Gaither Vocal Band - I'll Worship Only At The Feet of Jesus Lyrics
Lyrics
I went to visit the shrine of plenty,
But found it stores all filled with dust,
I bowed at alters of gold and silver,
But as I knelt there they turned to rust.
So I'll worship only at the feet of Jesus,
His cup alone, my holy grail,
There'll be no other gods before Him,
Just Jesus only will never fail.
The call of fortune made me a pilgrim,
To journey to things promised us,
But as I climbed the promise faded,
And wind blew lonely all through the night.
So I'll worship only at the feet of Jesus,
His cup alone, my holy grail,
There'll be no other gods before Him,
Just Jesus only will never fail.
Just dessert dust and empty shadows,
All promises that turned to lies,
The gods offer fail and betray me,
You alone are truth and life.
So I'll worship only at the feet of Jesus,
His cup alone, my holy grail,
There'll be no other gods before Him,
Just Jesus only will never fail.
Just Jesus only will never fail
Video
Gaither Vocal Band - I'll Worship Only At The Feet Of Jesus (Lyric Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
The Gaither Vocal Band, celebrated for their impactful contributions to gospel music, released a profound declaration of faith with "I'll Worship Only At The Feet of Jesus." This powerful anthem became available on 2004-01-01 08:00:00 as a standout track on their revered compilation, *The Best of the Gaither Vocal Band*. The song resonates as a spiritual autobiography for many, charting a journey from the pursuit of worldly satisfactions to the ultimate discovery of enduring truth and purpose in Christ alone. It articulates a common human experience of seeking fulfillment in transient treasures, only to find them hollow, ultimately leading to a singular devotion to Jesus.
The song’s narrative unfolds with stark realism, beginning with an exploration of materialism and false idols. The opening lines paint a vivid picture of seeking solace and abundance at "shrines of plenty" and "alters of gold and silver," only for these symbols of wealth and power to reveal their true nature: "dust" and "rust." This imagery powerfully echoes the biblical warning in Matthew 6:19-21, where Jesus instructs against storing up treasures on earth, which are subject to decay, urging instead a focus on eternal treasures. Similarly, it brings to mind Isaiah 44:9-20, which vividly exposes the futility of creating and bowing down to idols fashioned by human hands, highlighting their ultimate inability to save or satisfy. The song masterfully distills this ancient wisdom into a modern, relatable lament over misdirected devotion.
From this foundation of disillusionment, the song pivots to its unwavering declaration, "I'll worship only at the feet of Jesus, His cup alone, my holy grail, There'll be no other gods before Him, Just Jesus only will never fail." This chorus is a resounding affirmation of the First Commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3), and a complete surrender to the sovereignty of Christ. The imagery of "His cup alone, my holy grail" beautifully signifies Jesus as the sole source of true sustenance and eternal life, reminiscent of His words about living water in John 4:14, promising that those who drink will never thirst again. This commitment is not merely a rejection of false gods, but an embrace of the one who "will never fail," a testament to His steadfastness in contrast to the temporal world, aligning with Hebrews 13:8, which declares Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
The second verse delves further into the emptiness of worldly aspirations, describing the "call of fortune" leading to a "pilgrim" journey toward "things promised us," only for these promises to "fade" and be replaced by "wind blew lonely all through the night." This sentiment captures the ephemeral nature of earthly pursuits and the despair that often follows their inevitable failure, a theme explored in Luke 12:15-21 through the parable of the rich fool, whose life was consumed by accumulating wealth only to lose it all. It also reflects the broader admonition in 1 John 2:15-17 against loving the world or the things in the world, as they are passing away. The song effectively communicates that the joy and satisfaction promised by worldly success are ultimately fleeting and leave the soul barren.
The song culminates in a powerful spiritual realization: "Just desert dust and empty shadows, All promises that turned to lies, The gods offer fail and betray me, You alone are truth and life." This verse is a visceral articulation of despair before the ultimate epiphany. It acknowledges the betrayal felt when earthly hopes crumble, contrasting this profound disappointment with the unshakeable nature of Christ. The declaration "You alone are truth and life" directly echoes Jesus' self-proclamation in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." This final assertion underscores the song's core message: in a world filled with deceit and broken promises, Jesus remains the singular, unfailing source of genuine truth and eternal vitality. The Gaither Vocal Band’s delivery imbues this message with a gravitas that transcends mere musical performance, making it a powerful call to devotion rooted deeply in biblical principles and the enduring hope of the Gospel.