Worship leaders Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, along with Elevation Worship, released the track, "The Blessing: Live" on March 20. The live audio recording of the song landed number three on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart in the week of April 4. The powerful, inspirational hymn echoed the message of hope and peace across every land as the world battles the dreaded COVID-19. The worship song posted the highest-chart position on Digital Song Sales in more than four years. "The Blessing: Live" audio version was released after the live video premiered on March 6. The video has more than six million views on YouTube. The song was written by Jobe, Carnes, and Elevation Worship's Steven Furtick and Chris Brown during a writing session at Elevation. The new hymn was composed on February 27, Thursday. The following Sunday, March 1, Jobe, Carnes, and Elevation choir sang it for the first time at the Elevation Ballantyne campus in Charlotte, North Carolina. Five days later, the "The Blessing: Live" video was released.How "The Blessing" came about
Singer-songwriter, Jobe, during her interview with Billboard, said they had no idea the timing of the collaboration "would fall at such an incredibly sensitive time for our globe". She was referring to the current pandemic covering the world.
She further said that people now need to be reminded of the promises in the Scriptures - promises of peace and strength. She shared her belief that God is good and "loves to protect and bless His people". Jobe further claimed that "we hope this song will bring great peace in the midst of uncertainty and sickness".
Talking to The Christian Beat, the Grammy award nominee shared how she was moved, and how fast the hymn came about. Jobe believed that the message is timeless and appropriate during this season of uncertainties. She knew the new song had to be released at once, to take effect on people's hearts and spirits immediately. She wanted the song to relay the message: "Do not be afraid; God is with you".
Elevation's Chris Brown explained that people nowadays lack encouragement. He went on saying the song is "relentless in the encouragement and blessing it delivers over them" from the word of God.
As reported by Nielsen Music/ MRC Data, "The Blessing" started at No. 1 on Christian Digital Song Sales with 12,000 downloads sold in the week ending March 26. The song landed at No. 4 on the all-genre Digital Song Sales chart on its debut. It is the highest rank attained for a faith-based track since Dec. 2015. The previous spot was held by The Voice's winner Jordan Smith with the track "Great is Thy Faithfulness". His version of the Christian band Selah's song arrived at No. 3 on the charts.
The powerful song "The Blessing" gained 1.3 million streams in the U.S., thus landing number 14 on Christian Streaming Songs. It also marked the fourth top 10 in Hot Christian Songs chart for both Jobe and Elevation Worship and is the first time for Jobe's husband, Carnes. The collab earned the highest debut for all of them.
The soulful hymn drew more popularity with the cover of Selena Gomez, together with her friends Anna and Liz Golden. Gomez posted the video on Instagram and has now more than seven million views.
