Rich Mullins - Pictures In The Sky Lyrics
Lyrics
Lord Jesus You are the One
Who made the heavens
And You'll take me there someday
But till that time they'll hang around
To say that You love me
And down here on earth
It's hard to keep in mind
When the days are hazy
The sun still shines
But if my head's in the clouds
It suits me just fine
'Cause they're what's above me
And there the world unfolds
Right before me
With whispers of hope
And shouts of glory
I like to see the pictures
Way up in the sky
It looks like moving pictures
When the clouds go by
I like to see the pictures
Way up in the sky
It looks like moving pictures
When the clouds go by (by by by)
Lord Jesus You are the One
Who sends the clouds
That roll along
On the crest of the wind
I look up I see in them Your power
See the vapor trail
Reddened in the setting sun
It's like a heavenly blessing
On a trail of crumbs
See the light beam burning bright
Shining like a rung
On Jacob's ladder
And there the world unfolds
Right before me
With whispers of hope
And shouts of glory
I like to see the pictures
Way up in the sky
It looks like moving pictures
When the clouds go by
I like to see the pictures
Way up in the sky
It looks like moving pictures
When the clouds go by (by by by)
When the clouds go by
And there the world unfolds
Right before me
With whispers of hope
And shouts of glory
I like to see the pictures
Way up in the sky
It looks like moving pictures
When the clouds go by
I like to see the pictures
Way up in the sky
It looks like moving pictures
When the clouds go
I like to see the pictures
Way up in the sky
It looks like moving pictures
When the clouds go by
I like to see the pictures
Way up in the sky
It looks like moving pictures
When the clouds go... by (by by by)
(By by by)
I see another world
(By by by)
I see another world
(By by by)
I see another world
Video
Pictures In The Sky
Meaning & Inspiration
Rich Mullins' "Pictures In The Sky," released in 1987 as the title track of his album by the same name, offers a profound spiritual meditation disguised as a simple observation of the heavens. The song delves into the human struggle to maintain faith and remember God's love amidst the trials and haze of earthly life. Mullins poignantly captures that feeling of distraction, acknowledging that it's "hard to keep in mind" the divine when daily realities cloud our vision. Yet, rather than succumbing to this difficulty, he finds solace and a renewed connection to the divine in the very clouds that obscure his immediate view. He embraces the idea of having his "head's in the clouds" because, for him, these celestial formations become tangible reminders of what lies beyond.
The core of the song’s message lies in Mullins' interpretation of the sky as a divine canvas, a place where God's presence and promises are continually revealed. He sees the clouds not as mere atmospheric phenomena but as dynamic art, "moving pictures" that unfold the world "right before me." Within these fleeting forms, he perceives "whispers of hope and shouts of glory," mirroring the ancient prophetic visions found throughout Scripture. His gaze is drawn to the power of God as revealed in the rolling clouds, and the reddened vapor trails of a setting sun are not just aesthetic beauty but a "heavenly blessing." This imagery evokes the divine provision and guidance described in the Old Testament, such as the manna and quail provided to the Israelites in the wilderness, or the pillar of cloud and fire that led them through the desert (Exodus 13:21-22). The light beam burning bright, likened to a rung on Jacob's ladder, is a direct allusion to Genesis 28:12, where Jacob dreams of a ladder connecting earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending, signifying God's unwavering connection and communication with humanity.
Mullins' theological understanding is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative of creation and redemption. He directly addresses Jesus as the Creator, the One "who made the heavens" and who will eventually bring him there. This acknowledgment aligns with foundational Christian creeds that profess Jesus Christ as both divine and the architect of all that exists, as stated in John 1:3: "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." The song, therefore, serves as a powerful reminder that even in moments of spiritual dryness or earthly confusion, God’s love and power are consistently on display. The clouds become conduits of divine reassurance, reflecting God's constant presence and ultimate plan for His creation. The repetitive refrain, "I see another world," becomes a mantra, reinforcing the hope of an eternal reality that transcends the temporary struggles of this life, echoing the sentiment of 2 Corinthians 4:18, which urges believers to focus on the eternal rather than the temporal.