Ben Cantelon - The Mountain Lyrics
Lyrics
We have come to meet with You O God
We can hear You calling
In this place, will You draw near to us
Every heart is calling
Lead us up the mountain
Lead us up the mountain
High into Your presence
Where Your glory shines
All we need is found in You alone
You're the King of glory
Shining bright for all the world to see
Jesus, King of glory
With hearts abandoned we will
Boldly approach Your throne
To stand with You in glory
And worship You alone
We join the choir of angels
Caught up in endless praise
Our God is strong and mighty
He shall reign
Open up the heavens
Open up the heavens
As we lift You higher
Let Your glory shine
Video
The Mountain // Ben Cantelon // The Ascent Official Lyric Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Ben Cantelon’s "The Mountain," released as part of "The Ascent Official Lyric Video" on September 16, 2016, is far more than a simple worship track; it stands as a profound spiritual journey set to music, inviting people into an intimate encounter with the Divine. From its opening declaration, the song establishes a collective yearning for God’s presence, articulating a deep-seated spiritual hunger to meet with the Creator. It captures the essence of a soul’s cry, a communal petition to draw near, echoing the ancient psalmist’s longing, "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God" (Psalm 42:1-2). This foundational desire sets the stage for a compelling narrative of spiritual ascent.
The central metaphor of "The Mountain" immediately draws the worshipper into a rich biblical landscape. The repeated call, "Lead us up the mountain / Lead us up the mountain / High into Your presence / Where Your glory shines," serves as both a prayer and a vision. Throughout Scripture, mountains are consistently portrayed as places of divine encounter and revelation: Moses met God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19), Elijah heard God on Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19), and Jesus was transfigured on a high mountain (Matthew 17). This imagery symbolizes leaving the mundane behind to ascend to a higher plane of communion, seeking not just a fleeting glimpse but a sustained immersion in God's manifest glory. It speaks to a pursuit of holiness and intimacy, reminding one of Psalm 24:3-4, which asks, "Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart." The song acknowledges that reaching such a sacred space requires divine leading, a humble request for God’s guidance into His very presence.
As the song progresses, its focus sharpens on the sufficiency and supremacy of Christ. The affirmation, "All we need is found in You alone / You're the King of glory / Shining bright for all the world to see / Jesus, King of glory," shifts the communal yearning to a declaration of faith in Jesus. This segment anchors the spiritual journey firmly in Christ, recognizing Him as the singular source of all provision and the ultimate revelation of God’s splendor. This resonates with the New Testament truth that "my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). The title "King of glory" harks back to Psalm 24, where it heralds the triumphant entry of the Lord, a title fully embodied by Jesus, through whom God’s glory is not merely seen but personally experienced and made accessible to all humanity (John 1:14).
The bridge of "The Mountain" then inspires a profound confidence in approaching God: "With hearts abandoned we will / Boldly approach Your throne / To stand with You in glory / And worship You alone / We join the choir of angels / Caught up in endless praise / Our God is strong and mighty / He shall reign." This powerful section is a direct echo of Hebrews 4:16, which encourages us to "with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." It is a beautiful articulation of the New Covenant reality, where access to God is granted through Christ’s sacrifice, transforming fear into bold communion. The vision expands beyond individual experience to a universal, cosmic worship, imagining oneself joining the "choir of angels" in ceaseless adoration (Revelation 5:11-12), bridging earthly worship with the heavenly realm. The declaration "Our God is strong and mighty / He shall reign" serves as an unwavering affirmation of God's eternal sovereignty and omnipotence, a bedrock of faith for those on the spiritual ascent.
Finally, the song culminates in an earnest plea for divine manifestation: "Open up the heavens / Open up the heavens / As we lift You higher / Let Your glory shine." This is not a mere request but a fervent prayer for a fresh outpouring of God's Spirit and a tangible revelation of His presence, akin to Isaiah 64:1, "Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down." It expresses a deep desire for God to break through and display His power and splendor in unmistakable ways. The phrase "As we lift You higher" underscores the transformative power of exalting God through worship; it is an act of humble adoration that, by faith, invites a greater manifestation of His presence and grace. The ultimate aim is for "Your glory [to] shine," not just for individual experience but for a world in need of seeing God's character and power. "The Mountain" thus stands as a vital anthem for a generation seeking to move beyond superficial faith into a deep, transformative encounter with the living God, compelling hearts to pursue Him with unwavering devotion and expectation.