Petra - Lord, I Lift Your Name on High Lyrics
Lyrics
Words and music by Rick Founds
(Verse)
Lord, I lift Your name on high
Lord, I love to sing Your praises
I'm so glad You're in my life
I'm so glad You came to save us
(Chorus)
You came from heaven to earth
To show the way
From the earth to the cross
My debt to pay
From the cross to the grave
From the grave to the sky
Lord, I lift Your name on high
Repeat Verse
Repeat Chorus
Repeat Chorus
Lord, I lift Your name on high...
Video
Petra - Lord, I Lift Your Name On High
Meaning & Inspiration
Petra’s compelling rendition of "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High," featured on their 2006 release *The Ultimate Collection*, offers a powerful articulation of faith and adoration. While the song itself was penned by Rick Founds, Petra’s iconic sound infuses this worship staple with their distinctive rock energy, making its profound message resonate deeply with generations of believers. This particular recording brings renewed vigor to a hymn that has long transcended denominational boundaries, serving as a testament to the enduring truth embedded within its simple, yet potent, words.
At its heart, "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" is a straightforward yet comprehensive declaration of worship, gratitude, and a concise summary of Christian theology concerning salvation. It encapsulates the core narrative of Christ's redemptive journey from heaven to the cross, culminating in His resurrection and ascension. Petra’s interpretation honors this narrative, delivering it with an earnestness that amplifies its spiritual weight. The song’s structure encourages a full-circle expression of praise, moving from personal adoration to a profound acknowledgement of God’s saving work.
The opening verse immediately establishes a personal connection with the Divine: "Lord, I lift Your name on high / Lord, I love to sing Your praises / I'm so glad You're in my life / I'm so glad You came to save us." These lines are not merely a ritualistic utterance but a heartfelt outpouring of personal devotion. To "lift His name on high" mirrors the biblical call to exalt God, as seen in passages like Psalm 34:3, "Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." The joy expressed in singing praises echoes Psalm 95:1-2, which invites us to "come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation." The sense of gladness for God’s presence in one's life speaks to the intimate relationship believers can have with their Creator, reflecting the promise in John 14:23 that "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him." The final line of the verse, "I'm so glad You came to save us," directly acknowledges the pivotal act of salvation, a cornerstone of Christian faith often summarized by John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
The chorus then moves beyond personal gratitude to narrate the foundational story of redemption, functioning as a succinct creed: "You came from heaven to earth / To show the way / From the earth to the cross / My debt to pay / From the cross to the grave / From the grave to the sky / Lord, I lift Your name on high." This sequence traces the entire redemptive arc of Jesus Christ. His arrival "from heaven to earth" signifies the Incarnation, described in John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." He came "to show the way," affirming His own declaration in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." The journey "from the earth to the cross" encapsulates His ultimate sacrifice, where He paid "my debt." This refers to the atonement, where Christ bore the penalty for humanity's sins, as Romans 5:8 explains, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." His journey "from the cross to the grave" acknowledges His death and burial, a historical fact central to the Gospel as articulated in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. Finally, "from the grave to the sky" celebrates His resurrection and ascension, the victorious culmination of His mission. Acts 1:9-11 describes His ascension, where "He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight," preparing His return. The chorus then concludes by looping back to "Lord, I lift Your name on high," reinforcing that this incredible narrative of salvation is the very reason for our unending praise and exaltation, echoing Philippians 2:9-11, where "God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name."
Petra’s rendition of "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" serves as more than just a song; it's an invitation to engage with the profound truths of the Christian faith. It encourages individuals to articulate their personal gratitude for salvation while simultaneously proclaiming the universal story of Christ's work. The power of this song lies in its ability to condense the vastness of divine love and sacrifice into an accessible, repeatable anthem of praise. Its message is timeless, providing both comfort and challenge—comfort in the assurance of salvation and challenge to live a life that continually lifts God’s name high in response to His immeasurable grace. This is a song that not only reminds us of what God has done but inspires us to respond with unwavering adoration.