Bill Gaither - I Believe Help My Unbelief Lyrics
Lyrics
I believe, help thou my unbelief
I take the finite risk of trusting like a child
I believe, help thou my unbelief
I walk into the unknown, trusting all the while
I long so much
To feel the warmth that other seem to know
But should I never feel a thing, I claim Him even so
I believe, help thou my unbelief
I walk into the unknown trusting all the while
I long so much
To feel the warmth, that others seem to know
But should I never feel a thing, I claim him even so
I believe, I help thou my unbelief
I walk into the unknown trusting all the while
I walk into the unknown trusting…
Video
Bill Gaither - I Believe, Help Thou My Unbelief (Lyric Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
"I Believe, Help Thou My Unbelief," released on September 28, 2019, is a profound musical expression of a faith that grapples with doubt, a theme deeply rooted in Christian experience and Scripture. The title itself is a direct echo of the plea made by the father of a demonically possessed boy in the Gospel of Mark, who, upon Jesus' declaration that all things are possible to him who believes, cried out, "I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24). This raw and honest confession forms the bedrock of the song's message, acknowledging that faith is not always a seamless experience but often a conscious choice made in the face of uncertainty. The lyrics articulate a deliberate step into the unknown, a conscious decision to trust even when the tangible evidence or emotional affirmation might be absent. This resonates with the biblical call to walk by faith and not by sight, as Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:7, reminding believers that their spiritual journey is guided by unseen realities rather than solely by what can be perceived through the senses. The song beautifully captures the tension between the desire for a profound, palpable spiritual connection – "to feel the warmth that others seem to know" – and the resolve to hold onto that faith regardless of emotional fluctuations. This mirrors the steadfastness called for in Hebrews 11:1, which defines faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." The acknowledgment that one might "never feel a thing" and yet still "claim Him even so" is a powerful testament to a faith that is not contingent on feelings but on a deeper commitment to God's character and promises, irrespective of personal emotional landscapes. This unwavering declaration, "I claim Him even so," is a profound act of surrender, mirroring the posture of Abraham, who "against hope believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations" (Romans 4:18). The repeated affirmation, "I believe, help thou my unbelief," serves as a constant prayer, a humble recognition of human frailty and dependence on divine grace to sustain belief. It’s an ongoing process, a daily recommitment to trust, reflecting the Lord's Prayer’s petition, "forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us" (Matthew 6:12), implying a continuous need for divine intervention and renewal in our spiritual walk. The song’s focus is squarely on the internal wrestling and ultimate decision to commit, making it a deeply relatable and inspiring anthem for anyone navigating the complexities of faith in a world that often demands immediate certainty.