Elijah Oyelade - I Am that I Am Lyrics
Lyrics
No name on earth can describe Who You are
From eternity past You remain the same forever
In heaven and earth none compares with You
I Am that I Am, I Am that I Am
I Am that I Am, I Am that I Am
I Am that I Am, I Am that I Am
No name on earth can describe Who You are
From eternity past You remain the same forever
In heaven and earth none compares with You
I Am that I Am, I Am that I Am
I Am that I Am, I Am that I Am
I Am that I Am, I Am that I Am
You're the Lion and the Lamb
You are the fire and the water
You are the past and the future
I Am that I Am, I Am that I Am
You are the God of the mountain
You are the God in the valley
The earth is Your footstool
And Yet You live in it
I Am that I Am
I Am that I Am (I Am, I Am)
I Am that I Am (I Am, I Am)
I Am that I Am (I Am, I Am)
God of Yesterday, God of Today (I Am, I Am)
You never change, You never slumber (I Am, I Am)
I Am that I Am (I Am, I Am)
I Am that I Am (I Am, I Am)
Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending
I Am that I Am (I Am, I Am)
Video
I AM (lyrics video) by Elijah Oyelade
Meaning & Inspiration
Elijah Oyelade’s "I Am that I Am," released as a compelling lyrics video on April 10, 2019, stands as a profound declaration of God's timeless and incomparable nature. The very title immediately anchors the song in the most foundational revelation of God's identity, echoing His self-identification to Moses in Exodus 3:14: "I AM WHO I AM." This phrase isn't just a name; it’s a theological bedrock asserting God's absolute self-existence, His eternal being, and His unchanging character. The song’s essence is a worshipful exploration of this truth, inviting us to acknowledge a God who is utterly unique and boundless, existing independently of all creation.
The opening lines set a majestic tone, proclaiming, "No name on earth can describe Who You are / From eternity past You remain the same forever / In heaven and earth none compares with You." This declaration resonates deeply with Scripture, recalling passages like Isaiah 40:25, where God challenges, "To whom then will you compare me, that I should be his equal?” says the Holy One. It establishes the unsearchable depth of God's being, emphasizing that human language and understanding are inherently insufficient to fully capture His essence. This truth is further underscored by the affirmation that He remains the same "from eternity past," a powerful echo of Malachi 3:6, "For I the Lord do not change," and Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." The repetition of "I Am that I Am" throughout the song functions not merely as a lyrical hook but as a meditative, empowering affirmation, drawing the worshiper into the sheer weight and wonder of God's irreducible sovereignty. It is a bold statement that God needs no further definition; His name alone encapsulates all His attributes and power.
As the song progresses, Oyelade paints a vibrant tapestry of God's multifaceted nature, declaring, "You're the Lion and the Lamb / You are the fire and the water / You are the past and the future." The imagery of the "Lion and the Lamb" is a direct and powerful reference to Revelation 5:5-6, portraying Christ as both the triumphant, conquering King (the Lion of the tribe of Judah) and the sacrificial, redemptive Savior (the Lamb who was slain). This paradox beautifully illustrates the complexity and richness of God’s character, encompassing both justice and mercy, power and humility. Similarly, being "the fire and the water" speaks to His absolute dominion over all elements and His contrasting yet harmonious attributes: the consuming fire of His holiness and judgment (Hebrews 12:29) alongside the living water of His provision, cleansing, and spiritual life (John 7:38). To call Him "the past and the future" powerfully conveys His eternal presence and sovereignty over all time, further solidified by His description as "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending" later in the song, as declared in Revelation 1:8 and 22:13.
The song continues to deepen our understanding of God’s omnipresence and immanence, stating, "You are the God of the mountain / You are the God in the valley / The earth is Your footstool / And Yet You live in it." This verse eloquently reminds us that God is not confined to specific places or circumstances; He is equally present and sovereign in our highest triumphs and our deepest trials, offering comfort and strength in every "valley of the shadow of death" (Psalm 23:4). The magnificent image of the "earth as Your footstool" is a direct quote from Isaiah 66:1, emphasizing God’s cosmic scale and His transcendence over all creation. Yet, this transcendent God, whose throne is heaven and footstool is earth, incredibly "lives in it," choosing to dwell among humanity through His Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16) and ultimately through the incarnation of Christ. This remarkable blend of transcendence and immanence is central to Christian theology, revealing a God who is both infinitely majestic and intimately present.
The concluding sections of the song reiterate God's unchanging nature and constant vigilance, proclaiming, "God of Yesterday, God of Today / You never change, You never slumber." These lines reinforce the earlier theme of immutability and draw upon the comforting truth of Psalm 121:4, "Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep." It is a profound assurance that our God is ever-watchful, ever-faithful, and consistently reliable. "I Am that I Am" ultimately serves as a powerful call to deep adoration and unshakable trust, urging us to fix our gaze on a God whose identity is eternal, whose power is absolute, and whose presence is unwavering, regardless of the fluctuating circumstances of life. Its strength lies in its profound theological rootedness and its ability to inspire a sense of wonder and security in the unchangeable character of the Almighty.