In 1965, when thirteen year-old MARTY GOETZ stood at the bimah of Cleveland's Temple on the Heights for his Bar-mitzvah and solemnly sang the ancient words of the Torah, no one -- least of all Marty -- could have envisioned that some twenty years later he would be singing to God, this time as a featured performer at Billy Graham's 1991 Rally in Central Park. For, although Marty knew that music would always be a part of his life, God was something he thought he could now leave behind.
As half of 'Bert & Marty', he sang at clubs and dinner theaters around Pittsburgh while studying English at Carnegie Mellon University. There was even a non-singing guest appearance on 'Mister Rogers' as Smokey Bear.
After graduation, he and Bert set out for New York City, determined, as Marty remembers, 'to give it two weeks to become a star or I'd go back to Cleveland and the family furniture business.' Just one week later, Marty and Bert found themselves performing at hotels in the Catskill Mountains. At the end of the summer they were named 'Best New Act of 1974'.
Then Bert found Jesus. Horrified at his partner's born again experience, Marty broke up the act and returned to New York City. He worked steadily as a songwriter and cabaret entertainer until 1978, when he shifted his ambitions from Broadway to Pop and moved to Los Angeles.
Provoked by the increasing numbers of born-agains in his life, he began reading the Bible, 'looking for loopholes'. A few short weeks later, sitting alone one night on a friend's balcony, looking down on the lights of Sunset Boulevard, he realized with certainty that 'the Jesus of the New Testament was the Messiah my people have been longing for'.
Within a year, Marty began performing with Debby Boone and soon began to establish himself as a strong and passionate voice for Messianic believers within the church.
He has ministered before congregations as diverse as Jack Hayford's Church on the Way, Greg Laurie's Harvest Christian Fellowship and Harvest Crusades, Coral Gables Presbyterian, Chicago's Moody Church, David Wilkerson's Times Square Church. Ministries such as Focus on the Family, Insight For Living, TBN, Promise Keepers, Billy Graham Training Center/The Cove and CBN have invited Marty to come and share his musical gifts and talents.
Marty has been recording music steadily since 1985, and today lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee with his wife Jennifer and their daughter Danyel Misha.
For more information contact:
Marty Goetz Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 411
Franklin, Tennessee 37065
Wherever You Go
Marty Goetz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wherever you live, it's there, that I shall live
O Israel, your people shall be my people
Forever my love, your God shall be my God
O Israel, your people shall be my people
Forever my love, your God shall be my God
Hear o Israel
Wherever you go, there I will go
And wherever you live, it's there, that I shall live
The vow that I take, I will never leave you
O for Zion's sake, Yeshua, I'll lay my life down
O Israel, your people shall be my people
Forever my love, your God shall be my God
Hear o Israel
Wherever you go, there I will go
Wherever you live, it's there, that I shall live
O Israel, your people shall be my people
Forever my love, your God shall be my God
Hear o Israel
Israel
This is my vow
Wherever you go, there shall I go
Ruth 1: 16-17
The lyrics to the song "Wherever You Go" by Marty Goetz are rooted in the Bible, specifically the book of Ruth, chapter one, verses 16-17. The song is based on the commitment Ruth made to her mother-in-law Naomi after her husband died, pledging to stay with her through thick and thin. Ruth makes a vow that wherever Naomi goes, she will go, wherever Naomi lives, she will live, and Naomi's people will be her people. Ruth's pledge of loyalty and devotion is profound, and in the song, the singer pledges to do the same thing for Israel and for God.
The lyrics are full of emotion, and the repetition of "Wherever you go, there I will go" emphasizes the depth of the singer's commitment. The use of "Forever my love, your God shall be my God" is powerful, demonstrating that the singer is not just pledging to be by Israel's side physically, but also spiritually. The song is a beautiful expression of love, loyalty, and devotion towards Israel and God.
Overall, the lyrics of "Wherever You Go" by Marty Goetz are a tribute to the faithfulness and devotion of Ruth in the Bible. It encourages listeners to embody the same faithfulness and loyalty towards Israel and God.
Line by Line Meaning
Wherever you go, there I will go
No matter where you travel, I will be right there beside you
Wherever you live, it's there, that I shall live
I will always make my home with you, no matter where you choose to reside
O Israel, your people shall be my people
I am faithful to the Jewish people and will stand with them as a loyal member
Forever my love, your God shall be my God
I will love and believe in the God of Israel as my own, for all eternity
The vow that I take, I will never leave you
I pledge to never abandon you or break my promises to you
O for Zion's sake, Yeshua, I'll lay my life down
I am willing to sacrifice my life for the sake of Jerusalem and the Messiah Yeshua
Hear o Israel
Listen closely, Jewish community
This is my vow
I promise to always stand with you, no matter what
Israel
A declaration of love and loyalty to the nation of Israel
Ruth 1: 16-17
A biblical reference to the story of Ruth and her devotion to her mother-in-law, serving as a model for the song's message
Contributed by Benjamin K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
John S.
As a pastor, I'm writing a wedding message now at my desk. I just listened to this lovely piece to put my heart in the right mood. And now, wouldn't you know it, I have a lump in my throat and tears forming in my eyes. Praise God for the union of man and woman!
Sharleen Chen
Awesome many blessings🙏🏻
Marty Goetz
🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
Rose Baca
God fix my life.
Megan Hamilton
Love this! I have a playlist dedicated to hymns on my channel. I hope my songs touch people in the same way.
W M
What a spirit-led heart-felt song!! Thank you, Misha & Marty! You are great gifts!! Shalom! Shalom!
Battle Church Apostolic Ministry
Beautiful reminder of Ruth n her decision , God has honored her forever for it even with this song ❤️🙌🏾✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Linda Casablanca-Potter
So beautiful...Misha, God has blessed you with the same vocal beauty that He blessed your wonderful daddy with.....and with the same worshipful heart for the Lord. What a wonderful family you are blessed to be part of. God continue to bless you all.
H T
This song is so beautiful in so many ways. as a woman who has come to know, love, adore and cherish the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy One of Israel. The story of Ruth is so precious to me. It's TRUE. How perfect is that message to me. These words brings tears of relief, joy and assurance that this is the way walk in it. No looking back.
Misha's voice is too so sweet. just love listening to this song over and over.
Stacey Mosti
The music your family makes is beautiful!!!❤️