Verse 1
Ground that's unmoving
His word stronger than the waves
Stronger than the waves
This house that I'm building
Will stand even in the rain
Even in the rain
Chorus
I wanna build my life
On the rock of Christ
A foundation unshakable
Shining with the light
For the world to see
A house that lasts eternity
Verse 2
Tested with fire
Revealed the heart behind was seen
The heart behind was seen
Will I pass through it?
Receive all in store for me
All in store for me
Chorus
I wanna build my life
On the rock of Christ
A foundation unshakable
Shining with the light
For the world to see
A house that lasts eternity
Interlude
Bridge
This will be, my legacy
A life lived for Him, a life lived for Him
In my heart, eternity
A life spent with Him, a life spent with Him
This will be, my legacy
A life lived for Him, a life lived for Him, ohh
In my heart, eternity
A life spent with Him, a life spent with Him
I want to build my life
Shining with the light
Chorus
And I wanna build my life
On the rock of Christ
A foundation unshakable, ohh
Shining with the light
For the world to see
A house that lasts eternity
Outro
This will be, my legacy
A life lived for Him, a life lived for Him
Pat Barrett - Build My Life (feat. Chris Tomlin) (Live)
Build My Life Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
"Build My Life" by Bethany Worship is a worship song centered on the theme of establishing one's life on a steadfast spiritual foundation. The lyrics, provided here as Verse 1, Chorus, Verse 2, Chorus, Bridge, Chorus, and Outro, articulate a clear message of reliance on Christ. The song gained significant traction, with a notable live version featuring Pat Barrett and Chris Tomlin, released on December 20, 2018, contributing to its widespread recognition within worship communities.
The core meaning of the song is derived directly from its title and recurring chorus: "I wanna build my life / On the rock of Christ / A foundation unshakable." Verse 1 speaks of a "Ground that's unmoving" and a "word stronger than the waves," suggesting stability and divine power against life's challenges. This foundation allows the "house" being built to "stand even in the rain," emphasizing resilience rooted in faith. Verse 2 explores the testing of this foundation, describing how being "Tested with fire" reveals the true nature, or "heart behind," and asks if one will "pass through it" to receive what is intended.
This concept of building on a solid foundation finds resonance in various biblical passages. A primary reference is the parable of the wise and foolish builders found in Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 6:46-49. Jesus contrasts building a house on the rock versus building on sand, highlighting that only the house built on the rock (symbolizing obedience to His words) can withstand storms. The idea of testing by fire mentioned in Verse 2 aligns with scriptures like 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, which speaks of believers' work being tested by fire to reveal its quality, and 1 Peter 1:7, discussing faith being tested by fire and proving more precious than gold.
The Bridge expands the theme from building a stable present life to envisioning a lasting future legacy. It declares, "This will be, my legacy / A life lived for Him," focusing on eternal perspective with "In my heart, eternity / A life spent with Him." This section reinforces the idea that a life built on Christ has eternal significance. The repeated Chorus and the Outro reiterate the central commitment to building on the "rock of Christ," emphasizing an "unshakable foundation" and a life "shining with the light / For the world to see," which aims to be "A house that lasts eternity." The song, through its structure and lyrical progression, guides the listener through the process of committing to this spiritual construction, facing trials, and securing an eternal hope, culminating in the powerful statement of legacy in the Outro.