NewSong - Keep Me Close Lyrics
Lyrics
Oh God of mercy
Oh love unfailing
You understand the sinner's heart
You're never changing
I'm ever wandering
Lord keep me close to where you are
Close to where you are
Oh God of mercy
Oh love unfailing
You understand the sinner's heart
You're never changing
I'm ever wandering
Lord keep me close to where you are
Close to where you are
You are the God who makes a way
When there is no other way
Keep me close, keep me close
Keep me close to where you are
I will fix my eyes on you
In your presence I'm made new
Keep me clo-o-o-o-ose, close to where you are
A peace that passes all understanding
Grace that bridges worlds apart
Here in your presence, I find what's missing
Lord keep me close to where you are
Close to where you are
You are the God who makes a way
When there is no other way
Keep me close, keep me close
Keep me close to where you are
I will fix my eyes on you
In your presence I'm made new
Keep me clo-o-o-o-ose, close to where you are
Surrounded by your presence Lord
Is where my soul belongs
And I will pursue no other name but your's and your's alone
Surrounded by your presence Lord
Is where my soul belongs
And I will pursue no other name but your's and your's alone
Surrounded by your presence Lord
Is where my soul belongs
And I will pursue no other name but your's and your's alone
You are the God who makes a way
When there is no other way
Keep me close, keep me close
Keep me close to where you are
You are the God who makes a way
When there is no other way
Keep me close, keep me close
Keep me close to where you are
I will fix my eyes on you
In your presence I'm made new
Keep me clo-o-o-o-ose, close to where you are
Oh Lord
Keep me close, close to where you are
Close to where you are
Video
Newsong - "Keep Me Close" (OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO)
Meaning & Inspiration
NewSong's "Keep Me Close," released on March 8, 2015, as part of their *Faithful (Live Worship) [Deluxe]* album, stands as a profound declaration of spiritual dependence and longing. This composition isn't merely a song; it's a sincere prayer, echoing the age-old human struggle with wandering and the divine steadfastness that continually calls us home. It articulates the believer's deep desire to remain intimately connected to God, acknowledging His unwavering character in contrast to our own propensity to stray.
The core message of "Keep Me Close" beautifully portrays the divine tension between God’s perfect nature and humanity’s imperfect journey. It opens with an invocation of God’s boundless mercy and unfailing love, a love that fully comprehends the brokenness of the human heart. This understanding is a profound comfort, reminding us that even in our deepest failings, God sees us with compassion, not condemnation, much like Psalm 103:13-14 describes a father's pity for his children, knowing our frame. The lyrics then pivot to confess the human condition: "I'm ever wandering." This self-awareness, that we are prone to drift from the spiritual path, resonates deeply with scriptural truths like Isaiah 53:6, which states, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way." Amidst this human inconsistency, the song anchors itself in the unchanging nature of God, a truth affirmed in Malachi 3:6, "For I the Lord do not change." The earnest plea, "Lord keep me close to where you are," becomes a vulnerable cry for divine tethering, a longing to abide in the presence of the One who remains constant.
As the song progresses, it elevates God's sovereign power, declaring Him as "the God who makes a way, When there is no other way." This powerful affirmation speaks to divine intervention in impossible circumstances, echoing the miraculous provision God has shown throughout history, from parting the Red Sea (Exodus 14) to the ultimate provision of salvation through Jesus Christ, who Himself declared, "I am the way" (John 14:6). This recognition of God's ability to forge paths through impassable situations fuels the worshipper's determination to "fix my eyes on you." This act of focused devotion, reminiscent of Hebrews 12:2, which urges us to look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, is presented as the catalyst for transformation. The profound truth "In your presence I'm made new" highlights the restorative power of dwelling with God, a spiritual renewal that mirrors 2 Corinthians 3:18, where we are described as being transformed into His image from glory to glory as we behold Him.
The lyrical journey further unfolds to celebrate the transcendent blessings found in God's nearness. The peace experienced is "a peace that passes all understanding," a direct callback to Philippians 4:7, which promises that God's peace will guard our hearts and minds. This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but flows from a deep connection with the divine. The mention of "grace that bridges worlds apart" powerfully encapsulates the redemptive work of Christ, reconciling humanity to God through His unmerited favor, as illuminated in Ephesians 2:8-9. Within this sacred space, the song declares, "Here in your presence, I find what's missing," underscoring that true fulfillment and completeness are found not in worldly pursuits but in the abundant life offered by God, a sentiment echoed in Colossians 2:9-10, where it is stated that in Christ we have been made complete.
The song culminates in a powerful declaration of singular devotion: "Surrounded by your presence Lord, Is where my soul belongs, And I will pursue no other name but your's and your's alone." This final assertion is a commitment to exclusive worship, acknowledging that the soul finds its ultimate home and purpose in God's presence, as beautifully articulated in Psalm 16:11, "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy." The resolute refusal to pursue any other name stands as a profound covenant, aligning with the first commandment to have no other gods before Him (Exodus 20:3) and recognizing Jesus' name as the name above all names (Philippians 2:9-11). "Keep Me Close" by NewSong is more than just a worship anthem; it's a spiritual anchor, inviting every heart to humbly acknowledge its wandering nature, wholeheartedly embrace God’s unchanging grace, and fervently seek His presence, where true peace, renewal, and belonging eternally reside.