Ryan Stevenson - With Lifted Hands Lyrics

Ryan Stevenson - With Lifted Hands (Official Lyric Video)

With Lifted Hands Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

Ryan Stevenson's song "With Lifted Hands" explores a profound journey of realization, repentance, and ultimate surrender. The opening lines immediately establish a common human experience: seeking fulfillment in worldly things, only to find them temporary and ultimately unsatisfying. This pursuit leaves a void, a yearning that cannot be filled by fleeting pleasures, highlighting the transient nature of "all that this world has to offer." The lyricist expresses a candid acknowledgement of this truth, admitting to a past reliance on things that were "here and gone" and failed to truly satisfy.

This realization leads to a turning point, marked by a plea for forgiveness and a newfound clarity. The phrase "Father forgive me for taking so long to see that you're all I need" encapsulates a moment of spiritual awakening. It signifies a shift in perspective, where the source of true contentment and necessity is identified not in worldly pursuits but in a divine relationship. This simple yet powerful declaration forms the foundation for the subsequent commitment expressed in the song.

The core message of surrender is powerfully articulated in the chorus. With "every heartbeat in my chest," the singer declares a complete surrender of "all that I have," encompassing both the unknown future ("the days yet to come") and the lessons or burdens of the past ("the days in the past"). The repeated phrase "I'm giving you all I am" signifies a total offering of self. The act of "lifting hands," referenced throughout the song, is a common biblical posture of surrender, worship, and receiving, symbolizing vulnerability, trust, and devotion. It represents a physical manifestation of the spiritual decision to yield control and trust entirely.

The lyrics further explore the nature of the divine love and mercy that inspires this surrender. Despite any perceived unworthiness, the divine perspective is one of grace and seeing the best in the individual "beneath the dust." This unconditional mercy, undeserved yet freely given, is presented as the very essence of this love. This transformative love is depicted as an overwhelming force, rushing through the veins, leading to a state of being "wrecked and changed," a powerful metaphor for profound personal transformation that compels the soul to sing in response.

The bridge reinforces the inescapable nature of this divine presence and love. The assertion that there is "no place I can go to escape Your love," whether "Heaven or grave," speaks to the omnipresence and enduring faithfulness of this relationship. This provides a sense of security and permanence, assuring the listener that this love is constant regardless of circumstances or location. This unwavering love serves as the anchor for the continued commitment to surrender.

Ultimately, "With Lifted Hands," originally released with an official lyric video on April 5, 2018, serves as a powerful anthem of faith, repentance, and complete devotion. It chronicles a personal journey from disillusionment with worldly things to the profound understanding that God is the ultimate source of satisfaction and security. The repeated commitment to surrender "all that I am" with lifted hands encapsulates the central theme of yielding one's life entirely to divine guidance and love, finding freedom and purpose in complete trust.