Mark Trammell Quartet - I Have a Heavenly Father Lyrics
Lyrics
Sometimes burdens so heavy to carry
Send me down to my knees
In the Lord's presence, I will then tarry
Waiting for victory
As I look upward into His glory
Troubles all fade from view
When a sweet voice says, '"Child, rejoice
I'm watching over you.
I have a heavenly father
Watching over me each day
Oh, I have a heavenly father
Watching every step I take
I will not tremble in the dark shadows
When I can't see my way
For I have a heavenly father
Watching me each day
Traveling over the hills and mountains
I am led by His hand
When I am thirsty, He is my fountain
In the dry desert sand
Crossing the troubled waters He's with me
Walking on every wave
He's loving so much it's easy to trust
With simple childlike faith
I have a heavenly father
Watching over me each day
Oh, I have a heavenly father
Watching every step I take
I will not tremble in the dark shadows
When I can't see my way
For I have a heavenly father
Watching me each day
I have a heavenly father
Watching over me each day
Oh, I have a heavenly father
Watching every step I take
I will not tremble in the dark shadows
When I can't see my way
For I have a heavenly father
Watching me each day
Oh, I have a heavenly father
Watching me each day
Video
Mark Trammell Trio. I Have A Heavenly Father Watching Over Me. 2003
Meaning & Inspiration
The Mark Trammell Quartet’s rendition of “I Have a Heavenly Father” is a powerful testament to unwavering faith, a resonant declaration that finds its spiritual anchor in the profound truth of God’s constant presence and loving care. Released as part of their 2003 album and later re-issued on February 19, 2014, by StowTown Records, this song doesn't just offer a melody; it unfolds a profound spiritual narrative deeply rooted in biblical promises. The lyrical journey begins by acknowledging the weight of earthly struggles, moments when "burdens so heavy to carry" can indeed bring us to our knees. Yet, this vulnerability is not a sign of defeat but an invitation to tarry in the Lord's presence, a sacred space for waiting and seeking divine intervention, mirroring the psalmist's cry in Psalm 40:1, "I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry." The song beautifully illustrates that in this posture of humble dependence, "troubles all fade from view" as one looks towards God's glory. This echoes the assurance found in Isaiah 26:3: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." The intimate reassurance, "Child, rejoice, I'm watching over you," speaks directly to the personal nature of God's care, a truth woven throughout Scripture, from His watchful eye over Israel in Deuteronomy 11:12 to the intimate understanding described in Matthew 10:30, "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."
The chorus, "I have a heavenly father, watching over me each day," serves as the heart of the song’s message, a resolute confession of faith. This isn't just a hopeful sentiment; it's a conviction born from understanding God as our Father, as revealed in Matthew 6:26, where Jesus points to the birds of the air, stating, "Are ye not much better than they?" and in Romans 8:15, where believers have received "the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." The repeated affirmation, "Watching every step I take," draws parallels with Psalm 23:4, which assures us, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." This divine oversight provides the strength to face darkness and uncertainty, declaring, "I will not tremble in the dark shadows when I can't see my way." This fearless trust is grounded in the understanding that God’s light perpetually guides us, as Proverbs 3:5-6 promises, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
The second verse expands on this profound reliance, using vivid imagery of guidance and provision. The journey through life's landscape, whether traversing "hills and mountains" or navigating "dry desert sand," is depicted as a process where God's hand leads. This beautifully illustrates the promise in Isaiah 41:10: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." When we are spiritually parched, He is our "fountain," a metaphor for the living water He provides, as described in John 4:14, where Jesus tells the Samaritan woman, "but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst again." The powerful imagery of crossing "troubled waters" and "walking on every wave" speaks to God’s ability to calm the storms of life and provide peace amidst chaos, much like His calming of the sea in Mark 4:39. This profound love fosters an "easy to trust" relationship, characterized by "simple childlike faith," a quality Jesus Himself highlighted as essential for entering the kingdom of heaven in Matthew 18:3. The Mark Trammell Quartet’s performance imbues this message with a deep sincerity, making "I Have a Heavenly Father" an enduring anthem of comfort and unshakeable hope for every believer facing the journey of life.