Hope Darst - If The Lord Builds The House Lyrics
Lyrics
I’ve built up my own name
But the walls couldn’t stand
I’ve trusted my own strength
But it was sinking sand
So I put my ruins
Into Your hands
And watch You restore them
Like only You can
Cause if the Lord builds the house
Nobody can tear it down
If the Lord builds the house
Nobody can tear it down
When it’s built on His name
There’s nothing gonna shake this ground
If the Lord builds the house
Nobody can tear it down
The bricks may be weathered
Through storm and through fire
But what God holds together
It stands firm every time
Cause my life is anchored
On this solid truth
That whatever God's building
No it can’t be moved
Cause if the Lord builds the house
Nobody can tear it down
If the Lord builds the house
Nobody can tear it down
When it’s built on His name
There’s nothing gonna shake this ground
If the Lord builds the house
Nobody can tear it down
Oh nobody
As for me and my house
We’re gonna serve You Lord
So here’s the keys
Come on in
Everything we have is Yours
As for me and my house
We’re gonna serve You Lord
So here’s the keys
Come on in
Everything we have is Yours
Oh
Here’s the keys
Won’t You come on in
Everything we have is Yours
If the Lord builds the house
Nobody can (tear it down)
Nobody can tear it down
(If the Lord builds the house)
Nobody can tear it down
When it’s built on His name
There’s nothing gonna shake this ground
If the Lord builds the house
Nobody can tear it down
If the Lord builds the house
Nobody can tear it down
If the Lord builds the house
Nobody can tear it down
When it’s built on His name
There’s nothing that can shake this ground
If the Lord builds the house
Nobody can tear it down
I said if the Lord builds the house
Nobody can tear it down
Video
Hope Darst - If The Lord Builds The House (Official Music Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Hope Darst's song "If The Lord Builds The House," released on June 14, 2022, presents a powerful message of surrendering control and placing trust in divine power rather than human effort. The song opens by acknowledging the futility of striving and building on one's own strength, likening it to constructing walls that cannot stand or building on sinking sand. It depicts a journey from self-reliance and recognizing personal "ruins" to a pivotal act of surrendering these imperfections and failures into God's hands, trusting in His unique ability to restore and build anew.
The core truth of the song is encapsulated in its resonant and repetitive chorus. It asserts that anything built by God possesses an inherent strength and permanence that is impervious to external forces. The declaration that "Nobody can tear it down" emphasizes the security found in a foundation laid by the Lord. This foundation, built not just *by* Him but also *on His name*, provides an unshakeable ground, highlighting that true stability comes from aligning one's life and endeavors with the character and power of God.
The lyrical journey continues to explore the resilience of this divinely constructed structure. The bridge acknowledges that trials and difficulties will inevitably come, describing potential challenges as "storm and through fire" that might weather the bricks. However, it quickly counters this by affirming that what God holds together "stands firm every time." This reinforces the message that despite life's adversities, a life anchored on the truth of God's building power remains immovably strong, underscoring the theme of steadfastness found in divine partnership.
A significant turning point in the song is the repeated declaration "As for me and my house, We’re gonna serve You Lord." This section marks a personal commitment, a response to the truth presented earlier. It is an act of complete surrender, symbolized by handing over the "keys" and stating, "Everything we have is Yours." This relinquishing of control signifies a decision to invite God fully into one's life and household, allowing Him not just to rebuild the ruins but to take residency and direct its future. This dedication is presented not just as a passive acceptance of God's power but as an active choice to serve and give everything over to Him.
The profound message of the song finds resonance in various biblical passages. For example, the central theme directly mirrors Psalm 127:1, which states, "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." The imagery of building on stable ground versus "sinking sand" strongly echoes Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7:24-27, where He contrasts the wise builder who builds his house on the rock (obeying His words) with the foolish builder who builds on sand, leading to collapse when storms come. The song effectively translates these ancient truths into a contemporary declaration of faith and reliance.
Overall, "If The Lord Builds The House" serves as an inspirational anthem encouraging listeners to shift their focus from self-effort and anxiety over life's uncertainties to a posture of trust and surrender to God. It conveys a message of hope for restoration, unwavering security, and purposeful living that flows from allowing the divine architect to build and dwell within one's life. The repetitive, affirming nature of the chorus, particularly in the context of the video presentation, emphasizes the certainty and power of this truth, inviting listeners to embrace a foundation that cannot be destroyed.