As a follow-up to her hit songs "Soar" and "Spirit of the Living God," Meredith Andrews returned with her long-awaited live worship album Faith and Wonder, which features the standout songs, “A Million Saints” and “Faith and Wonder.” The album was produced by her husband, Jacob Sooter, who also co-wrote five songs on the EP.
Meredith consistently writes and sings piercing, relevant, and moving songs. What's great about Deeper is how Meredith invites listeners into her life by sharing what's on her heart. She dwells on prayerful yearnings, lays out spiritual truths, and worships God all at the same time.
Meredith's excellent songwriting, singing, and captivating songs have made her my favorite female worship songwriter and singer. "A Million Saints," was co-written with worship leader Phil Wickham. True to the heart of the project, this song is about the global church, lifting one voice with one heart. I had the chance to speak with Meredith about another one of her songs, “Who Could,” our 14th behind-the-song discussion together.
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
Right now, in this pandemic, knowing that this world is not our home is so important. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
I’ve been camping out on this piece of scripture for awhile. It was something I needed to hear. I’m not going to look at circumstances in the natural. I’m going to ask the Lord to give me eyes to see beyond what’s happening now. I’m believing that God has something for us in today's troubles of eternal value.
So much of “Who Could” comes from the Book of Revelation. It's a picture of living creatures and elders around the throne in heaven, singing “worthy is the Lamb who was slain.” If I can stay in that place where my eyes are fixed on heavenly things, I'll see the gravity of my song joining with heaven’s song. It’s an immediate perspective shift.
Jacob and I wrote this song with our friend Eddie Hoagland. We were talking about Revelation 5, and how it talks about how Jesus was the only one worthy to open a scroll. The song came straight from that passage and the concept is “Who could?” and “Who is worthy?”
Who is the only one who is perfect and sinless? It is Jesus. The lamb who was slain; He purchased men for God. I love that expression. Essentially, we were talking about writing a song that is a heaven song, painting the picture of the lamb who is worthy of our worship.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Revelation 5:12(ESV): "Saying with a loud voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain; To receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!'"
1 Peter 2:24(NIV): "He himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; By His wounds, you have been healed."
John 15:13(NKJV): "Greater love has no one than this, then to lay down one's life for his friends."
John 1:12(NIV): "Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."
Hebrews 12:2(NKJV): "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Philippians 2:9-11(VOICE): "So God raised Him up to the highest place and gave Him the name above all. So when His name is called, every knee will bow, in heaven, on earth, and below. And every tongue will confess "Jesus, the Anointed One, is Lord," to the glory of God our Father!"
What is the takeaway message?
We released songs from Faith and Wonder in 2019. It’s always so humbling to be a part of putting words into the mouths of believers who'll sing these words back to God. I count that as a great responsibility. I’m going to be held accountable for that.
Do my songs align with the Word of God? Do they portray His character and His truth? There'll always be new songs and new ways of saying things to the Lord. I kept these thoughts in mind when writing “Who Could.” It was important to me to paint a picture of words that we often say and to find a way to say them that will reach out and grab someone’s heart. That’s who God is; He is our creator and savior. He was before all things, and through Him, all things are held together. Using the two words, 'who' and 'could,' I hope people’s hearts are elevated.
Jesus gave up His throne to seek and to save the lost. He laid down His authority and died on a cross. That is who Jesus is and why He came. More than anything, I want this project to honor Jesus.
Writing this song was an opportunity to get in a room full of people, sing new music over and with them, and encounter the presence of God together. It's a picture of heaven to me: all of us joining in and singing, ‘worthy is the Lamb.’ It's not just about me or my community, it's the church of the world: all nations and all generations singing the same thing--lifting up one name, Jesus.
