Paul Wilbur - Great I Am Lyrics
Lyrics
I want to be close, close to Your side
Where Heaven is real and death is a lie
I want to hear voices of angels above
Singing as one ? Hallelujah
Holy, Holy, God Almighty, The Great I AM
Who is worthy, none beside Thee
God Almighty, The Great I AM
I wanna be near, near to Your heart
Loving the world, hating the dark
I wanna see dry bones, living again
Singing as one ? Hallelujah
Holy, Holy, God Almighty, The Great I AM
Who is worthy, none beside Thee
God Almighty, The Great I AM
The Great I AM
The Great I AM
The Great I AM
The mountains shake before Him
The demons run and flee
At the mention of Your Name, King of Majesty
There is no power in hell
Or any who can stand
Before the Power and the Presence of The Great I AM
Hallelujah, Holy, Holy, God Almighty, The Great I AM
Who is worthy, none beside Thee, God Almighty, The Great I AM
Great I AM, You're The Great I AM
You're The Great I AM, The Great I AM
Video
Paul Wilbur - Great I AM - Lyrics - Your Great Name 2013
Meaning & Inspiration
Paul Wilbur's "Great I Am," released on May 19, 2013, as part of the album *Tu Gran Nombre*, immediately draws the worshiper into a profound contemplation of God's sovereign nature and unparalleled power. This song is not merely a collection of verses; it is a meticulously crafted theological statement, a prayer, and a declaration of faith that grounds believers in the eternal reality of who God is. From its opening lines, the piece articulates a deep, personal yearning for intimacy with the Divine, seeking closeness to God's side where "Heaven is real and death is a lie." This desire transcends mere emotional sentiment, reflecting a scriptural understanding that true life is found in drawing near to God, as Psalm 73:28 proclaims, "But as for me, it is good to be near God." It also embraces the core Christian truth found in John 11:25-26, where Jesus declares Himself to be "the resurrection and the life," promising eternal victory over death for those who believe. The aspiration to "hear voices of angels above / Singing as one – Hallelujah" paints a vivid picture of joining the heavenly chorus, resonating with the cosmic worship described in Revelation, particularly chapters 5 and 7, where countless beings laud God's worthiness.
The chorus then anchors this personal longing in the bedrock of God's unchangeable character: "Holy, Holy, God Almighty, The Great I AM / Who is worthy, none beside Thee." This declaration echoes the profound reverence for God's holiness found in Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 4:8, where His absolute purity and separateness are magnified. The central invocation, "The Great I AM," is deeply significant, recalling God's self-revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:14, signifying His eternal, self-existent, and ever-present nature. It asserts His unique identity as the ultimate reality, the one to whom all creation owes its existence and allegiance. This is further emphasized by the affirmation that "none beside Thee" is worthy, aligning with the monotheistic truth that God alone deserves worship and adoration.
Moving beyond personal spiritual experience, the song's second movement expresses a desire for active alignment with God's heart in the world. To "be near, near to Your heart / Loving the world, hating the dark" is not a call to embrace the fallen systems of the world, but rather to embody the sacrificial love for humanity exemplified by Christ (John 3:16), while simultaneously rejecting evil and sin (John 15:19, 1 John 2:15-17). This desire for spiritual transformation extends to a yearning to "see dry bones, living again." This powerful imagery is a direct reference to the prophet Ezekiel's vision in Ezekiel 37:1-14, symbolizing God's miraculous power to bring spiritual revival, restoration, and new life to situations that appear utterly devoid of hope. It’s a prayer for God’s redemptive power to manifest in profound and tangible ways, demonstrating His ability to resurrect what is dead and make it vibrant once more.
The song culminates in a powerful bridge that unequivocally declares God's supreme authority and dominion over all creation and spiritual forces. The imagery of "The mountains shake before Him / The demons run and flee" vividly portrays God's majesty and irresistible power, reflecting scriptural accounts of His control over nature (Psalm 97:4-5, Nahum 1:5) and His triumph over spiritual adversaries (James 4:7, Mark 16:17). This is further intensified by the assertion that "At the mention of Your Name, King of Majesty," underscoring the inherent power and reverence associated with God's name, especially the name of Jesus, before whom every knee will bow (Philippians 2:9-11). The ultimate declaration, "There is no power in hell / Or any who can stand / Before the Power and the Presence of The Great I AM," serves as a profound reassurance and a triumphant statement of God’s ultimate sovereignty. It echoes passages like Romans 8:38-39 and 1 John 4:4, which affirm that no force, visible or invisible, can separate believers from God's love or stand against His omnipotence. "Great I Am" is therefore much more than a song; it is a resounding affirmation of faith, a call to worship, and a powerful reminder of God's unwavering presence, ultimate authority, and infinite worthiness, designed to strengthen and inspire the hearts of all who encounter its message.