We’ll put our comments on this page in red text to distinguish from the title, scriptures and lyrics which come from jw.org. The text of the song will be marked in blue. Scripture quotations and Watch Tower publications will be quoted in black or gray.

Grant Us Boldness

There is really nothing in this song that any person of any Christian based religion should find objectionable. The comments below are merely points of interest about the unique beliefs that may have informed some of the specific wording of the song.  But this is not meant to imply that there is anything wrong with the wording. It is based on true Christian principles and the words do, indeed, reflect the importance and focus that many JWs give to their various forms of preaching activities

Those who are familiar with the history of Watch Tower published “Kingdom Songs” will likely be reminded of a song, “Forward, You Witnesses!” that goes back to the 1950 songbook, with a simplified version in 1966. It starts out with the words: “Firm and determined in this time of the end.” The song is credited to Erich Frost who survived a German concentration camp (Sachsenhausen). This song is currently number 17 in the latest songbook, although the “flavor” has been softened from the original. The 1966 version of that song is sung on this site about the Holocaust: http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/media_so.php?ModuleId=10005394&MediaId=3941

You can hear the music to “Grant Us Boldness” on jw.org here:

http://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/sing-to-jehovah-new-songs/137-grant-us-boldness/

(Acts 4:29)

(Acts 4:29) And now, Jehovah, give attention to their threats, and grant to your slaves to keep speaking your word with all boldness

As we tell about the Kingdom,

This song was released at the Annual Meeting on October 4, 2014 that was said to commemorate the 100th anniversary of start of God’s Kingdom in 1914. This may explain why the opening line appropriately recalls the “Kingdom” theme of the other releases from the same day. 

The release of a new song by this title may also be due to the new emphasis on “boldness” that comes from the recently updated “New World Translation” 2013 Revised edition which changed the translation “freeness of speech,” in Hebrews 10:35, to “boldness.” The revised NWT did this not just here, but in a few more places. The pre-2013 versions used freeness of speech about 22 times and now it is used about 15 times. It’s still very inconsistent, but 7 of those 22 places were changed to “boldness.” Acts 4:29, and several other verses, had already used the word “boldness” to translate the same word, well prior to the 2013 NWT, just as the 1611 KJV already had done.

The song is also reminds JWs that they are the ones with the special message and special mission that they believe has been entrusted to “his people” since 1914. Therefore, because of 1914, no one else is preaching the actual and true “gospel” today according to JWs. The true gospel must include the idea that Jesus has been enthroned in heaven. Note:

*** w92 12/15 p. 4 What Really Is the Gospel? ***
After Jesus’ death, his followers continued to preach the Gospel. Not only did they speak about the Kingdom but they added the happy news that Jesus had been resurrected to God’s right hand in the heavens and had offered the value of his perfect human life in behalf of mankind. As the one chosen by God to rule over all the earth as King of God’s Kingdom, he would be God’s Agent in destroying God’s enemies and in restoring the earth to a paradise.—Acts 2:32-36; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Hebrews 9:24-28; Revelation 22:1-5.
Today, the good news includes a further element. According to all the evidence of the fulfillment of prophecy, Jesus has now been enthroned, and we are living in the last days of this system of things. (2 Timothy 3:1-5; Revelation 12:7-12) The time when the Kingdom will act against God’s enemies is rapidly approaching. What better news could there be?

Note that the quote above explicitly claims that the current preaching about the Kingdom is different from first-century C.E. preaching that Jesus had already been resurrected as ruler at God’s right hand. When the article above says “As the one chosen by God to rule over all the earth as King of God’s Kingdom, he would be God’s Agent…” The phrase “would be” is very important here to JW thinking, because he was not yet considered to be ruling as King, then in the first century, according to Jehovah’s Witnesses. The context of Acts does not put Jesus’ titles into the future:

(Acts 5:29-31) . . .“We must obey God as ruler rather than men. 30 The God of our forefathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a stake. 31 God exalted this one as Chief Agent and Savior to his right hand, . . .

(Acts 17:6, 7) . . .: “These men who have overturned the inhabited earth are present here also, 7 . . .  saying there is another king, Jesus.”

Of course, other articles on this site present additional evidence that early Christians certainly did believe Jesus was enthroned in heaven and ruling as King — and that it was just as appropriate in the first century to preach that the time for the Kingdom to act was rapidly approaching.

As we witness for your name,

This, of course, ties back clearly to the name “Jehovah’s Witnesses” and serves, again, as a reminder to JWs that they are the only true religion. The unique and specially “chosen” nature of the ministry of Jehovah’s Witnesses is built into the name itself.

