Davey opens the track with, "I lift my voice and cry to You, Oh God, You've got my heart! The very same voice that I use to curse what You've made." Each line of both verses follows this format in showing the hypocrisy of which we're all guilty. It shows the person we want (or even pretend) to be, but also reveals the sinful human underneath it all. However, the most cutting part of the lyrics likely come at the end of the chorus. Here, Davey puts an exclamation on it by singing, "So why do I keep loving You like this after 39 years and counting?" It's an extremely convicting line.

While the words may cause a very difficult look in the mirror, the point of the song isn't to focus on the darkness and our failures. It's a lamentation of these things, a realization of the problem, and then the payoff comes in the final refrain of the song, "God, it is still confounding, that Your grace is still abounding. For 39 years and counting You've been by my side. So, till I take my last breath and run with laughter past death. May all of the days I have left be pleasing in Your sight!" We're all broken and sinful beings. This doesn't mean that we should make excuses or just decide to live in the sin. We recognize God's love for us and strive to worship and please Him. Seeing the way He loves us, despite how we've treated Him, should make us love Him even more.

While this review focused heavily on the lyrical content, that is not to discount the musical accompaniment. The piano, strings, and drums are perfect. I particularly love how Davey takes the music to the darkest place where the lyrics are the bleakest. However, the music crescendos and brightens at the end to also match the mood. It's reminiscent of some Beatles tunes that accomplish this same thing. "39 Years and Counting" is a well-written song from all aspects. I've enjoyed Seth Davey's solo material, but this song is a gut-punch in the best of ways. It's deeply personal, but also extremely relatable. I cannot recommend this song enough -- especially if you're a believer struggling with feelings of unworthiness.

---

(JFH Sponsor Spot)

---

 Record Label: None
 Album length: 1 track: 5 minutes, 4 seconds
 Street Date: June 25, 2025
 Buy It: Amazon Music

39 Years and Counting (5:04)