Verse:
Lord, I lift Your name on high
Lord, I love to sing Your praises
I'm so glad You're in my life
I'm so glad You came to save us
Chorus:
You came from heaven to earth
To show the way
From the earth to the cross
My debt to pay
From the cross to the grave
From the grave to the sky
Lord, I lift Your name on high
Go to VERSE
Go to CHORUS
Go to CHORUS
Lord, I lift Your name on high...
Lord I Lift Your Name On High
Lord I Lift Your Name On High Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
"Lord I Lift Your Name On High" by Maranatha! Music is a widely recognized and beloved worship song, known for its simple yet profound expression of praise and the gospel narrative. While the song itself was written by Rick Founds and gained prominence in the late 1980s, Maranatha! Music has included it in many of their releases and released a specific video version on March 30, 2016, bringing the song to new audiences or reaffirming its presence for others. The enduring appeal lies in its accessible language and clear theological message.
The verse immediately establishes a personal and corporate posture of worship. "Lord, I lift Your name on high" is a direct declaration of God's supremacy and worthiness of exaltation, a common theme throughout the Psalms (e.g., Psalm 34:3). This is coupled with an expression of devotion, "Lord, I love to sing Your praises," highlighting worship as an act of affection and joy. The lines "I'm so glad You're in my life" and "I'm so glad You came to save us" shift the focus to personal experience and gratitude for God's presence and the salvific act of Jesus Christ. These opening lines create a foundation of intimate thankfulness before moving into the core message.
The chorus serves as a concise summary of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, encapsulating the essential gospel story. The progression "You came from heaven to earth / To show the way" points to the incarnation and Jesus' earthly ministry as the ultimate example and path (John 1:14, John 14:6). This moves to "From the earth to the cross / My debt to pay," highlighting the atoning sacrifice where Jesus bore the sins of humanity (1 Peter 2:24, Isaiah 53:5-6). The journey continues "From the cross to the grave," acknowledging His burial (Matthew 27:57-60), and climaxes with "From the grave to the sky," celebrating His resurrection and ascension (1 Corinthians 15:4, Acts 1:9). This powerful, step-by-step recounting of Christ's work provides the fundamental reason for lifting His name on high.
The structure, alternating between the personal praise of the verse and the declarative gospel message of the chorus, makes the song highly singable and memorable in group settings. It allows worshipers to express both their individual relationship with God and their shared belief in the foundational events of Christianity. The repetition reinforces the key themes and the central act of raising God's name in honor. The song's meaning is straightforward: it is an act of worship that celebrates God's nature, His presence in the believer's life, and specifically the redemptive work of Jesus Christ from His descent to earth to His ascension. It serves as a reminder of God's immense love and the historical truth of the gospel.
By focusing on these core elements – God's transcendence, personal gratitude, and the redemptive history of Christ – the song effectively facilitates worship. It encourages believers to fix their attention on God's actions and respond with adoration and praise. The simple yet profound lyrics resonate deeply, reminding individuals and communities of faith of the central truths that underpin their hope and salvation, naturally leading to the response articulated in the title: "Lord, I lift Your name on high."
