Only The Lover Sings: Meditations on the Woman at the Well

by Matthew Clark

The face-to-face encounter between Jesus and the woman at the well sets the stage for both Matthew Clark's musical album and this series of thoughtful essays from Andrew Roycroft, Lanier Ivester, Théa Rosenburg, Adam Whipple, Heidi White, Jessie Todd, Adam R. Nettesheim, Amy Baik Lee, Junius Johnson, and Rex Bradshaw. Only the Lover Sings, the first book/album duo of The Well Trilogy, explores the ways God invites every one of us to bravely turn towards Jesus and be surprised by the gladdening light welling up in his face–a meeting that overflows as a life of grateful song.

Genres: Theology

180 pages, Paperback

Published May 4, 2022

About the author

Matthew Clark is a singer/songwriter and storyteller from Mississippi. He has recorded several full length albums, including a Bible walk-through called “Bright Came the Word from His Mouth” and “Beautiful Secret Life.” Matthew hosts a weekly podcast, “One Thousand Words – Stories on the Way”, featuring essays reflecting on faith-keeping. A touring musician and speaker, Matthew travels sharing songs and stories. Whether it’s a song, podcast, meal, or an essay, Matthew loves to “make things that make room for people to meet Jesus.”


“The Well Trilogy” is Matthew’s current project: 3 full-length album/book combos releasing over 3 years. Each installment is made up of 11 songs and a companion book of 13 essays written by a variety of contributors exploring themes around encountering Jesus, faith-keeping, and the return of Christ.

Part One, “Only the Lover Sings” & Part Two, “A Tale of Two Trees” are available everywhere now!

Part Three, “Where the River Goes” is here!

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though it's only January, I feel confident this will be my favorite read of 2025. I enjoyed every single page. ❤️

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had heard of Matthew Clark through social media before I met him in 2023 at a weekend C. S. Lewis retreat in the Houston, Texas, area. At that time, Matthew’s books, ONLY THE LOVE SINGS and A TALE OF TWO TREES had been published and I had decided that I would wait until the entire trilogy was published before purchasing them.

When I initially received and read ONLY THE LOVER SINGS, the cover art immediately reminded me Calvin Miller’s The Singer Trilogy consisting of THE SINGER, THE SONG, and THE FINALE. I remembered enjoying my reading of Miller’s trilogy but unlike Miller’s, Matthew’s trilogy not only contains great stories written by a collaboration of other writers consisting of a pastor, homemaker, songwriter, teacher, writer, and scholar
but ALSO great songs written and played by Matthew!

I REALLY enjoyed reading the stories and listening to the beautiful music. One of the best quotes toward the beginning in ONLY THE LOVER SINGS was

“The more truthful we become in facing our sin, grief, and fear, the more of ourselves becomes touchable as we turn to face Jesus, whose face sheds a light that both reveals and heals” (p. 30)

which for me set the tone of the first novel. I definitely enjoyed the first chapter’s handling of shame as well as the mentioning of C. S. Lewis throughout the book (Matthew is a big Lewis fan!). I look forward to reading the remaining two novels and being even more inspired in my walk with Christ!

[Justin Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book of essays is a wonderful companion to my friend Matthew Clark's album Only The Lover Sings. Matthew was kind enough to give me a signed copy of this recently at the C. S. Lewis Oxbridge Event in Oxford, England. Of all the incredible essays, my favorite is Clark's titled "Gentleness Towards Each Face." This quote from the essay below really stood out to me,
"When we turn to Face Jesus, then we have beheld mirar: 'the look in God's eyes' towards us. Seeing his face mirrors back to us the truth about where we came from and where we are going. Something we thought impossible suddenly becomes wondrously, miraculously possible: out of our apparent barrenness, new birth into God's family." -Matthew Clark

[Christina]

From the Little Book Big Story weekly email by Thea Rosenberg, blogger at littlebookbigstory.com:

“In other news! I had the immense privilege of contributing an essay to songwriter Matthew Clark's anthology, Only the Lover Sings. This week, he invited me to read a portion of my essay on his podcast. It's a short episode, only fifteen minutes, and in it he tells you everything you need to know to fall in love with his Only the Lover Sings project.”
Podcast link: https://www.matthewclark.net/s4e11-on...

[Monica Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Samaritan woman’s story is our story too. She is the whole human race. We’ve all been hurt by others and done our share of hurting them too, only to return with an empty water jug. But this woman urges us to keep turning our faces toward God, who has made ‘the light of the knowledge of God’s glory’ appear in this world in the face of Jesus. It is only in that face, in the fathomless wells of his loving eyes, that our thirst can truly be met. Only the light of his face can shed light on the truth about us: that we are His beloved.”

[Kaleojen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed this book so much I’m reading it a second time. I’ve enjoyed reading the different selections Matthew chose to put together. I’ve found myself in an unusual place as I await the proceedings from a divorce started last year spring, and a car accident last year. This book has brought joy as I’ve been able to pick it up multiple times. I’m looking forward to the other selections he will write.

[Gianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matthew's book is beautiful and gentle, a book that sees the reader, and helps us each realize our seen-ness by God.

Each of the essays are by different authors, and I read the whole book slowly, picking it up week to week whenever I felt in need of the reminder that God sees us. This book will do your heart good.

[M. E. Duffield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is refreshing, honest, and hopeful. Matthew is brilliant with words and shares life and thoughts honestly. Other brilliant people chime in with essays about differing subjects, my favorite being Heidi White or Thea Rosenburg.

[G. Salter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given the subject matter, it's perhaps not surprising that many of these essays become just as much about the prodigal son parable (very similar themes to what we see in the story of the woman at the well), or about the authors own experiences with rejection and brokenness. Each brings something interesting and unexpected to the table, and I found it all provokes me to rethink in how I feel about grace, forgiveness, and love.