Jesus Culture - Near The Lord Lyrics
Lyrics
Verse 1:
Lord, the deepest longing of my heart
Is to worship You for all You are
I have tasted goodness and I've seen
Your presence is what's best for me
Pre Chorus:
And I'd trade a thousand of my best
Days for just one with You
Chorus:
How good, how good, how good it is
Just to be near the Lord, just to be near You, Lord
How good, how good, how good it is
Just to be near the Lord, just to be near You, Lord
Verse 2:
Just one thing I ask, this I will seek
Is to sit with You at Your feet
I don't want to miss the whispers of
Your heart's desire, all the things You love
Pre Chorus:
And I'd trade a thousand of my best
Days for just one with You
I'd trade a thousand of my best
Days for just one with You
Chorus:
How good, how good, how good it is
Just to be near the Lord, just to be near You, Lord
How good, how good, how good it is
Just to be near the Lord, just to be near You, Lord
Oh, just to be with You
Bridge:
And all my deserts turn to rivers
When I'm where You are
So, put a highway to Your presence
In my heart, oh God
'Cause all my deserts turn to rivers
When I'm where You are
So, put a highway to Your presence
In my heart, oh God
Chorus:
How good, how good, how good it is
Just to be near the Lord, just to be near You, Lord
How good, how good, how good it is
Just to be near the Lord, just to be near You, Lord
Bridge:
'Cause all my deserts turn to rivers
When I'm where You are
So, put a highway to Your presence
In my heart, oh God
Chorus:
How good, how good, how good it is
Just to be near the Lord, just to be near You, Lord
How good, how good, how good it is
Just to be near the Lord, just to be near You, Lord
Sing "How good..."
Chorus:
How good, how good, how good it is
Just to be near the Lord, just to be near You, Lord
How good, how good, how good it is
Just to be near the Lord, just to be near You, Lord
Bridge:
'Cause all my deserts turn to rivers
Oh, when I'm where You are
So, come put a highway to Your presence
In my heart, oh God
How good
Chorus:
How good, how good, how good it is
Just to be near the Lord, just to be near You, Lord
How good, how good, how good it is
Just to be near the Lord, just to be near You, Lord
Video
Near The Lord feat. Kristene DiMarco | Official Live Video | Jesus Culture
Meaning & Inspiration
"Near The Lord" by Jesus Culture is a profound exploration of the soul's deepest yearning for connection with God. The song opens with a clear declaration in Verse 1, stating that the heart's ultimate desire is to worship God for who He is. This isn't merely a duty, but a response to having experienced God's goodness. The speaker has personally tasted this goodness and seen that God's presence is paramount, recognizing it as the most beneficial and desirable state. This sets the stage for the core message: the supreme value placed upon intimacy with the Divine.
The Pre-Chorus intensifies this sentiment with a powerful metaphor, expressing a willingness to sacrifice even the best of one's own days for just a single day spent in God's presence. This highlights the immense value the worshiper places on this relationship, seeing time spent near God as infinitely more valuable than any other earthly pursuit or experience. It underscores a radical shift in perspective, where proximity to the sacred becomes the ultimate prize.
The Chorus serves as the central declaration, repeating with emphatic goodness ("How good, how good, how good it is") the simple truth: being near the Lord is inherently good. This is the core affirmation of the song, a joyful and resonant statement that being close to God is a source of profound well-being and satisfaction. The repetition reinforces this foundational belief, making it the anchor of the worship experience.
Verse 2 echoes themes found in scripture, particularly Psalm 27:4, by articulating the singular focus of the worshiper's quest: to dwell with God and sit at His feet. This imagery speaks of humble devotion, attentive listening, and prioritizing communion over activity. The desire to "not miss the whispers" of God's heart reveals a longing for deep intimacy and understanding of His nature and desires, moving beyond superficial engagement to a genuine pursuit of His heart. This reiterates the theme from Verse 1 that presence is what is best.
The Bridge introduces a transformative element. It paints a vivid picture of the power inherent in God's presence, where barren places ("deserts") are miraculously turned into flowing sources of life ("rivers"). This speaks to the ability of divine presence to bring life, refreshment, and transformation to the dry and difficult areas of one's life. The subsequent plea, "So, put a highway to Your presence in my heart, oh God," is a prayer for unobstructed access, a direct and clear path for God's presence to reside and operate within the innermost being. It's a request for internal transformation that facilitates constant access to the life-giving source. This imagery finds resonance with scriptures like Isaiah 41:18, where God promises rivers in the desert for His people.
The repeated sections of the Pre-Chorus, Chorus, and Bridge build momentum throughout the song, allowing the worshiper to dwell on and fully embrace the central themes: the incomparable value of God's presence, the goodness experienced when near Him, and the transformative power that resides there. The layering of these elements creates a sense of escalating passion and conviction, moving from a quiet longing to a declared truth and then a fervent prayer for deeper indwelling. Ultimately, "Near The Lord" is a powerful expression of Christian devotion, centering on the pursuit and preciousness of intimate relationship with God, portraying it as the source of life, goodness, and transformation.