Hope Darst - Peace Be Still Lyrics
Lyrics
Verse 1
I don't want to be afraid
Every time I face the waves
I don't want to be afraid
I don't want to be afraid
I don't want to fear the storm
Just because I hear it roar
I don't want to fear the storm
I don't want to fear the storm
Chorus
Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
Till I'm dancing in the deep
Peace be still
You are here so it is well
Even when my eyes can't see
I will trust the voice that speaks
Verse 2
I'm not gonna be afraid
'Cause these waves are only waves
I'm not gonna be afraid
No, I'm not gonna be afraid
And I'm not gonna fear the storm
You are greater than its roar
Oh, I'm not gonna fear the storm
No, I'm not gonna fear at all
Chorus
Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
Till I'm dancing in the deep
Peace be still
You are here so it is well
Even when my eyes can't see
I will trust the voice that speaks
Chorus 2
Peace, peace over me
Bridge
Let faith rise up
O heart believe
Let faith rise up in me
Let faith rise up
O heart believe
Let faith rise up in me
Let faith rise up
O heart believe
Let faith rise up in me
Let faith rise up
O heart believe
Let faith rise up in me
Chorus
Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
Till I'm dancing in the deep
Peace be still
You are here so it is well
Even when my eyes can't see
I will trust the voice that speaks
Chorus 2
Peace, peace over me
Peace, peace over me
Outro
Peace over me
You speak peace
You speak peace
Over me
You speak peace
You speak peace
You speak peace
Video
Hope Darst - Peace Be Still (Official Lyric Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on February 7, 2020, Hope Darst's "Peace Be Still" emerges as a profound declaration of faith, drawing its power directly from the ancient and enduring biblical narrative of Jesus calming the storm. The song is more than just a contemporary expression of worship; it's a heartfelt plea and a powerful affirmation of trust in the face of life's inevitable tempests. The lyrical journey begins with an honest admission of human frailty, the raw vulnerability of not wanting to be ruled by fear when faced with overwhelming challenges, echoing the disciples' own terror in Mark 4:35-41. Darst articulates this internal struggle, the desire to confront trials not with dread but with steadfast assurance.
The core of the song, the repeated refrain, "Peace be still," is a direct invocation of Christ's command to the raging sea. This isn't a passive wish but an active surrender to the One who holds ultimate authority over all creation. The lines, "Say the word and I will set my feet upon the sea, till I'm dancing in the deep," beautifully illustrate the transformative power of divine peace. They speak to a deep-seated longing for the kind of faith that can stand firm, even in the most perilous circumstances, mirroring the unwavering conviction found in Isaiah 26:3: "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." The assurance that "You are here so it is well, even when my eyes can't see" is a testament to the unseen presence of God, a truth that transcends our limited human perception. This resonates with passages like Hebrews 11:1, which defines faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." The song encourages listeners to place their trust not in their own ability to navigate the storm, but in the unchanging character and potent voice of God, the same voice that spoke creation into existence and can silence any earthly turmoil.
As the song progresses into its second verse and bridge, there's a noticeable shift from acknowledging fear to actively renouncing it, underpinned by a growing confidence in God's supreme power. The declaration, "I'm not gonna be afraid, 'cause these waves are only waves. You are greater than its roar," is a powerful declaration of spiritual resilience, recognizing that the external forces arrayed against us are ultimately subservient to the divine. This is the essence of courage rooted in faith, the understanding articulated in 1 John 4:4: "The Spirit who is in you is greater than the spirit who is in the world." The bridge, with its insistent call to "Let faith rise up, O heart believe," serves as an anthem for cultivating a resilient spirit. It’s a direct invitation to awaken and activate one's inner belief, a practice central to spiritual growth and empowerment, as highlighted in Romans 10:17: "So faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." The recurring affirmation of "Peace, peace over me" and the concluding "You speak peace" encapsulate the song's ultimate message: a profound reliance on God's authoritative and comforting word to bring tranquility to even the most turbulent of lives, ultimately pointing to the Prince of Peace Himself, Jesus Christ.