Lyrics
Who could speak to the void, and draw out the day
Who can reign over time, and infinite space
Who would give up His throne, to heal and to serve
And lay down His rights, to rescue the world The Lord of all, the King of kings
His glory falls, the whole earth sings Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
Slain before the world
Who reigns forevermore
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Who reigns forevermore Who would carry the cross and suffer as man
Who could feel every sin driven through His hands
Who could open the tomb once it was closed
Who could walk out on death, leaving His grave clothes Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
Slain before the world
Who reigns forevermore
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Who reigns forevermore
He reigns, He reigns forevermore Who could open the scroll
At the end of the age
He poured out His blood
He's the name above all names The Lord of all, the King of kings
His glory falls, the whole earth sings
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
Slain before the world
Who reigns forevermore Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Who reigns forevermore
He reigns, He reigns forevermore, yes Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb, yeah
Worthy is the Lord
Worthy is the Lord
Worthy is the Lord
His name is Jesus
Worthy is the Lord
Worthy is the Lord
Worthy is the Lord
His name is Jesus
Worthy, worthy, worthy
Worthy, worthy, worthy
Worthy, worthy, worthy
Jesus
Worthy, worthy, worthy
Worthy, worthy, worthy
Worthy, worthy, worthy
Jesus, You are worthy Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
Slain before the world
Who reigns forevermore
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Who reigns forevermore
Closing Thoughts
Faith and Wonder is one of the most spine-tingling female-led worship projects I've experienced; each song is completely anointed, spirit-led, and emotionally captivating. No weak songs, just a masterpiece. Meredith sings with an amazing passion, with unashamed praise and gratitude to our savior; something that's very inspiring and emotionally moving. All her songs are poignant and powerful with earnest, worshipful lyrics.
"Who Could" takes me to the throne room in heaven. I love how prayers and songs of praise are a communal experience that we can all share. I think the Lord wants us to long for heaven. When we've been indwelled by the Holy Spirit, we have a personal relationship with the comforter and a peace that surpasses understanding to know that this fallen world isn't all that we are living for, ultimately.
We're promised an eternity with God that is so much greater than anything we've experienced on earth. The biblical descriptions of heaven are so glorious. And, this song gives listeners a foretaste of heaven.
We need to fully trust God. Proclaim this faith statement with confidence: "worthy is the Lamb." What a powerful expression of what it means to accept that God never leaves or forsakes us, as His followers. He's all we need.
"Who Could" totally moves me in my personal worship time. It's an incredible song for the church. You'll be raising your heart and hands in worship along with it. Clearly, some truths that we can rally behind is that God is our father. He sent His son, Jesus, to die for our sins. Afterward, He rose again and defeated death. We can all say hallelujah and celebrate those truths together while singing along with this song.
The song's enthusiasm and energy are infectious and a great way to commit to King Jesus. So many people can relate to the song's message. I was immediately hooked by its emotional and prayerful tone. Take heart and stand amazed. Be amazed by God's presence. And know that His Holy Spirit is indwelling in each of us who are followers of Jesus.
Worshipping God is a reverent act, with awe and wonder of His greatness. According to Psalm 2:11, we're called to "serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling."
Meredith has been called to lead songs for the church in very singable styles, putting these biblical words of awe and reverence of our King of kings and Lord of lords into the minds, mouths, and hearts of believers. Followers of Jesus can sing every word and agree with the beautiful sentiments of this great song.
God is worthy of all our praise and adoration. He tells us in the bible that with faith, we can do anything through Christ. I'm completely convicted by the strong lyrics and find immense comfort in this song, filled with biblical truth.
As we prepare our hearts for Easter, my soul longs for the gathering of the saints, elders, living creatures, and angels in heaven where we will all sing to Jesus, as said in Revelations 5:12 (NKJV): "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing."
Until then, you can sing this song as a foretaste of eternity, loudly exclaiming, “The Lord of all, the King of kings/His glory falls, the whole earth sings/Worthy is the Lamb/Worthy is the Lamb/Slain before the world/Who reigns forevermore.” Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a longtime fan of Christian music, an avid music collector, and credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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