When the nations rage and death is at the door
When the wars are waged as they have been before
There’s a refuge that I run to
A respite from my fear
Nothing in this world can harm me here
When my song of hope is swallowed by the pain
As the weariness of grief floods in again
Will you find me in the valley
Oh hear my helpless cry
Hold me as a mother holds her child
And I’ll take shelter
Take shelter in the loving arms of God
And I’ll take shelter
Take shelter in the loving arms of God
When a greater war had torn apart my soul
And the iron hold of sin would not let go
All of heaven stormed the darkness
In the power of the cross
I’m freed beneath the banner of His love
And I’ll take shelter
Take shelter in the loving arms of God
And I’ll take shelter
Take shelter in the loving arms of God
When the labors of this fleeting life are done
As the shadows fall we’ll see the lights of home
And then all our present troubles
Will be stories of the past
Safe within His gates we’ll find our rest
And I’ll take shelter
Take shelter in the loving arms of God
And I’ll take shelter
Take shelter in the loving arms of God
Written by Kristyn Getty, Skye Peterson, & Ben Shive.
Keith & Kristyn Getty and Skye Peterson - Take Shelter (Lyric Video)
Take Shelter Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
"Take Shelter," released on August 5, 2022, by Keith & Kristyn Getty and Skye Peterson, offers a profound exploration of finding security and peace in the face of various life challenges. Co-written by Kristyn Getty, Skye Peterson, and Ben Shive, the song navigates themes of global turmoil, personal grief, spiritual struggle, and ultimate hope, anchoring the believer's response in the unwavering stability of faith. The opening verses paint a picture of distress, speaking to the anxieties caused by external conflict ("nations rage," "wars are waged") and internal pain ("swallowed by the pain," "grief floods in"). In these moments of fear and weariness, the lyrics articulate a turning towards a divine refuge, seeking a place where worldly dangers cannot harm, a concept echoed in biblical promises of God being a fortress and deliverer.
The song's central chorus serves as a powerful declaration and response to these difficulties: "And I’ll take shelter / Take shelter in the loving arms of God." This refrain is not merely a statement of belief but an active decision to seek refuge. It highlights the personal nature of faith – the "I'll" signifies an individual turning to a divine source for comfort and protection. The imagery of "loving arms" conveys a sense of intimate care, security, and parental tenderness, recalling scripture that describes God's gentle presence and comfort, likening it to a mother holding her child, a sentiment also expressed within the verses.
Moving beyond external and internal distress, the third verse addresses a deeper, spiritual conflict. It speaks of a "greater war" that impacts the soul and the struggle against the "iron hold of sin." The resolution to this battle is presented through the lens of Christian theology, describing a divine intervention where "All of heaven stormed the darkness" through "the power of the cross." This verse points to the redemptive work of Christ as the means by which freedom from sin's bondage is achieved, placing the believer "beneath the banner of His love," a symbol of protection and belonging. This reflects biblical narratives of salvation and liberation found through faith in Christ's sacrifice.
The final verse shifts perspective to the future, contemplating the end of earthly life ("labors of this fleeting life are done"). It speaks of the eventual journey towards "the lights of home," portraying the end of this life not as a conclusion but as a transition to a place of ultimate safety and rest. The promise is that in this eternal dwelling, all of life's "present troubles" will be transformed into mere "stories of the past," signifying a complete release from suffering and anxiety. Resting "safe within His gates" offers a final image of secure and enduring peace, aligning with the biblical hope of an eternal dwelling place with God where weariness and sorrow cease.
Throughout "Take Shelter," the consistent return to the chorus reinforces the central message: regardless of the nature or intensity of the trial—whether global, personal, spiritual, or even facing the end of life—the ultimate source of security and hope lies in seeking and finding refuge in the steadfast love and power of God. The song provides a lyrical anchor for believers, reminding them of the ever-present invitation to find comfort, protection, and peace in divine care, offering an inspirational message of trust amidst uncertainty.
