This song was composed to help pass the time on a road trip. The first verse was composed by Velna or her traveling companions, and many more have been added since. |
Representative Text
1 God is so good,
God is so good,
God is so good,
he's so good to me.
2 He cares for me,
He cares for me,
He cares for me,
he's so good to me.
3 God answers prayer,
God answers prayer,
God answers prayer,
he's so good to me.
4 I praise his name,
I praise his name,
I praise his name,
he's so good to me.
Spanish:
Dios es muy bueno,
Dios es muy bueno,
Dios es muy bueno,
es muy bueno para mi.
Swahili:
Mungu yu mwema,
Mungu yu mwema,
Mungu yu mwema,
yu mwema kwangu.
Portuguese:
Deus é tão bom,
Deus é tão bom,
Deus é tão bom,
É tão bom pra mim.
Author: Paul Makai
Paul Makai has been a leader in the Evangelical Church of Zambia since 1978 and is currently Dean of Students at Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary in Windhoek, Namibia. He has written and composed numerous songs, most of which have been credited as "Anonymous" or "African Traditional." Dianne Shapiro, from Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary (//www.nets.edu.na) and an email from John Freeman, former director of AEF Australia (African Evangelical Fellowship/SIM) who met Makai in the late 1980's Go to person page >
Translator: Marilyn Foulkes
Marilynn Foulkes was a missionary with the SAGF/AEF (South African Global Mission/African Evangelical Fellowship - now under SIM). Dianne Shapiro, from email from John Freeman, former Director of AEF in Australia Go to person page >
Text Information
- Text Information
- Lectionary Weeks
- Scripture References
- Languages
First Line: | God is so good, God is so good |
Title: | God Is So Good |
Author: | Paul Makai |
Translator: | Marilyn Foulkes (c. 1970) |
Source: | Traditional |
Language: | English |
Notes
This song was a traditional song throughout Africa before 1960. Paul Makai, a leader in the Evangelical Church in Namibia, transcribed the words to the hymn into his language; from which Marylyn Foulkes, a missionary with the SAGF/AEF (South African Global Fellowship/African Evangelical Fellowship - now under SIM) translated the text into English.
Dianne Shapiro, from John Freeman, former director of AEF Australia, (email to Hymnary)
Timeline
Page Scans
Instances
Instances (1 - 32 of 32)
Glory to God #658
Display Title: God Is So Good First Line: God is so good Tune Title: GOD IS SO GOOD Author: Anon. Meter: 4.4.4.5 Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:34; 2 Chronicles 5:13; Psalm 27:13; Psalm 33:5; Psalm 73:1; Isaiah 58:9; Luke 11:9; John 7:17; 1 Peter 5:7; 1 John 4:19 Date: 2013 Subject: Love of God for Us | ; Providence | ; Thanksgiving |
Glory to God #658
Hymns of Faith #433
Display Title: God Is So Good First Line: God is so good Tune Title: [God is so good] Scripture: Psalm 73:1; John 7:17; 1 Peter 5:7; 1 John 4:19 Date: 1980 Subject: Faithfulness | Of God Source: Traditional
Hymns of Faith #433
Lift Up Your Hearts #777
Display Title: God Is So Good First Line: God is so good (Dios bueno es) (Mungu yu mwema) (Deus é tão bom) (Katonda Mulungi) Tune Title: GOD IS SO GOOD Scripture: Psalm 34:8; Psalm 150; Proverbs 15:29; 1 Peter 5:7 Date: 2013 Subject: Elements of Worship | Profession of Faith; God's | Goodness; Praise of God | Source: Traditional
Lift Up Your Hearts #777
Rejoice Hymns #563
Display Title: God Is So Good First Line: God is so good, God is so good Tune Title: GOD IS SO GOOD Meter: Irregular Date: 2011 Subject: Choruses | ; God | Attributes; Thanksgiving | Source: Traditional
Rejoice Hymns #563
Santo, Santo, Santo #461
Display Title: God Is So Good (Cuán bueno es Dios) First Line: God is so good (¡Cuán bueno es Dios!) Tune Title: GOD IS SO GOOD Author: Salomón R. Mussiett, 1932-2012 Meter: 4 4 4 5 Scripture: 1 Chronicles 26:24; Psalm 34:8; Proverbs 15:29; Luke 11:9; 1 Peter 5:7; 1 John 4:9 Date: 2019 Subject: Alabanza | ; Amor por Dios | ; Love for God | ; Praise | ; Providence | ; Providencia | ; Renewal (Restoration) | Source: Traditional
Santo, Santo, Santo #461
Sing Joyfully #616
Display Title: God Is So Good First Line: God is so good Tune Title: [God is so good] Date: 1989 Subject: Choruses | ; Confession of Sin | ; Consecration | ; God | Love and Mercy; Obedience | Source: Traditional
Sing Joyfully #616
Sing With Me #21
Display Title: God Is So Good First Line: God is so good Tune Title: God Is So Good Date: 2006 Subject: Hello | Praise and Thanksgiving; Songs in Other Languages | Korean; Songs in Other Languages | Spanish; Songs in Other Languages | Swahili; Songs with Signing or Motions | ; Vocal Options | Descants Source: Traditional
Sing With Me #21
Songs for Life #207
Display Title: God Is So Good First Line: God is so good Tune Title: [God is so good] Date: 1995 Subject: Living in God's World | God's Care for Us Source: Traditional
Songs for Life #207
Songs of Zion #231
Display Title: God Is So Good First Line: God is so good Tune Title: [God is so good] Author: Anonymous Date: 1981 Subject: Service Music | Responses
Songs of Zion #231
The Worshiping Church #75
Display Title: God Is So Good First Line: God is so good Tune Title: GOD IS SO GOOD Author: Anonymous Meter: Irregular Scripture: 2 Chronicles 5:13; Psalm 33:5; Isaiah 58:9; Luke 11:9; 1 Peter 5:7; 1 John 4:19 Date: 1990 Subject: God the Father | Providence and Care
The Worshiping Church #75
This Far By Faith #275
Display Title: God Is So Good First Line: God is so good Tune Title: GOD IS SO GOOD Date: 1999 Subject: Holy Communion | ; Praise, Thanksgiving | ; Songs for Children | ; Witness | Source: Traditional
This Far By Faith #275
Worship in Song #229
Display Title: O God Is Good (Mungu yu mwema) First Line: O God is good (Mungu yu mwema) Tune Title: [O God is good] Date: 1996 Subject: Children | God is Good; Joy | ; Praise | ; Swahili | Source: East African Christian folk song
Worship in Song #229
Yes, Lord! #434
Display Title: God Is So Good First Line: God is so good Tune Title: [God is so good] Date: 1982 Subject: Testimony, Witness and Evangelism | ; Worship and Adoration | Source: Traditional
Yes, Lord! #434
Include 4 pre-1979 instances