He Loves Me
Brittany Howard Lyrics

The song He Loves Me by Brittany Howard is a complex and thought-provoking piece that speaks about her relationship with religion and faith. The opening line “But we Christians would not ever intentionally miss church” sets the tone for the song, which goes on to express Howard's disillusionment with the traditional Christian faith. She declares that she does not go to church anymore, but she knows that God still loves her. This statement is especially poignant because it defies the traditional Christian belief that a person must attend church to be considered a true believer.

The chorus “He loves me when…” is a powerful affirmation of God’s unconditional love, even in the face of perceived flaws and shortcomings. Howard lists a series of actions – smoking blunts, drinking too much – that are traditionally seen as sins in Christianity. However, she asserts that God still loves her in spite of these actions. This is a bold statement that challenges the idea of a judgmental God and instead paints a picture of a deity that loves all individuals equally, regardless of their actions or beliefs.

The song concludes with Howard expressing her desire for peace and her belief that love is the answer. She asserts that she does not need to know why God loves her, she simply knows that He does. The final lines of the song, “Somebodiness does not come from your opinion of God” drive this point home, suggesting that true worth and value come not from others' judgments, but from an inner sense of self-worth and belief in one’s worthiness of love and respect.