Lyrics
Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the One that guides my heart
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
Teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus, You're my hope and stay
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
You're my one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Matt Maher's "Lord I Need You" centers on a posture of complete dependence on Christ. The opening confession finds rest in bowing before God, acknowledging that human strength alone cannot hold. The refrain names Jesus as "my one defense, my righteousness," which echoes the biblical picture of Christ as the believer's advocate and the source of righteous standing before God—not something earned, but received.
The verse about sin and grace reflects a Pauline theme: where transgression abounds, grace abounds more fully. The line "Holiness is Christ in me" shifts the focus from moral self-improvement to union with Christ, implying that true holiness is not generated from within but derived from Christ's presence. The closing request for help in temptation and the declaration of Jesus as "hope and stay" round out the song as a continuing confession. It resounds as an ongoing prayer rather than a one-time event, grounding assurance in God's character and faithfulness instead of human performance.