Trees of life are blooming
And Your word plants the seed and we feel it growing, yeah
Your kindness leading to repentance
And we see traces
Of deliverance
Thank You for mercy
Oh, can You hear it?
It's the song of the redeemed
The pursuit of passion for the One who set us free
Oh, can You hear it?
We're crying out for more
Listen to our song
It's turning into a Holy Roar
A holy roar
Rivers of renewal
Spirit whisper a revival
And send us rushing
Lord, send us rushing
Open hearts with hopes of unity
Servants to love in lost humanity
Lord, send us reaching, yeah
Oh, can You hear it?
It's the song of the redeemed
The pursuit of passion for the One who set us free
Oh, can You hear it?
We're crying out for more
And listen to our song
It's turning into a Holy Roar
A holy roar, yeah
Oh, yeah
Oh, we come rejoicing and singing and crying out to You, Lord
Can you hear the Holy Roar
Yes, we come rejoicing and singing and crying out to You, Lord
Can you hear the Holy Roar
Yes, we come rejoicing and singing and crying out to You, Lord
Can you hear the Holy Roar
Yes, we come rejoicing and singing and crying out to You, Lord
Can you hear the Holy Roar, yeah
Oh, can you hear it?
Can you hear it?
Chris Tomlin - Holy Roar (Live From Church)
Holy Roar Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
"Holy Roar," as performed by Passion City Church and captured in the 2019 live recording featuring Chris Tomlin, is an anthem of fervent worship and spiritual awakening. The song opens with imagery rooted in growth and divine activity, speaking of "Trees of life" and the potent power of God's word acting as a seed that takes root and grows within believers. This initial picture sets a tone of life, vitality, and the foundational work of God in the heart, highlighting His role in initiating spiritual life and transformation.
The lyrical journey continues by acknowledging the profound impact of God's character on humanity. It points specifically to divine "kindness leading to repentance," a recognition that it is God's grace, not condemnation, that draws people to change. The song then testifies to experiencing "traces of deliverance" and expresses deep gratitude for "mercy," underscoring key elements of the salvation experience – freedom from bondage and unmerited favor. This section reflects on the personal and collective reality of being set free and forgiven.
The core of the song builds around the question, "Oh, can You hear it?" This is the voice of the "redeemed," those who have experienced this kindness, repentance, deliverance, and mercy. Their sound is characterized as a "pursuit of passion for the One who set us free," emphasizing a dynamic, active devotion to their rescuer. The cry for "more" signifies a deep longing for further encounter with God, a desire not to remain stagnant but to press into a greater experience of His presence and power. This collective sound of worship and desire culminates in the powerful declaration that the "song" is transforming, evolving into something more potent, a "Holy Roar."
The concept of the "Holy Roar" appears to represent a unified, passionate, and uninhibited expression of faith, praise, and perhaps spiritual authority emanating from the community of believers. It's not just a quiet melody but a powerful, potentially even disruptive, sound that captures the intensity of their devotion and longing. The song reinforces this by describing "Rivers of renewal" and the "Spirit whisper a revival," linking this outward expression to inward spiritual refreshing and a corporate move of God. The call to be "sent us rushing" and "sent us reaching" highlights a missional impulse stemming from this revival, urging believers towards unity and actively extending love to "lost humanity."
Scriptural themes woven throughout the lyrics include the imagery of the Tree of Life (Genesis 2:9, Revelation 22:2) symbolizing life and restoration. The idea of God's word as a seed planted in hearts echoes the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13). The concept of God's "kindness leading to repentance" is directly stated in Romans 2:4. The "song of the redeemed" relates to biblical accounts of the delivered singing praises (Exodus 15, Revelation 5:9). The desire for "rivers of renewal" and the Spirit's work aligns with promises of living water and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (John 7:38, Acts 2). The pursuit of "unity" among believers is a central theme in Jesus' prayer (John 17) and Paul's epistles (Ephesians 4). The command to love and reach "lost humanity" reflects the Great Commission and the call to love one's neighbor (Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 22:39). The "Holy Roar" itself, while not a direct biblical phrase, captures the spirit of loud, fervent praise and prophetic declaration found in various scriptures (e.g., the shout at Jericho in Joshua 6, the sound of many waters in Revelation). The video context of a live performance from church underscores the song's purpose as a corporate worship expression, a moment where this collective "Holy Roar" is literally lifted by the gathered body.
The repeated declaration, "Yes, we come rejoicing and singing and crying out to You, Lord," reinforces the active, celebratory, and heartfelt nature of this worship. It's a confident affirmation of their posture before God and the sound they are making. The final repetition of "Can you hear the Holy Roar" serves as both a question directed towards the divine and a rallying cry for the worshipers themselves, solidifying the central theme of their passionate, unified cry rising to God. The song serves as both an expression of current faith and an inspiration for listeners to join in this powerful, unified worship and mission.
