Richard Smallwood - My Everything Lyrics
Lyrics
oh lord, your my everyhing
praise wait-eth for thee my king
oh-oh, thou who hear-eth everthing
oh lord, your my ev-ry-thing
repeat as directed
you-----are my light
that shines---in the midst of darkness
you-----are my help
your're there---in times of trouble-- (modulaton)
where----would--i be
if not but for your mercy
oh lord, your're my ev-erything
(repeat as directed)
praise wait-eth for thee
my everything
(repeat as directed)
Video
Richard Smallwood & Vision - My Everything [Praise Waiteth] (Part 1)
Meaning & Inspiration
Richard Smallwood's profound declaration of faith, "My Everything," released in 1983 on the album *Richard Smallwood With Vision - The Praise & Worship Songs of Richard Smallwood*, stands as a testament to the central role of God in the life of the believer. This song, stripped down to its lyrical core, bypasses elaborate musicality to deliver a message of absolute reliance and devoted praise. The repeated, almost meditative refrain, "Oh Lord, You're my everything," isn't merely a catchy phrase; it’s an invocation of the totality of God’s presence and provision. This declaration echoes the profound truth found in Deuteronomy 6:5, which commands us to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Smallwood's lyrics articulate this all-encompassing love by framing God as the source of all good and the ultimate sustainer.
The lyrical progression from the initial declaration to the verses reveals a deepening understanding of God's character and His impact on human existence. The imagery of God as "my light that shines in the midst of darkness" powerfully evokes Psalm 27:1, where David exclaims, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" This metaphor speaks to the divine guidance and hope that illuminate the darkest seasons of life, offering clarity and direction when all seems lost. Furthermore, the acknowledgment of God as "my help" in times of trouble resonates with the promise in Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." This is not a passive deity but an active participant in our struggles, a steadfast companion through every storm. The modulated bridge, posing the poignant question, "Where would I be if not but for your mercy?", is a pivotal moment of reflection. It compels a contemplation of our utter dependence on God’s grace, a truth underscored by Ephesians 2:8-9: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." The song’s ultimate message is one of radical surrender and unwavering devotion, a recognition that in God alone lies our true value, our ultimate security, and our everlasting hope, mirroring the sentiment in Philippians 3:8 that everything else is counted as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord.