Ask Me Why — Micheal Bethany
Micheal Bethany, the author of Ask Me Why, is a worship leader, mentor, producer, and artist, based in Fort Worth, Texas. He serves at Gateway Church in Southlake. He is the founder of an organization dedicated to equipping and mentoring worship pastors and teams globally.
Released in 2023, Ask Me Why served as the lead single in Micheal’s album, Overflow. The song is a testament of God’s faithfulness and as to why we praise our king. It was recorded originally at The Kings University at Gateway Church. It was later rerecorded in 2025 with guest artists Dwan Hill and The Choir Room as apart of his Overflow Acoustic Experience project. In March of 2026, David Jennings made a cover to it with a medley and praise break during a live service at First Pentecostal Church of North Little Rock.
In an interview, Lead Worship Well asked Micheal why he decided to lead the album Overflow with Ask Me Why and another one of his top hits, He Is Lord:
“Ask Me Why’ is an exciting song about my testimony and it’s filled with so much joy.
I wanted to start these releases with a song that people could sing in their own personal spaces and also sing in congregations to rejoice while reflecting on God’s goodness.”
Biblical Basis
Ask Me Why is a testament and reminder to God’s faithfulness. In the song, we are given examples and look at biblical refrences to worship. The song is a wonderful visualization of Old Testament worship.
Verse one starts off the song strong,
Some people think that I’m crazy
Some even call me a fool
But I found a love so amazing
If only, if only they knew
In verse one, Bethany talks about how the world looks at him. However he states that Gods love trumps what others think about him. As Christians, in our worship, we often look around and question if people are going to look at us weird and judge us. In 1 Corinthians 1:18 it says, “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved.” Bethany is stating that to an unbeliever passionate and charismatic worship can look strange, weird, some may even go as far as saying it is unbiblical. This can be found also in 1 Corinthians 2:14, where Paul talks about unbelievers not being able to understand what comes from Gods spirit since the unbeliever does not have Gods spirit. He looks at it as foolishness “since it is evaluated spiritually.” Bethany exclaims through song that he doesn’t worship Christ because of Christian rules, but because he has experienced God’s love. In 2 Corinthians 5:13 it says, “For if we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.” His testimony gives him a reason to worship “foolishly” for Christ.
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It then leads straight into verse two,
All of the times He’s provided
The miracles, wonders and signs
So I cannot give Him half of my worship
And that should be no surprise
Bethany transitions into all that he has witnessed and experienced. Biblical worship is a response to what God has done. Deuteronomy chapter 8 is a great representation and reminder of remembering God’s faithfulness, which is essentially what verse two is about. In this chapter, the Israelites are instructed to remember how the Lord led them through the wilderness. While during the 40 years they were being tested and humbled, God remained faithful and led them to the promised land. The theological idea of Bethany not being able to give half of his worship is wholehearted. Mark 12:30 states to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” and labels it as the greatest commandment. In this verse, Bethany is stating that because of God’s faithfulness and all that He has done, wholehearted worship comes as a natural response and is expected.
The chorus says,
So ask me why I worship the way that I do
’Cause I’ve got a reason to
Praise Him like I know I’ve got nothing to lose
’Cause I’ve got a reason to
To start the chorus, Bethany is giving the listeners a question to ask. Bethany stating that he has a reason to worship is one of the strongest biblical ideas in the song because it connects scripture to testimony with worship. A similar concept behind the chorus can be found in 1 Peter 3:15 that says, “but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” Christians have so much to gain by following Christ, and when we worship we have nothing to lose cause nothing else matters. This is essentially what Bethany is saying. In Philippians 1:20–21, Paul demonstrates that honoring Christ is the ultimate goal, no matter the circumstances of life. God has given us the greatest gift in Christ, therefore we can worship wholeheartedly with nothing to lose.
Verse three moves into saying,
I’ve got a peace overwhelming
A joy that I can’t put in words
For all of the blessings He pours out from heaven
I’ll give Him what He deserves
This verse shifts the song from all Christ has done externally to what has been produced internally. Bethany states that he cannot explain the peace and joy he has recieved. This is directly in line with Philippians 4:7, where Paul talks about a peace that humans cannot understand. I think that is one of the most special things we can receive as believers. However, a major takeaway from this verse is that God’s peace isn’t going to mean everything is perfect but that we have it because we are His. Just like in John 14:27 where Jesus tells His disciples that He does “not give to you as the world gives”, differentiating between His peace and the world's peace. Romans 15:13 says, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” The peace and joy Bethany is describing in this verse has God as the source, which He gives to us as believers. The joy and peace is ultimately rooted in Christ, instead of circumstances.
The bridge moves into examples of worship and biblical representation of being changed,
Clap my hands, move my feet, get undignified
I was lost, now I’m found, Jesus saved my life
I was bound, now I’m free, walking in the light
That’s the reason why, that’s the reason I
Bethany starts off giving biblical representation, founded in Psalm 47:1, the primary scripture calling for physical applause in worship, that states “Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with a jubilant cry.” He then moves to how David danced before the Lord. This is found in 2 Samuel 6:14–22, David had undressed himself and he said to Michal “I will dance before the Lord, and I will dishonor myself and humble myself even more.” David’s presentation was considered being undignified before the Lord. In the next part of the bridge, Bethany uses a lot of illustrations from Scripture to describe the transformation that comes with salvation. Starting off in Luke 15 with the three parables Jesus teaches about being lost then found. Bethany uses the central Christian message of salvation through Jesus Christ, when he states Jesus saved his life. He moves onto being set free. John 8:36 says, “So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.” This is the idea that Jesus has rescued us from sin, not given us the freedom to sin. Bethany finishes the bridge refrencing Ephesians 5:8, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”. Walking in the light is living openly and faithfully in relationship with Christ. In the bridge, Bethany answers the question stated in the chorus. Why do you worship like that? Because Jesus changed my life.
Bethany adds a tag towards the end,
So look what the Lord has done
Look what the Lord has done
It’s not hard to see it
Just look what the Lord has done
This tag shifts the perspective of the song from personal testimony to a public testimony. It invites others to recognize all that God has done. In Psalms 66:16 it says, “Come and listen, all who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for me.” We see this as an invitation to tell the work of what God is doing. Gods goodness is not private, we are to tell about it.
While we see there is a lot of biblically sound principles, ideas, and lyrics, we cannot miss the musicality in the song. Micheal Bethany wrote and designed this song to be used for a congregation. Therefore, it is not a difficult song and works well when used in congregational worship. The song is in 4/4 and in the key of B. While the key can work very well for a male or female leader, though the higher notes of the song might reach the edge of a congregation’s range. Therefore, taking the song down a half or whole step could be a safer option. The song has a repetitive structure with rhythmic energy, engaging the congregation more.
Overall, this song is not one that I have heard in churches or that many people know. While the lyrics are biblically sound and accurate, I feel most Baptists would not introduce the song due to it being more pentecostal in nature. I believe this song would not harm a congregation — it would possibly stretch Baptists out of their non-charismatic bubble. The song can also be used for times of good reflection and praise within the congregation.
