There is a Light
Bright Star Shining
In the Dark Night
Old Tales Come True
All Of our Fears
Hopes and Prayers
He Has Heard
And Answered Us
The Light Came Down
Cast The Darkness Away
He Appeared a Helpless Child
The Light of God Came Down
There is a Light
A New Day Dawning
Old Things Pass
All Things Made New
Prophets Have Spoken
All He’d Accomplished
When The Light of God
Would dwell With Men
The Light Came Down Video
The Light Came Down Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
The Light Came Down: A Deep Dive into Josh Garrels' Song
Introduction
Josh Garrels is a talented singer and songwriter known for his thought-provoking and soul-stirring music. One of his notable songs is "The Light Came Down," which is featured on his album titled "The Light Came Down."
Verse 1: A Dimly Shining Light
The song opens with the line, "O day of peace that dimly shines," immediately capturing the listener's attention with its poetic language. This line sets the tone for the entire song, introducing the theme of peace and the longing for its realization in a broken world. The use of the word "dimly" suggests that peace is not fully realized yet, but there is hope for its arrival.
The following lines, "Through all our hopes and prayers and dreams, Guide us to justice, truth, and love, Delivered from our selfish schemes," highlight the interconnectedness of actions, desires, and the pursuit of peace. Garrels emphasizes that true peace goes beyond wishful thinking; it requires active pursuit of justice, truth, and love. Moreover, he acknowledges the need to be delivered from selfishness, recognizing that our own schemes can hinder the establishment of peace.
Verse 2: Swords of Hate and Envy Released
In the second verse, Garrels continues to explore the theme of deliverance. He sings, "May swords of hate fall from our hands, Our hearts from envy find release," urging listeners to let go of hatred and envy. These negative emotions are significant barriers to peace, and by releasing them, individuals can contribute to a more peaceful world.
The verse also contains the line, "Till by God's grace our warring world, Shall see Christ's promised reign of peace." Here, Garrels introduces a spiritual element to the pursuit of peace. He acknowledges that true peace can only be achieved by God's grace and emphasizes the promise of Christ's reign of peace. This line reflects biblical teachings on the ultimate fulfillment of peace in the second coming of Christ.
Verse 3: The Peaceable Kingdom
The third verse of the song paints a vivid picture of the peaceable kingdom, drawing inspiration from Isaiah 11:6-9. Garrels sings, "Then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb, Nor shall the fierce devour the small; As beasts and cattle calmly graze, A little child shall lead them all." These lines depict a world where natural enemies peacefully coexist and a small child leads harmonious interactions between different creatures.
The song goes on to proclaim, "Then enemies shall learn to love, All creatures find their true accord; The hope of peace shall be fulfilled, For all the earth shall know the Lord." These lines express a profound hope for the transformation of enemies into lovers and the restoration of harmony among all creatures. The ultimate fulfillment of this hope is tied to the knowledge of the Lord, suggesting that true peace is intimately connected to a relationship with God.
Meaning and Inspiration
"The Light Came Down" is a song that speaks to the deep longing for peace in a broken world. It calls for active pursuit of justice, truth, and love, while also recognizing the need for personal deliverance from selfishness. The song draws inspiration from biblical passages, particularly Isaiah 11:6-9, which depict a vision of peaceable coexistence among all creatures. The ultimate source of peace is portrayed as God's grace and the promised reign of Christ.
The inspiration behind the song may lie in the recognition of the brokenness and divisions in the world. Garrels likely felt compelled to express the longing for peace and the hope for its realization through his music. The poetic and evocative language used in the song helps to convey the depth of these emotions and the desire for a transformed world.
Biblical Analysis
"The Light Came Down" is deeply rooted in biblical themes and teachings. The song's references to justice, truth, love, and the promised reign of Christ align with various biblical passages. The pursuit of justice and love can be seen in Micah 6:8, where the prophet calls for doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. The promise of Christ's reign of peace is found in Isaiah 9:6-7, where it is prophesied that a child will be born to establish an everlasting kingdom of peace.
The mention of the wolf dwelling with the lamb and the peaceful coexistence of all creatures aligns with Isaiah 11:6-9. This passage describes the peaceable kingdom that will be established under the rule of the Messiah. The song's vision of enemies learning to love and all creatures finding true accord reflects the biblical teachings of reconciliation and restoration found throughout the New Testament.
Conclusion
"The Light Came Down" by Josh Garrels is a powerful and thought-provoking song that explores the longing for peace in a broken world. Its poetic lyrics, biblical references, and evocative language create a deep emotional connection with the listener. The song calls for active pursuit of justice, truth, and love, while recognizing the need for personal transformation. Through its vivid imagery, it paints a picture of a peaceable kingdom where enemies become friends and harmony is restored among all creatures. Ultimately, the song points to the promise of Christ's reign of peace and the transformative power of God's grace.
