VERSE 1:
When it feels like the dark
Lingers longer than the night
When the shadows feel like giants
Are You chasing me down
VERSE 2:
Tell me where could I run
From Your light
Where could I hide
Hemmed within Your precious thoughts
There’s no hiding from Your love
CHORUS 1:
Highs and lows
Lord You’re with me either way it goes
Should I rise or should I fall
Even so
Lord Your mercy is an even flow
You’re too good to let me go
VERSE 3:
Should I dance on the heights
Or make my bed among the depths
Your mercy waits at every end
Like You planned it from the start
VERSE 4:
Should the dawn come with wings
Or find me far-side of the sea
There Your hand still fastens me
Ever closer to Your heart
CHORUS 2:
Highs and lows
Lord You’re with me either way it goes
Should I rise or should I fall
Even so
Lord Your mercy is an even flow
Should I rise or should I fall
You are faithful through it all
You’re too good to let me go
CHORUS 3:
Highs and lows
You surround me either way it goes
Should I rise or should I fall
Lord You’re with me through it all
Highs and lows
In the rhythms of Your grace I know
Should I rise or should I fall
You are faithful through it all
And You’re too good to let me go
High And Lows
High And Lows Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Hillsong Young & Free's song "Highs and Lows," released in late 2019, offers a profound exploration of God's unwavering presence and faithfulness through every season of life. The initial verses paint a picture of grappling with difficult times, metaphorically describing darkness lingering and challenges feeling like oppressive giants. This introduces a sense of vulnerability and searching, captured in the question of whether one is being pursued by something daunting.
This feeling of potential struggle is immediately contrasted with a powerful declaration of God's inescapable nature. The lyrics shift to acknowledge the futility of trying to hide or run from God's light, emphasizing that believers are encompassed by His thoughts and perpetually held within the scope of His love. This establishes a foundational truth: despite feelings of being overwhelmed, one cannot outrun divine love or presence.
The core message crystallizes in the recurring chorus. It asserts that in both the literal "highs and lows" of life – moments of ascent or descent, rising or falling – God remains present. The phrase "either way it goes" underscores the unconditional nature of this presence. A central theme is the constant, steady flow of God's mercy, described as "an even flow." This portrays mercy not as something sporadic or dependent on human performance, but as a continuous stream available regardless of circumstances. The powerful affirmation, "You're too good to let me go," speaks to the secure grip of God's love and faithfulness, echoing biblical themes of being held fast by divine grace.
The subsequent verses expand on the idea of God's pervasive presence by considering geographical and existential extremes. Whether soaring "on the heights" or dwelling "among the depths," the lyrics state that God's mercy is waiting, implying it is a prepared provision that exists at every point of human experience, just as He planned. The imagery extends to distant places, asking should one be found at the "far-side of the sea," asserting that even there, God's hand fastens the individual closer to His heart. This mirrors biblical assurances of God's omnipresence, notably found in Psalm 139, which speaks of ascending to heaven, making one's bed in the depths, or dwelling on the far side of the sea, yet still being led and held by God's hand.
The repeated choruses build upon this foundation, reinforcing the certainty of God's faithfulness. Chorus 2 reiterates the promise of God's presence through rising and falling, explicitly stating, "You are faithful through it all." This introduces the attribute of faithfulness alongside presence and mercy, highlighting God's reliable character. Chorus 3 further emphasizes God's surrounding presence – "You surround me either way it goes" – and adds the concept of being in "the rhythms of Your grace," suggesting a dynamic, ongoing experience of God's favor and strength through every phase of life. The consistent declaration that God is "too good to let me go" acts as an anchor, providing deep spiritual assurance. The song, within the context of Hillsong Young & Free's style, often features contemporary worship music arrangements that resonate with its lyrical themes of vulnerability and triumphant faith, making the message accessible and impactful for a modern audience. It ultimately serves as an inspirational reminder that regardless of the challenges or triumphs faced, the believer is secure in the constant presence, unending mercy, and unfailing faithfulness of God, who holds them fast through every high and low.