Brandon Lake - Hard Fought Hallelujah Lyrics

Album: Hard Fought Hallelujah - Single
Released: 08 Nov 2024

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Lyrics

Yeah I don’t always feel it
But that’s when I need it the most
So I’mma 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
There’s days when a praise comes out easy
And days when it takes all the strength I’ve got

I’ll bring my hard-fought heartfelt
Been-through-hell hallelujah
I’ll bring my storm-tossed, torn-sail
Story to tell hallelujah
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 Halleluja
‘Til it's been through the fire
My head heart and hands are feeling heavy
But that's when I lift them just a little higher

Songwriters: Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick, Benjamin Hastings

Video

Brandon Lake - Hard Fought Hallelujah (Music Video)

Meaning & Inspiration

Brandon Lake's "Hard Fought Hallelujah," released on November 8, 2024, is a powerful anthem that delves into the profound reality of faith tested and refined through trials. This song isn't about an easy or effortless devotion; instead, it captures the raw, often arduous journey of holding onto praise even when emotions and circumstances pull in the opposite direction. The core message resonates with the biblical understanding that genuine worship is not always born of comfort but frequently emerges from the crucible of struggle. The lyrics speak to the candid admission that "I don't always feel it," acknowledging the human struggle to muster spiritual strength when weary. Yet, this very struggle becomes the catalyst for a more resilient and authentic worship, as Lake declares his intention to "keep on singing 'til my soul catches up with my song." This echoes the sentiment found in Psalm 42:11, which encourages the soul to hope in God, even amidst despair.

The song's narrative is one of deliberate, intentional worship in the face of adversity. The contrast between praise that comes "freely" and praise that "costs" encapsulates the spiritual discipline required to offer worship as an act of will rather than solely an emotional response. This is the "hard-fought, heartfelt, been-through-hell hallelujah" that becomes the song's defining refrain. It’s a praise that acknowledges the storms of life, the "storm-tossed, torn-sail" experience, yet refuses to be silenced. This powerful imagery calls to mind the Apostle Paul's declaration in Philippians 4:11-13, where he learned to be content in any circumstance, attributing his strength to Christ. The patience, grace, and faithfulness of God, celebrated throughout the song, are the very foundations upon which this hard-fought praise is built, reminding us of God's steadfast love, as detailed in Lamentations 3:22-23.

"Hard Fought Hallelujah" profoundly understands that spiritual victory is often forged in the fires of testing. The acknowledgment that "my head, heart, and hands are feeling heavy" but that "that's when I lift them just a little higher" is a testament to the determined spirit of one who knows God's strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). This song doesn't shy away from the difficulty of faith; rather, it elevates the worship that emerges from it. It’s a testament to the truth that even when our outward circumstances are challenging, our inner declaration of God’s goodness and faithfulness can remain steadfast. The repeated invocation of "It is well" amidst these struggles underscores a deep-seated trust in God’s sovereignty and goodness, mirroring the enduring peace found in knowing that "all things work together for good to those who love God" (Romans 8:28). This is not merely a song about enduring hardship; it is a song about actively choosing worship as a declaration of God's enduring character, even when the journey is anything but easy.