Prolific singer/songwriter Phil Wickham continues to gain momentum with his modern style of vertical worship and poetic lyrics. Leading corporate worship nationwide, Wickham, known for hits such as "You’re Beautiful" and "Divine Romance," describes the daily truths he is learning with a tender yet poignant voice and a passionate cry of worship.

I loved Phil Wickham’s critically acclaimed sophomore album Cannons and the distinguished singer/songwriter finds his voice on his third studio album, Heaven and Earth, which finds him creating melodies that are infectious with contemplative and honest messages of surrender and abandon.

For the first time in his career, Wickham felt like he had a story to tell, writing specific songs to remind the Church of the reality of the Gospel and who we are created for. I can imagine singing many of these songs with fellow believers and although Phil hasn’t really been a radio fixture in the past, these melodies are off the charts and any test audience will have a hard time not giving these songs 5 star ratings.

The first single off the album is the song “Safe,” featuring MercyMe’s front man Bart Millard, who just so happened to be passing through San Diego as Wickham was recording the song.

I got the chance to interview Phil about “Safe.” You can listen to our entire interview here.

Please tell me the story behind writing this song?

I meet a lot of people out on the road who feel like they know me from listening to my songs. I have been hearing all kinds of stories of people losing hope, especially in these hard economic times. I remember the story of a guy named John who owned a contracting business. Things started getting really tough and he lost his workers and he got behind on his house payments. He got to a pretty broken place where all he could do was rely solely on God. He knew that God would return his faithfulness.

One day, he had signs made out of cardboard boxes on the side of his truck saying that he’d do anything for work. All of a sudden, people started approaching him with work and in one day he gave away about 30 to 40 business cards to people looking to hire him. He felt so blessed and came up to me to tell me his story and we were both crying about how God had blessed his faithfulness.

Please tell me about any scripture verses that you used to write the song?

Matthew 8:25-27: Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

What do you consider to be the takeaway message for listeners?

Put all of your faith and hope in Jesus, knowing that Jesus can work miracles. We have lots of examples in the bible of Jesus healing the lame, giving sight to the blind, bringing the dead to life and calming the raging sea. No matter what we are worried about or going through, bring it to Jesus and He will keep you safe in His arms.

Here are the lyrics:

Verse:
To the one who's dreams are falling all apart
And all you're left with is a tired and broken heart
I can tell by your eyes you think your on your own
but you're not all alone

Have you heard of the One who can calm the raging seas
Give sight to the blind, pull the lame up to their feet
With a love so strong and never let you go
oh you're not alone

Chorus:
You will be safe in His arms
You will be safe in His arms
'Cause the hands that hold the world are holding your heart
This is the promise He made
He will be with You always
When everything is falling apart
You will be safe in His arms

Verse 2:
Did you know that the voice that brings the dead to life
Is the very same voice that calls you to rise
So hear Him now He's calling you home
You will never be alone

Bridge:
These are the hands that built the mountains
the hands that calm the seas
These are the arms that hold the heavens
they are holding you and me

These are hands that healed the leper
Pulled the lame up to their feet
These are the arms that were nailed to a cross
to break our chains and set us free

The lyrics of “Safe” serve to encourage, strengthen and remind listeners that they are not alone as they say, “You will be safe in His arms, You will be safe in His arms, the hands that hold the world are holding Your heart, this is the promise He made He will be with You always, when everything is falling apart you will be safe in His arms.” When you sing along with this great song, think of Jesus saying “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Have faith, don’t be afraid and know that with Jesus, you will never be alone.