Judah Smith’s feature on Lana Del Rey’s new album is everything we needed to hear today.
The Churchome pastor was featured on Rey’s Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd. His interlude is a four-and-a-half minute long clip from a sermon that Rey recorded on her phone from a service she attended. (Yes, she attends the church and yes, she got his permission to use it.)
He preaches on being “a man in love, not a man in lust.” Smith explores how he’s prayed for the desires of his heart to change and turn toward God, quoting Psalm 8 (The Passion Translation).
At first listen, it may seem like Rey didn’t know what she was doing by including Smith’s interlude on her album. But a closer look at the sermon reflects a message that Rey has been singing for a while now. Rey and Smith alike acknowledge that at their roots, there is selfishness and envy in their lives that they’re desperate to get rid of. Whether it’s a sermon or a song, the messages they share with the world is just as much for themselves as it is for anyone else.
Smith sums this idea up in his conclusion: “I used to think my preaching was mostly about You, and you’re not gonna like this, but I’m gonna to tell you the truth: I’ve discovered my preaching is mostly about me.”
Smith’s feature was a shock to, well, pretty much everyone. Rey is typically outspoken about many areas of her life, but religion isn’t one of them. And while she’s made numerous references to religion in her music, Smith’s interlude is the most direct reference to Christianity she’s made thus far.
Of course, Rey’s fans have had mixed feelings about Smith’s interlude, although some seem to enjoy his message.
me converting to christianity after listening to judah smith interlude pic.twitter.com/G1Axeu4QWj
— ⬖ (@ryousmashups) March 23, 2023
Oh the Judah smith interlude is soooo good.
If you don’t see the vision I can’t help you
— grady (@midnightsea1989) March 24, 2023
Wow today I saw the light and I now I totally get Judah Smith interlude it puts a lot of perspective and honestly it was good
— Steph🌊 (@sycamoretree_1) March 24, 2023
This isn’t the first time Smith’s words have been featured on a pop star’s album. Back in 2021, Justin Bieber included Smith on several tracks for his Freedom EP.
