral framing: these are not autonomous resolutions but Spirit-prompted acts of worship.
Introduce the song by noting that our ability to say 'I will follow' is itself a gift of grace. Use it in conjunction with songs that emphasize God's prior action and enabling work, creating a theological balance within the service.
Who raises this: Liturgically cautious worship leaders or those wary of revivalist pressure tactics
The urgency of 'today' is biblical, not manipulative, when grounded in the psalmist's recognition that each day is a gift from God. Hebrews 3:13 exhorts believers to encourage one another daily 'as long as it is called Today,' linking the present moment to faithfulness. The song's urgency is not emotional coercion but theological realism: God has made this day, and obedience delayed is obedience denied.
Use the song in contexts where the call to present obedience is appropriate: new year services, commitment Sundays, or series on discipleship. Avoid using it in every service, which could dull its impact and make the urgency feel formulaic.
Scripture map
Primary foundations
Supporting connections
Story behind the song
The song was co-written by Lincoln Brewster and Paul Baloche, two prominent figures in contemporary worship who have collaborated on multiple projects. It was released in 2015 as part of Brewster's album of the same name, which focused on themes of joy, celebration, and personal consecration.
Album liner notes, Today Is The Day (2015)
Brewster has noted in interviews that the song was written as a declaration of intent, a way to help congregations move from passive reflection to active commitment. The Psalm 118 foundation was intentional, grounding the decision language in Scripture's call to rejoice in God's work.
Artist interview, Worship Leader Magazine
The song gained traction in evangelical and Baptist churches as a new year anthem and commitment song, often used in services focused on renewal, resolution, and fresh dedication to Christ. Its accessibility and clear message made it popular across denominations and church sizes.
CCLI usage data and worship leader forums
Themes
Sermon series fit
Audience fit
Maturity
Accessible to new believers while substantive enough for mature disciples. The decision language is clear without being simplistic.
Age group
All ages, particularly effective with youth and young adults due to energetic tempo, but equally accessible to older congregations when transposed to C.
Service type
Contemporary, blended, or any service where a call to commitment is appropriate. Works well as response or sending song.
Visitor-friendly
High. The language is accessible, the melody is memorable, and the message is clear even to those unfamiliar with Christian worship vocabulary.
Special contexts
Ideal for new year services, commitment Sundays, baptism services, sermon response times, and any gathering focused on consecration or renewal.
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