Brian Doerksen - Can I Count The Ways Lyrics
Lyrics
Can I count the ways I love you
Oh I'm not so sure I can
Cause the number keeps on climbing
There's so many things about you
Like the way you hold my hand
You're the reason that I'm smiling
Oh, every time I see you, I fall in love
And oh, just to be beside you is enough
And oh, every time I hold you in my arms
I am home
Could I measure how you love me
Oh I'm not so sure I can
It would rise up like a mountain
There's so many ways you've helped me
You are always by my side
I'm so grateful for each moment
Oh, every time I see you, I fall in love
And oh, just to be beside you is enough
And oh, every time I hold you in my arms
I am home
Every little thing about you
Makes me the lucky one
To live within this love
Oh, every little thing about you
Inspires songs like this
I'm grateful to have lived with you, with you
Can I count the ways I love you
Now I know for sure I can't
Cause the number keeps on climbing
Video
Can I Count The Ways
Meaning & Inspiration
Brian Doerksen's "Can I Count The Ways" arrives as a tender testament to boundless affection, a characteristic thread woven through much of his celebrated musical catalog. Though specific release details might vary, the song stands as a timeless piece, inviting reflection on the profound depths of love experienced and given. At its surface, the song paints a beautiful portrait of human intimacy, describing an overflowing love for another person so vast it defies quantification. The simple, honest lines capture that universal feeling of being utterly captivated and grateful for a beloved individual, noting the small, cherished gestures and the profound sense of belonging they bring.
Delving deeper, especially when viewed through the lens of faith that often informs Doerksen's artistry, "Can I Count The Ways" transforms into a poignant reflection on our relationship with God. The initial verses, where the speaker marvels, "Can I count the ways I love you / Oh I'm not so sure I can / Cause the number keeps on climbing," resonate powerfully with the ever-deepening love and devotion a believer develops for their Creator. As we journey with God, our appreciation for His character, His grace, and His unwavering presence grows exponentially, making any attempt to quantify our affection for Him feel insufficient. The appreciation for "the way you hold my hand" and recognizing the beloved as "the reason that I'm smiling" beautifully mirrors the constant comfort and joy found in God's guiding presence. Psalm 73:23 reminds us, "Nevertheless, I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand," speaking to this intimate, guiding connection, while Psalm 16:11 affirms, "In Your presence is fullness of joy."
The song then shifts perspective, asking, "Could I measure how you love me / Oh I'm not so sure I can / It would rise up like a mountain." Here, the lyrics echo the immeasurable, incomprehensible nature of God's love for humanity. This love isn't just a sentiment; it's an active, sustaining force. The imagery of a love rising "like a mountain" evokes the vastness described in Ephesians 3:18-19, which speaks of grasping "how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." This divine love, always present and unfailing, is the reason we can say, "There's so many ways you've helped me / You are always by my side / I'm so grateful for each moment." God’s faithfulness, as promised in Deuteronomy 31:6 – "He will never leave you nor forsake you" – becomes the bedrock of such gratitude, acknowledging His constant provision and companionship through every season of life.
The repeated chorus offers profound insights into the spiritual experience: "Oh, every time I see you, I fall in love / And oh, just to be beside you is enough / And oh, every time I hold you in my arms / I am home." To "see" God can mean encountering Him in His creation (Romans 1:20), in His Word (Psalm 119:105), or in the community of believers (Matthew 18:20). Each encounter renews our affection, drawing us deeper into devotion. "Just to be beside you is enough" speaks to the sacred satisfaction found in communion with God, echoing Psalm 84:10, where "a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere." The sense of "home" found in His embrace is a spiritual sanctuary, reflecting verses like Psalm 90:1, which declares, "Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations," and the promise in John 14:23 of Christ making His home with those who love Him.
The bridge, "Every little thing about you / Makes me the lucky one / To live within this love / Oh, every little thing about you / Inspires songs like this," serves as a powerful testament to divine inspiration. For a songwriter like Doerksen, this line directly attributes his creative outflow to the profound impact of God's character and love. It aligns with the psalmist's call to "sing to the Lord a new song" (Psalm 96:1), born from a heart overflowing with gratitude and wonder. The closing sentiment, "I'm grateful to have lived with you," is a beautiful confession of a life lived in constant, appreciative relationship with the divine. "Can I Count The Ways" ultimately serves as an anthem of profound thankfulness, a gentle yet powerful reminder that both our love for God and His love for us are immeasurable, continuously unfolding, and infinitely inspiring. It encourages reflection on the countless blessings and the unending presence of God, prompting us to lean into that spiritual embrace where we truly find our home.