Your love came first
Before I knew the cross You carried
Now free at last
I’ll freely give as I’ve been given
For everything You’ve done
And everything to come
I will praise You
Live to glorify Your name
Forever anthem Your acclaim
Lord I will sing Your praise
Should words fall short
May they fall in honest worship
Till all I am
Breaks in reverence at Your feet
For everything You’ve done
And everything to come
I will praise You
Live to glorify Your name
Forever anthem Your acclaim
Lord I will sing Your praise
I will praise You
In the promise and the pain
For as long as life remains
Still I will sing Your praise
The first and last
The Alpha and Omega
God the great I Am
Who was and is and is to come
Almighty One
Blessed Father Son and Spirit
God Emmanuel is with us
Here and now and then forevermore
You rule in love
You reign in peace
You set me free
You owned the cross
You broke through death
Took back the keys
Your kingdom come
All the earth will shout with heaven
For You’ve always held the glory
And You always will
Forever
I will praise You
Live to glorify Your name
Forever anthem Your acclaim
Lord I will sing Your praise
I will praise You
In the promise and the pain
For as long as life remains
Still I will sing Your praise
Yeah I will sing Your praise
I Will Praise You (Official Lyric Video) - Hillsong Worship
I Will Praise You Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
This song by Hillsong Worship is a powerful declaration of devotion and commitment to God. It begins by acknowledging the priority of God's love and the sacrifice of the cross, a love received before it was fully understood by the worshipper. This foundational act of grace leads to a response of freedom and a desire to give back freely, mirroring the gratuitous nature of the love received. The opening lines set a tone of gratitude for both past blessings ("everything You’ve done") and future hope ("everything to come"), establishing a broad scope for the praise that follows.
The core commitment is articulated in the repeated chorus: a pledge to actively praise God, to live a life that glorifies His name, and to join a perpetual song of His worthiness. This isn't just a momentary expression but a lifelong orientation ("Live to glorify Your name", "Forever anthem Your acclaim"). The declaration "Lord I will sing Your praise" serves as a personal and unwavering vow, central to the song's message.
Building on this commitment, the song addresses the potential inadequacy of human words in expressing the depth of worship. It acknowledges that language may fall short but emphasizes the importance of sincerity ("fall in honest worship"). This leads to a desire for total surrender and reverence ("Till all I am breaks in reverence at Your feet"), indicating that true worship encompasses the entirety of the worshipper's being, not just vocal expression. This theme reinforces the depth of the commitment first introduced in the chorus.
The lyrics then transition into a section of adoration, listing various names and attributes of God that are central to Christian theology. He is described as "The first and last," "The Alpha and Omega," titles found in scripture that affirm His eternal nature and sovereignty over all things. He is identified as "God the great I Am," a name signifying His self-existence and presence. The song explicitly names the Trinity – "Blessed Father Son and Spirit" – and celebrates the truth of "God Emmanuel is with us," highlighting His personal presence with humanity in all times. This litany of names serves as a theological foundation for the praise being offered, rooting it in the revealed character of God.
Following the description of God's attributes, the lyrics detail His saving actions and reigning power. Specific acts like ruling in love, reigning in peace, setting the captive free, bearing the cross, breaking through death, and reclaiming authority are mentioned. These actions form the basis of the worshipper's gratitude and the reason for their praise. The declaration "Your kingdom come" links the personal commitment to the broader cosmic hope. The song culminates this section with a resounding statement of God's eternal glory and worthiness, asserting that He has always held glory and always will, prompting the response of both earthly and heavenly creation in praise.
The final repetitions of the chorus reinforce the central theme of unwavering praise. The line "In the promise and the pain" adds a crucial dimension, highlighting that this commitment to praise is not conditional on circumstances. Whether experiencing blessing or suffering, the worshipper declares that "For as long as life remains," they will continue to sing His praise. This steadfastness in all seasons is a powerful testament to a faith grounded in the unchanging character and actions of God, as previously described, providing inspiration for worshippers facing their own life experiences.