Casting Crowns - Praise You in this Storm Lyrics
Lyrics
I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
Chorus:
I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth
Video
Casting Crowns - Praise You In This Storm (Live from YouTube Space New York)
Meaning & Inspiration
Casting Crowns’ powerful anthem, “Praise You in This Storm,” released in 2019, stands as a profound testament to unwavering faith amidst life’s inevitable hardships. The song’s genesis is rooted in the deep human struggle to maintain hope and express praise when circumstances feel overwhelming, a theme resonating with anyone who has weathered personal trials or witnessed the suffering of loved ones. Mark Hall, the band's lead singer and primary songwriter, has spoken about the song’s origins in the real-life experiences of friends and family members facing significant adversity, drawing from the raw emotions and spiritual wrestling that accompany such times. This is not a song about denying pain, but rather about finding a way to acknowledge God’s presence and sovereignty even when the path is unclear.
The core message of “Praise You in This Storm” is a radical embrace of worship as an act of defiance against despair, an intentional redirection of focus from the storm’s destructive power to the unfailing faithfulness of God. The lyrics articulate a profound theological truth: that true worship transcends fleeting emotional states and is anchored in the unchanging character of God as revealed in Scripture. This concept is powerfully echoed in James 1:2-4, which encourages believers to “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” The song doesn't suggest that we should *enjoy* the storm itself, but rather that our response of praise can foster spiritual growth and maturity. It speaks to the idea that even in our weakness, God’s strength is made perfect, as Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” This is precisely the posture the song advocates – acknowledging our human limitations while leaning into divine sufficiency.
Analyzing the song’s lyrical landscape reveals a deep engagement with biblical narratives and principles of lament and trust. The imagery of a storm is a common metaphor in the Bible for periods of intense difficulty, fear, and uncertainty. Think of the disciples in the boat with Jesus during the tempest on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35-41), or the prophet Jeremiah’s deep sorrow expressed in his book, yet always returning to an affirmation of God's faithfulness. The song encourages a posture akin to that of Job, who, despite immense suffering, declared in Job 1:21, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” This is not blind acceptance, but a deeply reasoned trust in God’s ultimate goodness and plan, even when that plan is shrouded in mystery. The song’s insistence on praising God *in* the storm, rather than waiting for the storm to pass, challenges a consumerist approach to faith that often seeks comfort and blessing as the primary goal. Instead, it presents worship as a continuous, active response of the soul to who God is, regardless of external circumstances. This aligns with the Psalmist’s declaration in Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” The waiting is not passive resignation, but an active orientation of the heart towards God, a posture of expectant praise. Ultimately, “Praise You in This Storm” serves as a powerful, biblically informed reminder that our faith is not a fair-weather phenomenon, but a deep, abiding trust that can and should flourish even when the skies are dark.