Martin Smith - Shout to the North Lyrics
Lyrics
Men of faith rise up and sing
Of the great and glorious king
You are strong when you feel weak
In your brokenness complete
Shout to the north and the south
Sing to the east and the west
Jesus is saviour to all
Lord of heaven and earth
Rise up women of the truth
Stand and sing to broken hearts
Who can know the healing power
Of our awesome king of love
We've been through fire.
We've been through rain
We've been refined by the
power of his name
We've fallen deeper in love with you
You've burned the truth on our lips
Rise up church with broken wings
Fill this place with songs again
Of our God who regins on high
By his grace again we'll fly.
Video
Shout to the North
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on June 5, 2010, Martin Smith's "Shout to the North" immediately sets forth a powerful, unwavering call to collective worship and resolute faith. Far from a mere song, it functions as a rallying cry, inviting believers across the globe to embrace their divine identity and declare the sovereignty of Jesus Christ. The piece opens by reminding us that strength is found not in human capability but in a divine paradox: "You are strong when you feel weak / In your brokenness complete." This profound truth resonates with the apostle Paul's declaration in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, where Christ tells him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." It’s a message that disarms the burden of perfection and empowers us to lean fully into God's sustaining grace, finding wholeness even in our most vulnerable moments.
The song then bursts into a global anthem, urging us to "Shout to the north and the south / Sing to the east and the west." This expansive directive is a vivid echo of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19, to "go and make disciples of all nations," and Psalm 96:3, which calls for declaring God's glory among the nations. It emphasizes the universal lordship of Jesus, affirming that "Jesus is saviour to all / Lord of heaven and earth." The message is unequivocally clear: Christ’s dominion knows no geographical bounds, and His salvation is available to every soul. Furthermore, the inclusion of "Rise up women of the truth / Stand and sing to broken hearts" thoughtfully broadens the call, affirming the essential role of women in sharing the healing power of God’s love. This aligns with Luke 4:18-19, where Jesus proclaims His mission to "proclaim good news to the poor... to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free," underscoring the compassionate outreach inherent in the Christian walk.
The heart of the song delves into the journey of faith, acknowledging the inevitable trials that shape us. "We've been through fire. / We've been through rain / We've been refined by the / power of his name." This powerful imagery directly references biblical themes of purification and endurance. Isaiah 43:2 assures us of God's presence through life’s floods and flames, while 1 Peter 1:6-7 speaks of trials testing faith "like gold refined by fire." It’s through these very challenges that believers are not destroyed but "refined," emerging with a deeper connection and an unshakeable love for God. The line, "You've burned the truth on our lips," evokes a sense of divine commissioning, akin to Jeremiah 20:9 where God’s word becomes an uncontainable fire within, compelling us to speak it. This transformation through adversity leads to a profound intimacy, a confession of having "fallen deeper in love with you."
The song culminates with a message of profound hope and restoration for the Church, addressing its woundedness: "Rise up church with broken wings / Fill this place with songs again." This metaphor of "broken wings" speaks to periods of weariness, disillusionment, or spiritual struggle within the faith community. Yet, it swiftly pivots to a promise of divine intervention, declaring, "Of our God who regins on high / By his grace again we'll fly." This echoes Isaiah 40:31, which beautifully states, "those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles." It's a reminder that even when the Church feels weak or fragmented, God's sovereign grace provides the means for renewal, enabling collective worship to rise once more and inspiring believers to reach new heights of spiritual purpose. "Shout to the North" therefore stands as a timeless anthem, a powerful testament to Christ's universal Lordship, the transformative power of trials, and the unwavering grace that empowers the Church to rise, proclaim, and soar.