Of course, the real idea here is “as we witness for your name, Jehovah.” When so much of the context of this song is taken from Acts, many JWs might be reminded that Acts starts and finishes with the idea of witnessing for the name of Jesus, not Jehovah. Note:

(Acts 1:8) But you will receive power when the holy spirit comes upon you, and you will be witnesses of me in Jerusalem, in all Ju·deʹa and Sa·marʹi·a, and to the most distant part of the earth.”

(Acts 4:12-18) 12 Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.” . . . 17 . . . let us threaten them and tell them not to speak to anyone anymore on the basis of this name.” 18 With that they called them and ordered them not to say anything at all or to teach on the basis of the name of Jesus.

(Acts 28:31) preaching the Kingdom of God to them and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with the greatest freeness of speech [or, boldness], without hindrance.

 

The same idea is repeated often in Acts, although it clearly stands out as the theme when it is also the very first idea and the very last idea of the book of Acts. Further below, we will note again that the opening words of this song and the closing words also repeat the idea of “witnessing for his name,” although only the name Jehovah is used in the song, and Jesus is never named or even referenced.

There are many who oppose us

And who try to bring us shame.

These types of phrases once referred especially to violent persecution which Jehovah’s Witnesses (and the Bible Students before them) often suffered over in the years 1918, and 1939-1946. Since that time there have been several periods of persecution on a smaller scale, especially in countries where the work is banned by their respective governments (China, Korea, and majority-Muslim countries). Although violent outbreaks have also occurred, JWs more often suffer imprisonment related to missionary activities, smuggling literature into countries where distribution is illegal, or more often, conscientious objection to military service.

There have been clearly lower levels of violent persecution in the last 60 years when compared to the levels of persecution related to WW I and WW II . Incarceration levels for preaching activities and conscientious objection is also much lower in the last 60 years.

This brings up  brings up a question about why so many Watch Tower explanations of Revelation chapter 12 have tied the idea of Satan bringing woe to the earth and persecution to JWs to the idea that Satan knows he has a short period of time. The lack of persecution would, by the same logic, indicate that Satan either no longer thinks he has such a short period of time, or he has changed his methods.

The idea of trying to bring “shame” upon JWs, can refer to the same types of persecution and governmental limitations on Witness activities. It can also include the work of opposers who expose issues that embarrass the Witnesses in areas of untenable prophetic and chronological doctrines, often dangerous and inconsistent medical counsel, high levels of social control, hypocrisy, processes for dealing with child molesters that have protected the abusers instead of the abused, etc.

Even comments sent to this site and others like it show that many JWs consider this site to be on par with “persecution.”

However, the work of sites such as this one and information from those who might be considered “apostate” is not usually included in the idea of song’s theme: “Give Us Boldness.” That’s because there is no instruction among JWs to be bold in preaching or defending oneself against “apostate” information. In fact, JWs are instructed elsewhere to “run” from such information.

Running from something is not a typical method of displaying boldness. The average JW believes that this instruction to “run and hide” from evidence presented by opposers is for their own safety, or in order to follow Bible instructions. They do not realize that the motive for such instructions could just as well be “fear.” Fear of exposure, that is.

But instead of fearing men,

It’s really you we must obey.

So we beg you now for your spirit;

O Jehovah, hear what we pray.

This is good Christian counsel that is based on the experiences of the apostles in the book of Acts.

(Acts 5:29) . . .“We must obey God as ruler rather than men.

And JWs are trained to think of their particular types of preaching activities as such an important part of their life and ministry that many have truly been able to live up to this ideal in spite of real hardships. 

This idea is usually accompanied in the Scriptures with the promise of sending the holy spirit to give necessary strength. Even in the context of Acts 4:

(Acts 4:31) . . .and they were one and all filled with the holy spirit and were speaking the word of God with boldness.

(CHORUS)

Grant us boldness as we witness;

Help us overcome our fear.

Give us confidence and courage

So that all the world may hear.

The preaching work in most of its public forms, such as the house-to-house work, is impressive to non-JWs due to the obvious fact that it really does take a measure of boldness. Young JWs who often know that they will meet others from their school or other acquaintances overcome social fears through this type of preaching. As Witnesses become older and more experienced, they present themselves with poise in an activity that is akin to public speaking, which most persons fearfully shy away from.

Armageddon draws ever near,

But until that great day is here,

Grant us boldness as we witness.

This is our prayer.

The reminder to Jehovah’s Witnesses that they should preach boldly is often tied to the closeness of Armageddon, as it is here.  Usually that idea is tied to the idea that the preaching includes a warning work for others to be saved, and therefore they must get out there if people are to be saved in time before the end. This is quite likely implied to most Witnesses, even though the song does not say it explicitly. However, in this case that tie-in to the idea of warning other people in time is not made.

