Matt Maher - Burning In My Soul Lyrics

Matt Maher - Burning In My Soul (Official Lyric Video)

Burning In My Soul Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

Matt Maher's song "Burning In My Soul," released alongside its official lyric video on March 21, 2013, serves as a powerful anthem of spiritual yearning and corporate expectation. The opening lines establish a scene of unity and anticipation, declaring the presence of "power" in the current "hour" as people are "all together, waiting here as one." This sets the stage for a collective posture of readiness for a divine encounter, emphasizing the communal aspect of faith and worship.

The central theme of the song emerges clearly in the chorus, drawing heavily on biblical imagery associated with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The "sound from Heaven," the "mighty rushing wind," and the call for God's "fire to fall again" are direct allusions to the events of Pentecost described in Acts chapter 2. There, the disciples were gathered together when a sound like a rushing wind filled the house, and tongues like fire rested on them, leading to a powerful spiritual awakening and empowerment. The song explicitly links this historical event to a present-day prayer for "revival," signaling a desire for a similar transformative work of God's Spirit in the lives of believers and the wider community. The repeated phrase "It's burning in my soul" encapsulates the personal experience of this divine presence and power, signifying an internal passion, conviction, and spiritual life ignited by God's Spirit.

The lyrics expand on the impact of this spiritual renewal by referencing "all your sons and your daughters," who are "dreaming the dreams of their father" and "seeing the signs and the wonders" of "The Kingdom of God." This reflects the prophecy in Joel 2:28-29, quoted by Peter in Acts 2, which foretold that in the last days, God would pour out His Spirit on all people, resulting in sons and daughters prophesying, old men dreaming dreams, and young men seeing visions, accompanied by signs and wonders. The song connects the sought-after revival to the fulfillment of this promise, where the Spirit empowers believers to participate in and witness the active presence and work of God's Kingdom on earth. The dreams referenced are not merely personal ambitions, but spiritual visions and purposes aligned with God's will, inspired by Him ("their father").

The bridge further emphasizes the intensely personal yet outward-focused nature of this spiritual fire. The lines "I cannot contain it this fire inside" and "I cannot contain it this light of mine" speak to an overwhelming inner experience of God's Spirit that is irrepressible. This internal energy and conviction must find expression, as indicated by the plea "so let it shine." This echoes the biblical concept of believers being light in the world (Matthew 5:16), suggesting that the "burning in my soul" is not meant to be hidden but is intended to illuminate others and glorify God. The song concludes by reiterating the initial theme of communal expectation and the personal cry for the fire to start and continue burning deep within, summarizing the song's journey from collective prayer for revival to the deeply personal reception and expression of God's Spirit.