Ellie Holcomb - My Portion and My Strength Lyrics
Lyrics
Your voice calmed the wind and the sea
Can you calm these storms inside of me?
Help me to stand
on the promise that You are holding my right hand
Help me to know
that even when I lose my grip You won't let go
Help me believe
that You will be my portion and my strength
Your voice gave the blind the gift of sight
Can you take my darkness and turn it into light?
Help me to stand
on the promise that You are holding my right hand
Help me to know
that even when I lose my grip You won't let go
Help me believe
that You will be my portion and my strength
Oooh (x6)
You'll be my portion and my strength
Oooh (x6)
Your voice called the man out of the grave
Can You breathe new life into this mess I've made?
Help me believe
that You will be my portion and my strength
Help me believe
that You will be my portion and my strength
You'll be my portion and my strength
Video
My Portion and My Strength
Meaning & Inspiration
Ellie Holcomb’s "My Portion and My Strength," released on August 19, 2014, as part of her acclaimed album *As Sure as the Sun*, stands as a profound testament to raw faith and vulnerable prayer. This song isn't just a collection of verses; it's a heartfelt cry for divine intervention, deeply rooted in the Christian tradition of seeking God amidst personal turmoil. It articulates the universal human experience of grappling with internal struggles, darkness, and past mistakes, placing them directly at the feet of a powerful and compassionate God, drawing on biblical narratives to affirm His capability and willingness to respond. The essence of the song lies in its direct appeal for strength and unwavering belief when everything else feels uncertain.
The song’s narrative unfolds as a series of petitions, each building upon the other, beginning with a stark contrast between God’s historical power and the individual's present need. The opening lines, referencing the calming of the literal storm, immediately pivot to a plea for peace within the soul: "Your voice calmed the wind and the sea / Can You calm these storms inside of me?" This evokes the biblical account in Mark 4:39, where Jesus silences a violent storm with a simple command, "Peace, be still!" Holcomb masterfully translates this historical miracle into a deeply personal prayer, acknowledging that while external chaos can be terrifying, the internal storms of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty can be equally, if not more, debilitating. This vulnerability sets the stage for a surrender that is both honest and hopeful, prompting the seeker to stand on divine promises.
Following this initial plea, the song anchors itself in fundamental biblical assurances. The request to "Help me to stand on the promise that You are holding my right hand" is a direct echo of passages like Psalm 73:23, "Nevertheless, I am continually with You; You hold my right hand," and Isaiah 41:10, "Fear not, for I am with you...I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." These verses paint a picture of intimate, unwavering divine support, regardless of the individual's capacity to maintain their own grip. This theme is further solidified in the next line: "Help me to know that even when I lose my grip You won't let go." This resonates with the profound security promised in John 10:28-29, where Jesus assures His followers that no one can snatch them out of His hand or His Father’s hand. This message profoundly encourages those who experience moments of doubt, weakness, or spiritual fatigue, reminding them that divine faithfulness is not contingent on human perfection. The central, recurring request, "Help me believe that You will be my portion and my strength," is drawn directly from Psalm 73:26, a powerful declaration of God's sufficiency even when human flesh and heart fail. He is not merely a source of temporary aid but an eternal inheritance and an enduring power.
The song progresses to illustrate more facets of God’s power and the depth of human need. "Your voice gave the blind the gift of sight / Can You take my darkness and turn it into light?" directly references miracles like the healing of the man born blind in John 9. Spiritually, this plea extends beyond physical sight to encompass clarity, wisdom, and understanding in times of confusion or spiritual blindness. It's a prayer for God to illuminate paths, reveal truth, and transform inner shadows into the guiding light of His presence, a sentiment beautifully captured in 2 Corinthians 4:6, "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has made his light shine in our hearts..." This profound imagery emphasizes the transformative power of God’s voice, not just in ancient miracles but in the present-day struggles of the human spirit.
The culminating petition in the final verse escalates the stakes: "Your voice called the man out of the grave / Can You breathe new life into this mess I've made?" This powerful invocation of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11) is arguably the song's most potent statement of desperation and hope. It’s a recognition that some "messes" we create feel like death sentences—situations so dire, mistakes so profound, or spiritual dryness so complete, that only a miracle of resurrection can offer redemption. This imagery also powerfully connects to the Valley of Dry Bones in Ezekiel 37, where God breathes life into what seems utterly hopeless. Holcomb’s lyrics beautifully encapsulate the longing for spiritual revival, for a fresh start, and for the life-giving breath of God to transform what appears irrevocably broken. Ultimately, the song serves as a profound, unwavering prayer for belief itself—the belief that the God who controls nature, heals the sick, and raises the dead, is indeed "my portion and my strength," capable of meeting every need, calming every storm, and resurrecting every lost hope. This unwavering focus on God’s power and presence makes "My Portion and My Strength" not just a song, but a deeply moving act of worship and an inspiring anthem for anyone navigating the complexities of faith and life.