Lyrics
Verse 1
You spoke those words, "Let there be light"
And it was, oh
And in that same breath, the stars fell in line
With one voice, creation cries
"You do all things well
You do all things well"
Chorus (Repeat)
Be praised
Be praised
Forever and always
Verse 2
Lost in the dark up under the dirt
I was buried, left to die
And I heard Your voice calling my name
From the tomb, I came alive
You do all things well
From the tomb, I came alive
You do all things well
Chorus (Repeat, extended)
Be praised
Be praised
Be praised, King Jesus
Be praised forever
Be praised, oh
Be praised forever
Forever and always
Be magnified, be glorified
Bridge
Oh, when I think of all You've done
And all the battles You've brought me over
Hallelujah
And all the storms I saw Him calm
In my defense, my only song is
Hallelujah
And how He never let me fall
Now unto Him who is able
Hallelujah, thank You, Jesus, Lord
And let there never be a day
That I don't rise to bring You praise
Hallelujah, oh, hallelujah
Be praised
Chorus (Repeat, extended)
Be praised (Oh)
Be praised (You're so good, God)
Be praised (For Your faithfulness)
Be praised (Forever)
Forever and always
Vamp (Repeat)
That's how long You're worthy
That's how long I'll bring You praise
Refrain (Repeat)
Forever and always
Interlude
Forever is a long time
And we're gonna spend every moment with You
Bridge (Repeat)
Chorus (Repeat, closing)
Be praised (From our hearts)
Be praised (With everything)
Be praised (With everything within us)
Be praised (Let everything that has breath)
Be praised (Forever)
Forever and always
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
"Be Praised" opens by quoting creation's first recorded command, let there be light, describing stars falling into place within the same breath and all creation crying out that God does all things well. That cosmic opening, light and stars responding instantly to spoken word, frames the entire song around power demonstrated from the very beginning of time.
Its second verse shifts from cosmic creation to personal resurrection, describing being buried and left for dead before hearing a voice calling by name and coming alive from the tomb. That pairing, creation's light and personal resurrection, ties the same creative, life-giving power to both the universe and one individual life.
Rooted in contemporary worship's extended declarative anthem tradition, the song functions as an unending declaration of praise for both cosmic and personal acts of power, its repeated bridge naming calmed storms and prevented falls as further evidence, closing on the claim that praise will continue for as long as God remains worthy, which is forever.
Related Scripture
- Genesis 1:3 Describes God speaking light into existence, directly echoed in the song's opening verse.
- John 11:43-44 Describes Jesus calling Lazarus by name out of the tomb, echoed in the song's description of being called alive from the tomb.