Derek Johnson - Bright As You Lyrics
Lyrics
Verse 1
You rise like the blazing sun
Shining Your glory down on everyone
We stand with hands lifted high
We're in awe of You
Our hearts awakened by Your perfect love
Sealed with Your Spirit and a holy touch
The sound of Heaven ringing in our hearts
We're in awe of You
Pre-Chorus
There is nothing that could ever shine as bright as You
No sun or moon is gonna light up like You do
Chorus
You are the giver of life
You are the day and the night
And we will live our lives
To burn for You, to burn for You
Verse 2
Only One can make the broken whole
Pouring Your joy into a hungry soul
You give Your all, You give Your everything
We're in awe of You
We're here to sing about Your saving love
Declare Your glory and Your greatness, God
You are the hope we can hold on to
We're in awe of You
Pre-Chorus
There is nothing that could ever shine as bright as You
No sun or moon is gonna light up like You do
Chorus
You are the giver of life
You are the day and the night
And we will live our lives
To burn for You, to burn for You
Bridge
You light up our lives
Like a fire in the night
Our hearts come alive in Your hands
Would You set us ablaze
We the light of Your face?
And we will forever burn for You
Chorus
You are the giver of life
You are the day and the night
And we will live our lives
To burn for You, to burn for You
To burn for You, to burn for You
Video
Bright As You
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on July 29, 2018, Derek Johnson's "Bright As You" immediately positions itself as a powerful declaration of God's unrivaled majesty and the human response of worship and devotion. The song is a passionate exploration of divine light and life, articulating a profound sense of awe and commitment to the Creator. It’s a prayer and a promise, a calling out to God for more of His presence and a pledge to live a life reflecting His glory, rooted deeply in the foundational truths of Christian faith.
The song’s core message revolves around God as the ultimate source of light, life, and hope, incomparable to anything in creation. The opening lines, "You rise like the blazing sun, Shining Your glory down on everyone," immediately evoke biblical imagery of God's illuminating presence, reminiscent of passages like Malachi 4:2, which speaks of the "sun of righteousness" rising with healing in its wings, and John 8:12, where Jesus declares Himself "the light of the world." This omnipresent glory elicits a natural response of worship, with "hands lifted high," signifying reverence and submission as seen throughout the Psalms (e.g., Psalm 63:4). The awakening of hearts by "perfect love" and being "sealed with Your Spirit" points directly to the transformative experience of salvation and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, a central theme in Ephesians 1:13 and Romans 5:5, where God's love is poured into our hearts through the Spirit. The "sound of Heaven ringing in our hearts" speaks to the spiritual peace and joy that accompanies a life surrendered to God, a foretaste of eternal communion.
The pre-chorus, asserting "There is nothing that could ever shine as bright as You, No sun or moon is gonna light up like You do," unequivocally establishes God's supreme radiance. This echoes Isaiah 60:19-20 and Revelation 21:23, both depicting a future where God Himself is the ultimate light, rendering the sun and moon unnecessary. This concept isn't merely poetic; it's a theological statement about God's uniqueness and ultimate authority. The chorus then crystallizes this worship into a life mandate: "You are the giver of life, You are the day and the night, And we will live our lives, To burn for You, to burn for You." This acknowledges God as the Creator and sustainer of all existence, as stated in Genesis 1 and Colossians 1:16-17, and declares a total dedication to Him. To "burn for You" is a powerful metaphor for fervent passion, unwavering zeal, and a life consumed by divine purpose, akin to the early disciples empowered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3-4) and the call to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2).
Verse 2 continues to magnify God's redemptive power and provision. "Only One can make the broken whole, Pouring Your joy into a hungry soul" speaks to the divine capacity for healing and restoration that is uniquely God's, a promise found in Psalm 34:18 and Isaiah 61:1. He satisfies spiritual hunger, much like Jesus declared Himself the "bread of life" in John 6:35, and gives joy that serves as strength (Nehemiah 8:10). The recognition that "You give Your all, You give Your everything" implicitly references the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, demonstrating God's boundless love and generosity (John 3:16, Romans 8:32). This understanding compels the worshiper to "sing about Your saving love, Declare Your glory and Your greatness, God," fulfilling the scriptural command to proclaim His deeds among the nations (Psalm 96:3). Finally, identifying God as "the hope we can hold on to" solidifies His role as the anchor for our souls, providing steadfast assurance in a volatile world (Hebrews 6:19, Romans 15:13).
The bridge section serves as both a confession and a fervent prayer, intensifying the song's spiritual commitment. "You light up our lives, Like a fire in the night" portrays God as a guiding and comforting presence, much like the pillar of fire that led the Israelites (Exodus 13:21) or the lamp unto our feet (Psalm 119:105). The declaration "Our hearts come alive in Your hands" reflects the spiritual rebirth and transformation that occurs through divine intervention, speaking to a radical shift from spiritual deadness to vibrancy (Ezekiel 36:26). The plea, "Would You set us ablaze, We the light of Your face?" is a profound request for the Holy Spirit's empowerment, not just for personal experience but to become reflections of God's light to the world (Matthew 5:14, 2 Corinthians 3:18). This culminating desire leads to the ultimate pledge: "And we will forever burn for You." "Bright As You" is more than a song; it's a dynamic act of worship, designed to ignite a similar fire of devotion within all who engage with its timeless and powerful message of surrender, adoration, and resolute purpose in the light of an incomparable God.