Israel Houghton - Here I Am To Worship Lyrics
Lyrics
Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes let mesee
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
King of all days
O so highly exalted
Glorious in Heaven above
Humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love's sake became poor
I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon the cross
...Worship You
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
I worship You for who You are
I worship You
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
I worship You for who You are
Video
Here I Am To Worship - Israel & New Breed
Meaning & Inspiration
Stepping onto the worship landscape on October 8, 2021, Israel Houghton and New Breed offered their take on a modern classic, "Here I Am To Worship." This isn't merely a cover; it's an interpretation infused with the vibrant, skilled musicianship and authentic passion characteristic of Israel Houghton's ministry. The original song, penned by Tim Hughes, has become a staple in gatherings around the world for good reason – it distills profound theological truth into simple, accessible language, inviting a direct, personal response to the person of Jesus Christ. At its core, the song tells the story of God's astonishing act of leaving the perfection of heaven, His place of unequaled glory, to enter the brokenness of humanity. It paints the picture of the Light of the world (John 1:1-5, John 8:12) willingly stepping into the very darkness He came to dispel (John 1:5), and through this act, opening the eyes of those who were blind to truth and grace (Ephesians 1:18, 2 Corinthians 4:6). The "beauty that made this heart adore" isn't just aesthetic; it's the divine radiance and perfect character of Christ, revealed in His humility and sacrifice (Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 1:3), drawing us in with a captivating grace (Psalm 27:4).
This particular recording by Israel Houghton and New Breed carries the weight of the song's message with a distinct warmth and energy. It retains the reflective intimacy required by the lyrics while building with a corporate feel that calls people to join in the response. The arrangement often features layers of instrumentation and voices that lift the simple melodic line, giving it a soaring quality that mirrors the act of offering worship upward. The theological weight is carried naturally in the delivery; the declaration "Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that You're my God" is not just sung but proclaimed as the only sensible response to the revelation of who Jesus is and what He has done (Psalm 95:6, Revelation 4:10-11). The lines acknowledging Jesus as "altogether lovely, altogether worthy, altogether wonderful to me" serve as affirmations rooted in Scripture, reflecting God's inherent perfection and supreme value (Revelation 5:12, Psalm 145:3, Isaiah 9:6). What truly drives the song to its emotional and theological peak is the stark, humble admission: "I'll never know how much it cost / To see my sin upon that cross." This isn't a casual phrase; it's a profound reflection on the substitutionary atonement – that the sinless Son of God bore the penalty for human sin on the cross (1 Peter 2:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21), an act of love whose cost is truly immeasurable from our finite perspective (Romans 5:8). This version encourages a lingering on that cost, making the subsequent return to worship a deeper, more informed offering. Ultimately, "Here I Am To Worship," as rendered by Israel Houghton, continues to serve as a powerful invitation to step out of self and into the presence of the One who stepped out of eternity for us, reminding everyone who engages with it of the foundational truth of the Gospel and the only fitting reply: surrender and adoration before our God.