Matt Maher - The Cross Forever Speaks Lyrics
Lyrics
Though I’m pressed on every side
I still know I’m not abandoned
Though the ways of God aren’t mine
I still know I’m not forsaken
Take all the breath in my lungs
You’ll hear the rocks crying glory to God
Take everything that I’ve got
And you’ll see two empty hands lifted up
You may silence me
The cross forever speaks
Though I’m filled with questions why
I still know I’m not abandoned
Though I suffer in this life
I still know I’m not forsaken
Take all the breath in my lungs
You’ll hear the rocks crying glory to God
Take everything that I’ve got
And you’ll see two empty hands lifted up
You may silence me
The cross forever speaks
Forgiveness for
My enemies
Mercy and grace
I am set free
The price of love
Is paid in full
His blood poured out
How beautiful
Take all the breath in my lungs
You’ll hear the rocks crying glory to God
Take everything that I’ve got
And you’ll see two empty hands lifted up
You may silence me
You may silence me
You may silence me
The cross forever speaks
Video
Matt Maher - The Cross Forever Speaks (Official Audio)
Meaning & Inspiration
Matt Maher's "The Cross Forever Speaks," released on September 29, 2017, is a profound declaration of unwavering faith and hope rooted in the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. The song delves into the persistent struggles and uncertainties of life, acknowledging feelings of being “pressed on every side” and “filled with questions why.” Yet, at its core, the message is one of profound assurance: "I still know I'm not abandoned," and "I still know I'm not forsaken." This unwavering conviction stems directly from the central tenet of Christian belief – the enduring power and redemptive work of the cross. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of surrender, where even the very breath in one's lungs and all possessions are offered up, resulting in "two empty hands lifted up." This imagery echoes the humility and reliance found in Scripture, reminding us of the disciples who left everything to follow Jesus.
The song’s meaning is deeply entwined with the concept of divine love and sacrifice. The lines "Forgiveness for my enemies, mercy and grace, I am set free" directly reference the outcome of Jesus’ crucifixion, fulfilling prophecies and offering salvation to all who believe. The statement "The price of love is paid in full, His blood poured out, how beautiful" is a direct allusion to the atonement, a cornerstone of the Gospel. This is powerfully supported by verses like 1 Peter 2:24, which states Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live to righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. The ultimate assurance comes in the repeated refrain, "You may silence me, the cross forever speaks." This speaks to the unassailable truth and ongoing impact of Christ’s sacrifice, a message that transcends any earthly silencing. It reminds us of the early church’s boldness in proclaiming the Gospel even in the face of persecution, as seen in Acts 4:20: "For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." The song encourages listeners to find solace and strength in the unchangeable reality of the cross, a constant source of glory to God, as the lyrics powerfully suggest by stating, "You'll hear the rocks crying glory to God," drawing from Jesus' own words in Luke 19:40 that if his followers remained silent, the very stones would cry out. Maher’s composition serves as a resonant reminder that amidst life’s trials, the message of the cross is an everlasting testament to God’s unfailing love and redemptive power, offering true freedom and hope.