Therefore, the reminder of the closeness of Armageddon could just as well have been mentioned as a motivation for the Witnesses to preach, not just to save others, but to save themselves. The preaching activity has often been tied to a kind of “salvation by works” mentality that becomes all the more important to prove that the Witness is worthy of surviving Armageddon. The phrase just above “so that all the world may hear” keeps this from being strictly tied to “salvation by works” but it’s mentioned because so few Witnesses can clearly explain their witnessing activities without inadvertently admitting a “salvation by works” motivation.

2. Even though we may be fearful,

You remember we are dust.

Your assurance to support us

Is a promise we can trust.

The logical progression of the first two lines is problematic. It comes across as if it’s saying: “even though we are afraid, you remember that we are also weak, non-substantial and ready to crumble or be blown away like dust.” The actual logic expected to follow “even though” would more likely be something like: “even though we are afraid and we know (and humbly acknowledge) that we personally are only dust, your promise to support us makes us feel stronger and unafraid because we are trusting in your power, not our own.”

To be fair, the correct idea can be read into this, in the sense that because Jehovah knows that those who wish to preach his word are truly just dust, and it’s because he recognizes their lack of strength that he has made promises that he will provide the necessary strength.

Give attention to the threats

Of those who persecute and blame.

Give attention can be used somewhat euphemistically to mean that Jehovah is expected to “intervene against” the threats, but it also correctly implies that Christians should be patient, knowing that Jehovah takes note and doesn’t forget what Christians do, even if there is no intervention happening at the time.

Blame (and therefore an element of potential “shame”) implies something a little different from the typical elements associated with persecution and opposition. Prior songbooks never mentioned “shame” and “blame” without clearly showing that it was only about false accusations. But this new element of “blame” is likely associated with a new and unavoidable factor in the lives of  JWs. Due to the ease with which negative information can be spread, discovered, and used to embarrass JWs, many feel unprepared to deal with “blame” that is often aimed back at the JW.

(Remember that JWs have always held themselves to hold the moral high ground so that a typical element of their preaching and door-to-door sermons has always included blaming human, political, religious and demonic elements that are prevalent in the current wicked system of things.)

Today, however, there is much information that is easily available, even publicized, that does blame and shame many JWs. They can consider this a type of persecution, as long as they can believe it is used against them unfairly.

Stephen Lett for example, on one of the tv.jw.org monthly broadcasts (August 2015) just recently spoke about blame that accused the JW Organization of being lenient with child molesters and not as helpful as they could be in protecting molested children. He said that these accusations were “lies” and that they were from “lying apostates.” Only a few weeks later, in front of the Australian Royal Commission, it was revealed and admitted by Jehovah’s Witnesses, including by a member of the Governing Body, that the JW organization still had a lot of work to do in order to fix a situation that had gone on for many years exactly as these supposedly “lying apostates” had claimed.

In other words, it was the “lying apostates” who had been telling the truth and Stephen Lett, of the Governing Body who was mistaken, if not “lying.” But this song lyric may still reflect the idea that blame and shame is just another form of persecution to be expected now that the Internet tends to give equal coverage to those the JWs deem to be “lying apostates.”

May you help us all to continue

As we boldly speak in your name.

Again, there is nothing specifically wrong with any of these lyrics. The idea of “speaking boldly in your name” is likely intended as another indirect reference to the name “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” This was purposely made both part of both the first phrase and the last phrase of the song. Yet as noted above, the first and last ideas presented in the book of Acts emphasize being Jesus’ Witnesses and speaking boldly in the name of Jesus. 

(See also 1 Thess. 2:2; Heb. 10:35.)

(1 Thess 2:2) For although we had first suffered and been insolently treated in Phi·lipʹpi, as you know, we mustered up boldness by means of our God to tell you the good news of God in the face of much opposition.

(Heb 10:35) Therefore, do not throw away your boldness, which will be richly rewarded.

CONCLUSION

The song is scriptural. It is appropriate to the activities and beliefs of JW’s but would not be considered proprietary. Any Christian of any denomination could sing these words without feeling that they were only appropriate to JWs. The song does highlight an activity of JW’s which they can rightfully feel happy about, which is their success in their own specific types of ministry activities which no other large religion shares in at the same level of member participation.

The song touches on subjects and ideas that the average Bible reader would tie more closely to the commands and examples of Jesus and the apostles, not Jehovah. It’s a serious omission that the song never mentions Jesus, yet references the book of Acts for its lyrics.

REFERENCE

For reference the lyrics are repeated below without commentary: