Newsboys - Presence (My Heart's Desire) Lyrics
Lyrics
I lift up my voice
To The King, The King of glory
I hold out my hands
To The One who is worthy
I long for Your presence
I long, Lord, I need Your touch
Chorus:
Come, oh Lord, and fill up my life
With the light of Your presence
This is my heart's desire
Oh Father, come and let Your spirit abide
I long for Your presence
This is my heart's desire
I long to be washed
In the well of Your mercy
I long to be warmed
By the fire of Your glory
I long for Your presence
I long for Your healing touch
Come oh Lord and fill up my life
With the light of Your presence
This is my heart's desire
Oh Father, come and let Your spirit abide
I long for Your presence
This is my heart's desire
It's my desire
(I wanna feel Your presence)
Lord, it's my desire
(I wanna feel Your presence)
Lord, You're my desire
(I wanna feel Your presence)
I wanna feel Your presence
I wanna feel Your presence
I wanna feel Your presence - Jesus
Come oh Lord and fill up my life
With the light of Your presence
This is my heart's desire (this is my heart's desire, oh...)
Come and let Your spirit abide
I long for Your presence (presence...)
This is my heart's desire (this is my heart's desire, oh...)
Come oh Lord and fill up my life (fill up my life)
With the light of Your presence
This is my heart's desire (this is my heart's desire, oh...)
Come and let Your spirit abide
I long for Your presence
This is my heart's desire
It's my desire
Lord, You're my desire
Lord, You're my desire
Video
Presence (my hearts desire) - Newsboys
Meaning & Inspiration
The Newsboys offered a profound journey into spiritual intimacy with their release "Presence (My Heart's Desire)," featured on their 2004 album, *Devotion*. Unveiled on November 2, 2004, this track stands as a testament to the band's unwavering commitment to creating worship music that resonates deeply with the soul. The song’s essence is a heartfelt plea for God's tangible presence, articulating a universal yearning that echoes through the human experience when seeking divine connection.
From its opening lines, the song establishes itself as a direct address to the Almighty, an act of humble adoration and sincere supplication. It speaks of lifting one's voice to the "King of glory" and holding out hands to the "One who is worthy," portraying a posture of reverence and expectation that is deeply rooted in biblical worship. This mirrors the invitations found in Scripture to approach God with praise and open hearts, as seen in passages like Psalm 95:6, which calls us to "come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker." The expressed longing for God's "presence" and "touch" articulates a spiritual thirst, reminiscent of Psalm 63:1, where David declares, "My soul thirsts for You; my flesh faints for You, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water." This sets the stage for a message centered entirely on the desperate need for God's nearness.
The chorus serves as the song's central prayer and declaration: "Come, oh Lord, and fill up my life with the light of Your presence; This is my heart's desire; Oh Father, come and let Your spirit abide." This petition reflects a profound understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in Christian life, aligning with Jesus' promise in John 14:16-17 that the Father would give an "Advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth." The desire to be filled with the "light of Your presence" invokes the transformative power of God's glory, echoing 2 Corinthians 4:6, which speaks of "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." This isn't merely a request for a fleeting encounter, but a yearning for an abiding, indwelling Spirit, a perpetual state of being saturated with divine light and guidance.
The song continues to deepen this yearning, moving from general praise to a more personal plea for cleansing and renewal. Phrases like "I long to be washed in the well of Your mercy" and "I long to be warmed by the fire of Your glory" paint vivid images of purification and divine comfort. The "well of Your mercy" brings to mind the abundant grace that washes away sin, much like Titus 3:5 describes God saving us "through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." To be "warmed by the fire of Your glory" speaks to God's refining and comforting presence, a fire that purifies and sustains, rather than consumes, as illustrated in Exodus 3:2 with the burning bush. This section also introduces the longing for a "healing touch," affirming God's power to restore and mend, a truth consistently found in Scripture, such as in Psalm 103:2-3, which reminds us that God "forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases."
Ultimately, "Presence (My Heart's Desire)" culminates in a resolute declaration, "Lord, You're my desire," repeated with escalating intensity. This isn't a casual preference but a foundational craving, a recognition that God Himself is the ultimate object of devotion, the deepest yearning of the soul. This resonates with Philippians 3:8, where Paul expresses his conviction that "everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." The song serves as a powerful anthem for anyone seeking a more intimate relationship with the Creator, a stirring reminder that true fulfillment is found not in worldly pursuits, but in the all-consuming, life-giving presence of God. It encourages believers to articulate their deepest spiritual needs and to confidently ask for God's Spirit to fill their lives, transform their hearts, and make His presence their ultimate desire.