Lyrics
Verse 1
Above all powers
Above all kings
Above all nature
And all created things
Above all wisdom
And all the ways of man
You were here
Before the world began
Verse 2
Above all kingdoms
Above all thrones
Above all wonders
The world has ever known
Above all wealth
And treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure
What You're worth
Verse 3
Crucified
Laid behind a stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all
Verse 1 (Repeat)
Above all powers
Above all kings
Above all nature
And all created things
Above all wisdom
And all the ways of man
You were here
Before the world began
Verse 2 (Repeat)
Above all kingdoms
Above all thrones
Above all wonders
The world has ever known
Above all wealth
And treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure
What You're worth
Verse 3 (Repeat)
Crucified
Laid behind a stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all
Verse 3 (Repeat)
Crucified
Laid behind a stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all
Outro
Like the rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Above All” by Michael W. Smith is a worship song that places Christ over everything: powers, kings, nature, and created things, as well as wisdom, kingdoms, thrones, wonders, and wealth. It adds that He was here before the world began, which is close to Colossians 1:16-17 and John 1:1-3.
The second half moves from majesty to the cross. The words “Crucified, laid behind a stone, you lived to die, rejected and alone” recall Isaiah 53:3, and the image of a rose trampled on the ground suggests the fragile, ill-treated figure of that passage. The song then says that He took the fall and thought of the singer, a personal turn that echoes Galatians 2:20.
The lyric returns to “Above all” after each stanza, making the two ideas of glory and sacrifice sit side by side. The song closes with the line about the rose. It is a reverent, reflective expression of Christ’s worth.
Related Scripture
- Colossians 1:16-17 All things created through Him and held together in Him
- Isaiah 53:3 Despised and rejected
- Galatians 2:20 The Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me