With songs shaped by the truths of Scripture, Marty Goetz has spent years leading audiences into meaningful worship, both worldwide and at The Cove.
This Dec. 15, guests at Christmas at The Cove will be led in worship by Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter Marty Goetz, who has been called a “modern-day Psalmist.” For decades, Marty has drawn listeners into deeper worship through melodies rooted in God’s Word. In this Q&A, Marty reflects on how Scripture shapes his songwriting, what it means to minister with his family, and the prayers resting on his heart this Christmas.
Q: Your music is known for weaving Scripture into worship and you’ve been called a “modern-day psalmist.” How has God used His Word to shape your ministry throughout the years?
A: First, allow me to say that I’m gratified to be known for weaving Scripture into worship. In essence, Scripture is worship. My first composition was putting a musical setting to the well-known passage, “Psalm 23.” From then on, that became my pattern for writing music to verses from the Bible.
When David, along with others, wrote the Psalms, they were worshiping. Hence, putting music to their words seems to be an excellent way to collaborate with them in giving praise and honor to the Lord. In a world of excellent and gifted songwriters I think that God’s Word being the basis of what I do has given me the opportunity to be, what some people call, a “modern day Psalmist.” This is a role God has given me; a gifting for which I will be eternally grateful.
Q: You’ve ministered in many different venues—from churches to conferences to worship gatherings. What have you learned about how God meets people through music in all these places?
To this day, I am not sure how God meets people through our music in these various venues, but what I have learned through the years is that the Lord can speak to people like “deep calling to deep” (see Psalm 42:7) through what we do, simply through His presence in that place and situation. Only He knows the hearts of the listeners and I’ve been given no special information as to how He uses the music to accomplish what He desires in each and every heart.
However, I know—in my heart—that He has given me the privilege to be a vessel and an instrument for Him. A friend of mine used to say in regard to public ministry, “You touch Him and He will touch the people.” This is an axiom to which I ascribe now and in all the days [I have] left … serving the Lord in this life.
Q: You collaborate often with your daughter, Misha. How has worship shaped your family life, and what does it mean to you to minister together?
Misha has been singing and ministering with us pretty much since the day she was born. My wife, Jenny, and I cannot recall a time when she was not part of what we were doing in and for the body of Messiah. We never forced her or even highly encouraged her to follow in our footsteps, yet that is what she is doing—and doing with passion, excellence, and faithfulness. When she was very young, after serving in music at a Christian retreat center, Misha remarked to us—and I paraphrase—our family is a ministry. We couldn’t agree more.
In recent years, my daughter and I have written some songs that have opened up doors for us in unexpected places. We collaborated on a composition based on the book of Esther titled “For Such a Time as This.” That song led to Misha singing her “Aaronic Benediction” from Numbers 6—the well-known priestly blessing—over a crowd of almost 100,000 people on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
It means the world to me and to my wife that our one and only daughter is carrying on what began in our lives way back in the late ‘70s. A Hebrew phrase, “L’Dor V’Dor,” describes it best: “From generation to generation.” Thank You, Lord, for giving us the joy and blessing of seeing that come true in and through our lives.
Q: As you think about the meaning of Christmas and your time at The Cove this year, what reflections and prayers are on your heart for those who will join you?
A: As Jewish believers in Jesus, Jenny and I love celebrating the birth of our Messiah. We didn’t grow up with Christmas traditions, so we’ve always viewed this season through the lens of the “Festivals of Light.” Chanukah, the Feast of Dedication, was the holiday we observed as children. But since coming to faith in Yeshua—Jesus—the celebration of Christmas has become a great joy to us. It is always a wonder to see and hear, especially in the beautiful songs of the season, that the whole earth is glorying in the advent of the Redeemer of Israel, the Savior of the world.
It has been an honor and a privilege for me to participate in Christmas at The Cove. Jenny and I desire that, this year, we will experience a fresh wind of His Spirit, leading us to an appreciation that Jesus has been born in each one of us.
Our prayer for our time together is that the Lord would reveal to each of us how to be, as Oswald Chambers says, “a Bethlehem for the Son of God.” May He find us all welcoming His presence in our lives and growing in Him in order to become more like Him, to the glory of our Father in Heaven. This is my Christmas wish for 2025.
Christmas at The Cove is currently fully booked, but you can still join the waiting list. You can also explore other upcoming events—such as a Personal Spiritual Retreat or Women’s Bible Study—taking place at The Cove in the new year. Learn more and plan your visit at TheCove.org/events.