David Phelps - Mary, Did You Know Lyrics

Mary, Did You Know

Mary, Did You Know Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

The song "Mary, Did You Know?", performed here by David Phelps in a video released on December 22, 2023, explores the profound paradox of the Christmas story from the perspective of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene, the song presents a series of rhetorical questions posed directly to Mary, highlighting the astonishing future and divine nature of the child she held. It contemplates whether she, in her role as a young mother, fully grasped the magnitude of the miracles and divine power her baby boy would possess and ultimately demonstrate. The song's core meaning lies in juxtaposing the tender intimacy of a mother and child with the cosmic identity and mission of that child, emphasizing the hidden glory within the humble beginnings of Jesus' earthly life.

The lyrics journey through various aspects of Jesus' future ministry and identity as foretold in scripture and later witnessed in the Gospels. They ponder whether Mary knew her son would possess authority over nature, capable of walking on water or calming storms with a mere command, actions attributed to divine power. The questions extend to His healing ministry, asking if she knew He would restore sight to the blind. Furthermore, the song delves into His redemptive work, questioning if she knew He came to make her new and would ultimately deliver her, referencing the salvation He would provide to all who believe. The imagery of kissing her baby's face while kissing the face of God encapsulates the incredible truth of the incarnation – that the divine was made manifest in human form.

The powerful chorus serves as a declaration of the signs and wonders that would accompany Jesus' ministry, echoing prophetic expectations fulfilled during His time on earth. It speaks of the physical and spiritual transformation that would occur through His power: the blind regaining sight (Isaiah 35:5), the deaf hearing (Isaiah 35:5), the lame leaping (Isaiah 35:6), and the mute speaking (Isaiah 35:6), all praising God. It also asserts the ultimate power over death, stating that "the dead will live again," pointing towards Jesus' resurrection and the promise of eternal life for believers, as referenced in passages like John 11:25. These lines summarize the tangible impact of the Messiah's arrival on the world.

The song culminates by probing Mary's awareness of her son's ultimate identity and destiny. It asks if she knew this seemingly ordinary baby was the Lord of all creation, destined to rule nations. The question "Is Heavens perfect Lamb?" points directly to Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, a title rich with theological significance found in scripture (John 1:29, Revelation 5:6). The final, most profound question reveals the divine identity hidden within the sleeping child: "This sleeping child you're holding is the Great I AM!" This is a direct reference to God's self-identification to Moses in Exodus 3:14, signifying eternal, self-existent deity. The song leaves the listener contemplating the immense mystery and wonder of the incarnation, focusing on the incredible reality of God becoming a vulnerable baby held in a mother's arms, a truth central to Christian faith.