Lyrics
Verse 1
When the mountains fall
And the tempest roars
You are with me
When creation falls
Still my soul will soar
On Your mercy
Pre-Chorus
I'll walk through the fire
With my head lifted high
And my spirit revived
In Your story
I'll look to the cross
As my failure is lost
In the light of Your glorious grace
Verse 2
When the world caves in
Still my hope will cling
To Your promise
When my courage ends
Let my heart find strength
In Your presence
Chorus
Let the ruins come to life
In the beauty of Your Name
Rising up from the ashes
God forever You reign
And my soul will find refuge
In the shadow of Your wings
I will love You forever
And forever I'll sing
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Glorious Ruins” from Hillsong Worship is a song about God’s presence when everything seems to be falling apart. The first verse speaks of mountains falling and a roaring tempest, and repeats the answer: “You are with me.” The soul will soar on His mercy even when creation falls.
The pre-chorus is a promise to walk through fire with the head lifted high, the spirit revived, and eyes on the cross, where failure is lost in “the light of Your glorious grace.” The second verse speaks of the world caving in and courage ending, and it asks that the heart find strength in His presence.
The chorus is the central image: “Let the ruins come to life in the beauty of Your Name, rising up from the ashes.” It ends in refuge “in the shadow of Your wings” and a vow to love Him forever. The lines are close to Psalm 46:2-3, Isaiah 43:2, Isaiah 61:3 and Psalm 91:4. The song moves from fear to trust.
Related Scripture
- Isaiah 61:3 Beauty for ashes
- Psalm 46:2-3 Though the mountains fall, God is a refuge
- Psalm 91:4 Refuge under His wings