Creation knows the voice
That spoke into the void
The breath that brought the dust to life
And sang the stars to form
The darkness fears the voice
That drove it back before
And though the night is long
I know Your light
Will drive it back once more
One word from You
Things change on Your authority
Your word it’s true
Things change on Your authority
My fight is not my own
It’s end is in Your hands
I worship You because I know all things
Must bow to Your command
Will heaven not prevail
And strongholds not be moved
Will spirits not be silenced
And cower at His rule
For if my God is for me
Then what have I to fear
And I will not deny Him
The glory that is His
Heaven will prevail
And strongholds will be moved
Spirits will be silenced
And cower at His rule
I know my God is for me
So what have I to fear
For nothing will deny Him
The glory that is His
Authority | Live | Elevation Worship
Authority Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Elevation Worship's song "Authority," presented in a live video released on May 18, 2020, is a worship declaration centered on the supreme power and dominion of God. The song's core message unfolds as a reflection on God's creative power, His historical and ongoing victory over darkness, and the believer's security found in His strength rather than their own. It moves from acknowledging God's cosmic authority to applying that truth to personal and spiritual battles, establishing faith in His word and rule.
The lyrics articulate the foundational belief that God's voice is the source of all existence, recalling the moment creation was spoken into being. This divine command is depicted not only as initiating life and form but also as actively repelling darkness. The song builds on this historical power to assert present and future hope, declaring confidence that the same authority that acted in the beginning continues to work, driving back darkness and bringing change. The central declaration reinforces this theme, stating that circumstances are altered and reality shifts solely based on God's authority and the truth of His word.
This emphasis on God's power transitions to the believer's perspective on struggle. The song asserts that personal fights are not won through individual effort alone but are ultimately resolved by God's hand. This surrender leads to worship, founded on the certainty that everything in existence must eventually yield to God's command. The lyrics pose rhetorical questions that serve as declarations of faith, affirming the inevitable triumph of heaven, the dismantling of spiritual strongholds, and the silencing of opposing forces in the face of God's rule. The concluding verses shift these questions into confident statements, cementing the assurance that because God is sovereign and on the side of the believer, there is nothing to fear, and His glory will undeniably prevail.
The themes explored in "Authority" resonate deeply with several scriptural truths. The opening lines reflect Genesis 1, where God speaks creation into existence. The concept of God's word having transformative power is a recurring biblical idea, seen in passages like Isaiah 55:11. The assertion that darkness fears God's voice and light drives it back aligns with biblical portrayals of God as light and the conqueror of spiritual darkness (John 1:5, Colossians 1:13). The declaration that all things must bow to His command echoes Philippians 2:10-11, which describes every knee bowing before Christ's authority. The powerful rhetorical question, "For if my God is for me, then what have I to fear," is a direct reference to Romans 8:31, a cornerstone verse about God's unwavering support for believers. The confidence in strongholds being moved and spirits being silenced points to biblical teaching on spiritual warfare and the power believers have in Christ to overcome demonic opposition (2 Corinthians 10:4, Ephesians 6:12).
Ultimately, "Authority" serves as a powerful declaration of faith, shifting the focus from human limitation to divine omnipotence. It is an inspirational anthem that calls worshippers to place their trust entirely in God's sovereign power, reminding them that the same voice that spoke the universe into being is the one that brings about change, overcomes darkness, and guarantees the final victory, assuring believers that their hope is firmly grounded in the unshakeable authority of God.