Scattered words and empty thoughts
Seem to pour from my heart
I've never felt so torn before
Seems I don't know where to start
But it's now that I feel Your grace fall like rain
From every fingertip, washing away my pain
I still believe in Your faithfulness
I still believe in Your truth
I still believe in Your holy word
Even when I don't see, I still believe
Though the questions still fog up my mind
With promises I still seem to bear
Even when answers slowly unwind
It's my heart I see You prepare
The only place I can go is into your arms
Where I throw to you my feeble prayers
In brokenness I can see that this was Your will for me
Help me to know that You are near
I Still Believe
I Still Believe Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Jeremy Camp's song "I Still Believe" is a deeply personal and powerful declaration of faith in the midst of profound pain and uncertainty. The lyrics open with a raw expression of inner turmoil, describing "scattered words and empty thoughts" pouring from the heart, feeling "torn before," and not knowing where to start. This vividly portrays a state of confusion and grief, a common human experience when facing overwhelming challenges. However, the perspective shifts as the singer describes feeling grace fall like rain, washing away the pain from every fingertip. This imagery suggests a tangible and immediate sense of divine comfort and presence interrupting the despair, highlighting God's grace as a source of solace and healing.
The core message of the song is captured in the repeated declaration: "I still believe in Your faithfulness, I still believe in Your truth, I still believe in Your holy word, Even when I don't see, I still believe." This serves as an anchor throughout the struggle, emphasizing a commitment to faith not based on circumstance or understanding, but on the unchanging character and word of God. Believing "even when I don't see" speaks to the very definition of faith, which involves trusting in what is unseen. This unwavering stance is particularly impactful given the song's well-known background, being inspired by Jeremy Camp's experience following the death of his first wife, Melissa. The song originated from his album "Stay" released in 2002 and gained renewed attention with a music video released on February 28, 2020, coinciding with a film based on his life story.
The narrative continues to explore the complexities of grief and faith, acknowledging that questions can still "fog up my mind" even while holding onto promises. The process of finding answers is described as slowly unwinding, suggesting that clarity and understanding are not always immediate but can develop over time. The lyrics reveal a focus on the heart being prepared, indicating that trials are not just external events but also internal processes shaping one's character and faith. Despite the lingering questions and perceived brokenness, the singer identifies the only true refuge as being in God's arms, where even "feeble prayers" are offered. This underscores a reliance on God's strength when one feels weakest.
The difficult reality of suffering is confronted with the line, "In brokenness I can see that this was Your will for me." This is a powerful and challenging statement of surrender and acceptance, seeing purpose even in pain, and acknowledging God's sovereignty. It reflects a deep trust that God is working through difficult circumstances, even when it is hard to comprehend. The final plea, "Help me to know that You are near," brings the song to a poignant close, expressing a human need for reassurance of God's presence during suffering. The journey described is not one where pain is instantly removed or questions fully answered, but one where faith endures and finds strength in God's nearness and faithfulness, regardless of the circumstances. The themes resonate with scriptures like Romans 5:3-5, which speaks of suffering producing perseverance and hope; Hebrews 11:1, defining faith as assurance of things hoped for and conviction of things not seen; and Psalm 34:18, assuring that God is close to the brokenhearted. The song offers an authentic portrayal of wrestling with loss and doubt while holding fast to the belief that God's faithfulness and love remain constant.