Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope for a life spent with You
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
King of all days
oh, so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love's sake became poor
I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
Here I Am To Worship
Here I Am To Worship Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
The song "Here I Am To Worship," performed by Matt Papa in a version released with an accompanying video on May 30, 2022, stands as a widely recognized contemporary worship anthem. Its enduring appeal lies in its direct and heartfelt expression of adoration and surrender to God. While the lyrics were originally written by Tim Hughes, Matt Papa's rendition brings a renewed focus to its powerful message for a modern audience.
The opening lines immediately establish the theme of God's redemptive arrival. Referring to God as the "Light of the world" entering "darkness" echoes biblical descriptions of Christ's coming, as seen in John 8:12 and John 1:5. The lyric speaks to a personal awakening ("Opened my eyes, let me see"), reflecting a transformation in understanding and perspective that often comes through faith, aligning with passages like Ephesians 1:18. This revelation leads to perceiving a "Beauty that made this heart adore You," a beauty found in God's character and actions, inspiring devotion and offering "Hope for a life spent with You," a theme resonant with the promise of eternal life and fellowship with God mentioned in Colossians 1:27.
The heart of the song is captured in its central declaration: "Here I am to worship / Here I am to bow down / Here I am to say that You're my God." This expresses a posture of humility and submission, recognizing God's supreme authority and worthiness of praise, a sentiment found throughout the Psalms, such as Psalm 95:6. The subsequent lines describe God with terms like "altogether lovely," "altogether worthy," and "altogether wonderful," affirming His perfect nature and deserving of all honor, drawing parallels to descriptions of divine glory and worthiness in Revelation 4:11 and Isaiah 9:6.
The song transitions to reflect on God's sovereignty and humility. Acknowledging God as "King of all days" and "highly exalted / Glorious in heaven above" points to His eternal reign and transcendent majesty, as celebrated in Psalm 93:1. Yet, the lyrics then highlight the profound truth of His incarnation: "Humbly You came to the earth You created." This speaks directly to the mystery of Christ, who, being divine, took on human form, willingly humbling Himself, as described in Philippians 2:5-8 and John 1:14. This act is explicitly stated as being "All for love's sake," becoming "poor" for humanity, a powerful expression of God's self-giving love referenced in 2 Corinthians 8:9 and John 3:16.
The final lines of the song offer a contemplative reflection on the cost of this love and humility. The statement "I'll never know how much it cost / To see my sin upon that cross" grapples with the immense sacrifice made through Christ's crucifixion. It acknowledges that the penalty for human sin was borne by God on the cross, a central tenet of Christian faith explained in passages like Isaiah 53:5-6 and 1 Peter 2:24. This admission of the immeasurable cost underscores the depth of God's grace and mercy, prompting a response of worship and gratitude that the song beautifully encapsulates.