We’re experiencing a season of praise anthems in Christian music. It’s biblical. In the book of Psalms, there are many songs of God’s people celebrating Him during times of rejoicing and thanksgiving. But do you know what other kinds of songs are in the Psalms? Songs that praise God during times of pain and hardship.
Songs of praise emerge after navigating difficult experiences and waiting on God to respond. Neither praise song is better or worse than the other. We need both in our relationship with God. It’s the second type of praise song that “Hard Fought Hallelujah” by contemporary artist Brandon Lake fits into, and it’s so needed in our worship repertoire today.
The word “hallelujah” is derived from a Hebrew word that means “praise the Lord.” In Psalm 42, David commits to praising God even though his soul is discouraged and he can’t feel God’s presence as he is used to feeling it. In Psalm 71, the psalmist intertwines his desperate cries for God’s help and protection with praises to God for His goodness displayed throughout the psalmist’s life.
That kind of praise isn’t easy. As Brandon sings in the first verse of this song, we don’t always feel like praising God, especially when we’re hurting, angry, or struggling. However, we can sing until our souls catch up with our song. The hard-fought hallelujah is a beautiful offering of praise to God; it pleases Him. And it reminds us of who God is when our circumstances try to make us forget that truth.
If your hallelujah feels hard-fought today, let this song encourage you to bring your offering of praise to God, even through pain, struggle, and weakness.
Psalm 40:1-3 (NLT): “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me from the pit of despair, the mud, and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.”
Lyrics
Yeah, I don’t always feel it
Yeah, but that’s when I need it the most
So, I’ma keep on singing
‘Til my soul catches up with my song There’s times when my hands go up freely
And times that it costs, oh-oh
There’s days when a praise comes out easy
Days when it takes all the strength I got I’ll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt
Been-through-hell hallelujah (ooh, ooh)
And I’ll bring my storm-tossed, torn-sail
Story-to-tell hallelujah, oh
‘Cause God, You’ve been patient
God, You’ve been gracious
Faithful, whatever I’m feeling or facing
So I’ll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt, it-is-well hallelujah, whoa-oh
Hallelujah (ooh, ooh), hallelujah I’ve wrestled with the darkness
But I’m tryin’ to reach for the light
Yeah, the struggle keeps me honest
And it breaks down the walls of my pride ‘Cause faith isn’t proven like gold
‘Til it’s been through the fire, eh-eh
My head, heart, and hands are feeling heavy
But that’s when I lift them just a little higher I’ll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt
Been-through-hell hallelujah (ooh, ooh)
I’ll bring my storm-tossed, torn-sail
Story-to-tell hallelujah, whoa-oh
God, You’ve been patient
God, You’ve been gracious
Faithful, whatever I’m feeling or facing
I’ll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt, it-is-well hallelujah, oh
Hallelujah, hallelujah (ah, ah, ah, ah, ah) I’ll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt
Been-through-hell hallelujah (hallelujah)
I’ll bring my storm-tossed, torn-sail
Story-to-tell hallelujah, whoa-oh
God, You’ve been patient
And God, You’ve been gracious
Faithful, whatever I’m feeling or facing
I’ll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt, it-is-well, hallelujah (ooh)
Oh, hallelujah (mm, eh-ah, eh)
Hallelujah Oh-oh, oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh, hallelujah, oh, hallelujah, halle-
Halle-, mm-mm
Oh, hallelujah
Jasmin Patterson is a lifelong Christian music fan passionate about helping others connect with Christ. Serves in college ministry and loves to write for seekers and believers, helping them discover and live biblical Christianity.
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