Matt Maher - Alive & Breathing Lyrics

Matt Maher - Alive & Breathing feat. Elle Limebear (Lyric Video)

Alive & Breathing Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

Matt Maher's song "Alive & Breathing," featuring Elle Limebear, offers a powerful message of hope and perseverance grounded in faith. Released as a lyric video on October 11, 2019, the song serves as an anthem for finding reasons to praise God even in challenging times. The lyrics explore the internal landscape of the listener, asking what occupies their heart and mind, validating that these thoughts and cares are not in vain. It sets the stage for a message that transcends immediate circumstances, pointing towards enduring spiritual truths.

The central theme of the song is beautifully captured in the recurring chorus: "Joy still comes in the morning, Hope still walks with the hurting." This powerful assertion serves as an anchor, reminding listeners that difficult nights give way to dawn and that even amidst pain, hope remains accessible. The core call to action is simple yet profound: "If you're still alive and breathing, Praise the Lord." This elevates existence itself, regardless of struggle, into a fundamental reason for offering praise. The encouragement extends beyond passive endurance to active engagement – "Don't stop dancing and dreaming," suggesting that life's vibrant pursuits and future aspirations are not incompatible with faith, but rather can be expressions of it. The mention of "Good News worth repeating" points clearly to the Gospel message, the central narrative of Christian faith, as a source of ongoing encouragement and purpose.

The song delves into the human experience of losing one's way, reflecting on years passing and a sense of distance from a spiritual "home." However, it quickly pivots to the comforting assurance of God's presence and active pursuit, describing Him as finding the "child inside" that may have been left behind. This imagery speaks to themes of restoration, returning to a state of childlike faith or innocence, and being embraced by a loving heavenly Father. The repeated call, "Awake, awake, awake my soul," is a stirring spiritual awakening, urging the inner self to become alert and responsive to God's presence and truth. This call to awaken resonates with biblical invitations to spiritual vigilance and renewal.

The bridge expands the scope of praise to encompass all aspects of life, listing contrasting states and circumstances: "In the working, in the waiting," "In the blessing, in the breaking," "In the dying, the rising." This comprehensive list emphasizes the biblical principle that praise is not reserved only for moments of joy or triumph, but is a response appropriate for the entirety of human experience, including hardship and loss. The repetition of "Let everything praise the Lord" echoes Psalm 150:6, which calls for everything that has breath to praise the Lord. This section serves as a powerful reminder that faith provides a framework for finding meaning and offering gratitude in every season of life, recognizing God's hand and presence throughout.

The song's message aligns with several scriptural themes. The promise that "joy still comes in the morning" finds parallel in Psalm 30:5, which states, "weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." The concept of hope walking with the hurting reflects God's compassion and presence with those who suffer, a theme woven throughout the Psalms and the Gospels. The "Good News" is explicitly the Gospel (euangelion in Greek), the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. The call to praise in all circumstances connects to passages like 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which instructs believers to "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." The recognition of God as a Father who finds His children speaks to the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15) and the broader theme of God's loving pursuit of humanity. Ultimately, "Alive & Breathing" encourages listeners to recognize the simple gift of life itself as a reason to look up, lift their heads, and participate in the continuous act of praising God.