Jimmy Needham - Regardless Lyrics
Lyrics
I've been through the world and back again and back again
And I've found a man that claims that he's your friend
May I go to him and trouble him and trouble him
Until that man sins
O my everything my everything is gone
And I am burdened with all of these afflictions
What he lent to me he also took away
May the name of the LORD be praised
When he saves the day
All the world will say
When he saves the day
All the world will say
Be glorified be magnified
Our El Shaddai praise Adonai
We cry holy we cry holy we cry holy
Adonai
How shiny is this statue made of gold
Everyone bow down and worship as you're told
I'll be the antithesis of happiness unless you praise this way
This furnace is the consequence for all who disobey
Well thank you but no thanks
I'd rather praise my El Shaddai
He's stronger than the strongest man and wiser than the wise
So toss us in and let us perish
From this evil place
But know that the name of the LORD will be praised
When he saves the day
All the world will say
When he saves the day
All the world will say
Be glorified be magnified
Our El Shaddai praise Adonai
We cry holy we cry holy we cry holy
Adonai
Video
Regardless - Jimmy Needham
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on August 15, 2006, as part of the album *Speak*, Jimmy Needham’s "Regardless" immediately establishes itself as a profoundly spiritual declaration, drawing deep from the wellsprings of Old Testament narratives to craft a powerful statement of unwavering faith. The song’s essence lies in its lyrical journey through trials and temptations, mirroring biblical accounts of devotion in the face of adversity. It is not a casual listen but an invitation to contemplate the very core of one’s conviction, challenging believers to examine the foundation of their praise.
The narrative of "Regardless" masterfully weaves together two distinct yet thematically connected stories from Scripture. It begins with a chilling echo of the Book of Job, where the accuser, often understood as Satan, approaches God with a cynical challenge. The opening lines portray this adversarial spirit seeking permission to test a righteous man, believing that his loyalty to God is merely transactional, dependent on his blessings. This resonates directly with Job 1:9-11, where Satan scoffs, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." The song then shifts to Job’s profound response to overwhelming loss, capturing his resolute spirit. Despite suffering the unimaginable — the loss of his children, his wealth, and his health — Job famously declared, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21). This remarkable surrender and praise, even in utter desolation, forms the song's initial testament to steadfast faith, highlighting a worship that transcends comfort or circumstance.
The second powerful narrative thread in "Regardless" transports us to the plains of Dura, recounting the defiance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego before King Nebuchadnezzar, as detailed in Daniel chapter 3. The lyrics vividly depict the king's golden idol and the draconian decree demanding universal worship, with the fiery furnace awaiting those who dared to disobey. This tyrannical ultimatum, a stark choice between idolatry and agonizing death, sets the stage for a monumental display of courage. The three Hebrew men’s response, captured in the song’s powerful refusal, is a direct musical parallel to their biblical declaration: "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up" (Daniel 3:17-18). Their unwavering commitment to their God, their "El Shaddai," even with the very real prospect of perishing, beautifully underscores the song's central message: true worship is not contingent on deliverance, but absolute in its devotion.
Throughout the song, the recurring chorus elevates this unwavering faith into a magnificent declaration of divine praise. "Be glorified, be magnified, Our El Shaddai, praise Adonai, We cry holy, we cry holy, we cry holy, Adonai" is not merely a chant but an explosion of adoration, acknowledging God’s supreme power and holy nature. "El Shaddai," meaning "God Almighty," and "Adonai," meaning "Lord" or "Master," are ancient, sacred titles for God, invoked here to affirm His sovereignty over all situations, good or ill. The cry of "holy, holy, holy" echoes the seraphim in Isaiah 6:3 and the elders in Revelation 4:8, signifying the absolute purity and majestic nature of God, a reverence due to Him regardless of personal trials or threats. This constant affirmation of God's character serves as the anchor, reminding us that even when all seems lost, or when faith demands the ultimate sacrifice, God remains worthy of all praise. "Regardless" by Jimmy Needham is a moving musical sermon, calling people to a faith that looks beyond immediate outcomes, a faith rooted in the immutable character of God, a faith that trusts and praises Him, come what may.