Graham Kendrick - Wake Up Lyrics

Wake Up Video

Wake Up Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

Wake Up by Graham Kendrick: A Call to Spiritual Awakening

Introduction:
Wake Up is a powerful Christian song written by Graham Kendrick. Kendrick's inspiration behind the song and the story behind its creation will also be discussed.

I. Key Messages of the Song:
The song Wake Up carries several key messages that are expressed through its lyrics. Let's explore these messages chronologically:

1. Wake, wake up, wake up my soul:
The song begins with a call to wake up the soul. It is a reminder of the need for spiritual alertness and awareness. The repetition of the word "wake up" emphasizes the urgency of the message. It encourages believers to be fully awake and engaged in their spiritual journey.

2. Wake instruments of music:
In this line, Kendrick calls upon musical instruments to wake up and join in the worship. It emphasizes the role of music in expressing praise and worship to God. It encourages believers to use their talents and gifts to glorify God.

3. Wake my strength, my will, my tongue:
This line speaks to the importance of surrendering our strength, will, and words to God. It acknowledges that our strength and abilities come from Him, and we should use them for His purposes. It also highlights the significance of our words and the need to use them to honor and glorify God.

4. Be exalted high above the heavens:
The chorus of the song focuses on exalting God above all things. It is a declaration of His greatness and a recognition of His sovereignty. This line emphasizes the need to elevate God above everything else in our lives.

5. Let your glory cover the earth, the sky, the sea:
This line expresses a desire for God's glory to fill the entire earth. It reflects a longing for His presence and power to be made known in every corner of the world. It is a prayer for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

6. O the love of God that reaches:
This line highlights the incredible love of God that reaches out to all people. It speaks of the depth and breadth of His love, which extends beyond boundaries and knows no limits. It is a reminder of the transformative power of God's love in our lives.

II. Meaning of the Song and Inspiration:
The song Wake Up is a call to spiritual awakening and revival. It urges believers to awaken from spiritual slumber and embrace a deeper relationship with God. The inspiration behind the song came from Kendrick's visit to India in 1992, where he witnessed the stark contrast between poverty and affluence. This experience stirred a desire in his heart to bring awareness to the needs of the poor and broken in the world.

Kendrick wanted to use his music to ignite compassion in the hearts of believers and inspire them to make a difference in the lives of those who are suffering. The song serves as a reminder that as followers of Christ, we are called to be His hands and feet in this broken world. It encourages us to wake up to the needs of others and take action to bring beauty for brokenness.

III. Biblical Analysis:
The song Wake Up aligns with several biblical principles and themes. Let's critically analyze its biblical relevance:

1. Spiritual Awakening:
The Bible often speaks about the need for spiritual awakening and revival. In Ephesians 5:14, it says, "Awake, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." This verse echoes the call to wake up from spiritual slumber and embrace the light of Christ. The song captures this biblical concept and encourages believers to be fully awake and engaged in their faith.

2. Worship and Praise:
The song emphasizes the role of music in worship and praise. The Bible encourages believers to use their talents and instruments to praise God. Psalm 150:3-6 says, "Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with tambourine and dancing, praise Him with the strings and flute... Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." This biblical reference aligns with the message of Wake Up, calling upon instruments of music to join in worship.

3. Exalting God and His Glory:
The chorus of the song exalts God above all things and desires for His glory to cover the earth. This aligns with biblical teachings about the greatness and sovereignty of God. Psalm 57:5 says, "Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth." The song echoes this biblical call to exalt and glorify God in all aspects of our lives.

4. Love and Compassion:
The line "O the love of God that reaches" emphasizes the boundless love of God. The Bible teaches that God's love knows no boundaries and reaches out to all people. In Romans 8:38-39, it says, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." This biblical truth is beautifully expressed in the song, reminding believers of the transformative power of God's love.

Conclusion:
The song Wake Up by Graham Kendrick carries powerful messages of spiritual awakening, worship, exalting God, and demonstrating love and compassion. Its biblical relevance is evident through its alignment with key biblical principles and teachings. Kendrick's inspiration behind the song and his desire to make a difference in the lives of the poor and broken adds depth and meaning to the lyrics. As believers, we are called to wake up, use our gifts and talents for God's glory, and show His love to a hurting world.