“God With Us” is my favorite song from the album
All That Is Within Me by MercyMe. The band that brought us “I Can Only Imagine”, “Word Of God Speak” and “Bring The Rain” has really touched my heart with their newest song “God With Us”. Right from the opening imploring question:
“Who are we, that You would be mindful of us, what do You see, that’s worth looking our way?”, I find myself praying and singing along with this amazing song as it really expresses a deep desire of my heart.
The song is based on Psalm 103, verses 1-5 (NASB):
Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
“And all that is within me bless His holy name.”-Psalm 103:1 Bart Millard from MercyMe says: “Is that possible? Can my life be only consumed with things that bless God? No it can’t. Because of me. I am the problem. I am imperfect. I have fallen short. But thanks to Christ I can sure try. The beauty of grace is that we get another chance! The God I worship does not stand there with His nose in the air telling us we may as well give up because we have already messed up. On the contrary. He is cheering us on! Reminding us that He is greater than our flaws! My life is not perfect, but it is blessed. And the best I can do is try to have all that is within me bless Him in return.”
Bart continues: “I guess the underlying theme of the whole album is us trying to be a grateful people that God ever looked our way to begin with. The song “God With Us” is the first song we wrote for the album, that we kind of built everything else around. It’s become a really special worship song to us, and I hope that it really ushers a lot of people into the throne room of Christ through worship.”
Here is another way to read that
same passage from The Message:
O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I'll bless his holy name! O my soul, bless God, don't forget a single blessing! He forgives your sins—every one.
He heals your diseases—-every one. He redeems you from hell and saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy--a paradise crown. He wraps you in goodness—-beauty eternal. He renews your youth-—you're always young in his presence.
What a beautiful picture of our hope in Christ. By giving Our Lord all that is within us, by blessing God, the literal meaning of the Hebrew word bless is “to kneel”, we are overwhelmed by God’s love and mercy in return. Bart’s description of God “cheering us on” is so moving and uplifting. I can’t help but be reflective and joyful at the same time while singing these amazing lyrics.
Lyrics to God With Us
Who are we, That You would be mindful of us
What do You see, That's worth looking our way
We are free, In ways that we never should be
Sweet release, From the grip of these chains
Like hinges straining from the weight
My heart no longer can keep from singing
All that is within me cries, For You alone be glorified
Emmanuel, God with us
My heart sings a brand new song
The debt is paid these chains are gone
Emmanuel, God with us
Lord You know, Our hearts don't deserve Your glory
Still You show, A love we cannot afford
Like hinges straining from the weight
My heart no longer can keep from singing
Such a tiny offering compared to Calvary
Nevertheless we lay it at Your feet
I hope you feel the same joy and hope in Christ and remember to “keep singing Emmanuel, God with us” and gratefully accept that gift of God’s love that you freely receive from accepting Him as your Savior.
May God bless you and I love how this song reminds me to give God “all that is within me”.
