Lyrics
Verse 1
I have made you too small, in my eyes
O Lord, forgive me
And I've believed in a lie
That you were unable to help me.
But now O Lord, I see my wrong
Heal my heart and show yourself strong
And in my eyes, and with my song
O Lord, be magnified
O Lord, be magnified.
Chorus
Be magnified O Lord,
You are highly exalted
And there is nothing you can't do
O Lord, my eyes are on you, be magnified,
O Lord be magnified, O Lord be magnified
Verse 2
I have leaned on the wisdom of men
O Lord, forgive me
And I have responded to them
Instead of your light and your mercy
But now, O Lord, I see my wrong
Heal my heart and show yourself strong
And in my eyes and with my song
O Lord, be magnified
O Lord, be magnified.
Chorus (x2)
Be magnified O Lord,
You are highly exalted
And there is nothing you can't do
O Lord, my eyes are on you, be magnified,
O Lord be magnified, O Lord be magnified
Ending
O Lord be magnified
O Lord be magnified
O Lord be magnified
O Lord be magnified
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
"Be Magnified" is structured as a personal confession before it becomes a declaration of praise. Don Moen's lyric admits to a distorted view of God, describing a period of unbelief in which divine ability seemed diminished and human wisdom was trusted instead. The turn comes with recognition of that error, paired with a request for healing and a display of strength, language that recalls biblical prayers asking God to act visibly on behalf of a struggling believer.
The chorus answers the confession with exaltation, insisting nothing lies beyond God's capability and fixing attention back on him rather than on circumstance. The second verse repeats the pattern of the first, naming reliance on the counsel of people as a substitute for God's light and mercy, then returning again to the same request for a magnified view of God. The repeated ending, simply "O Lord, be magnified," functions as a closing act of worship, letting the song settle on adoration rather than resolution of the original doubt.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 34:3 The call to magnify the Lord together matches the song's repeated title refrain.
- 2 Chronicles 16:9 God shows himself strong on behalf of those devoted to him, matching the plea to "show yourself strong."