Selah - You Raise Me Up Lyrics
Lyrics
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary,
When troubles come and my heart burdened be.
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
Chorus
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up.. to more than I can be.
There is no life - no life without this hunger
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly
But when you come and I am filled with wonder
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
And I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up.. to more than I can be
You raise me up.. to more than I can be
Video
You Raise Me Up
Meaning & Inspiration
Released in 2004 as part of Selah's album *Hiding Place*, "You Raise Me Up" transcends mere musical composition to become a profound testament to divine strength and unwavering hope. While the song has seen numerous interpretations across various genres, Selah's rendition imbues it with a particular resonance, grounding its powerful message in a spiritual context that speaks directly to the soul. The narrative woven into its lyrics is one of profound dependency and soaring triumph, a journey from weariness and burden to an empowered state of resilience and grace. It acknowledges the universal human experience of struggle, where "troubles come and my heart burdened be," painting a picture of souls feeling diminished and inadequate. Yet, within this vulnerability, the song introduces a transformative presence, a stillness that precedes divine intervention. It is in this quiet waiting, this receptivity to something greater, that the catalyst for change occurs. The core message, powerfully articulated in its chorus, is that this external force, this "you," provides the elevation needed to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. It’s the capacity to "stand on mountains" and "walk on stormy seas," not through personal might alone, but through being lifted and supported. This echoes the profound biblical truth found in Isaiah 40:31, which promises that "those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." The lyrics further articulate this profound truth: "I am strong, when I am on your shoulders." This imagery directly parallels the comforting assurance found in Deuteronomy 33:26-27, which speaks of God riding on the heavens to help us, his ancient strength beneath us. The song delves into the inherent imperfection of human existence, acknowledging that "there is no life—no life without this hunger" and that "each restless heart beats so imperfectly." This resonates with the Apostle Paul’s confession in Romans 7:18, where he admits, "For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For while I am filled with the desire to do good, I am unable to do it." However, the song pivots from this acknowledgement of human frailty to the experience of wonder and fulfillment that comes with this divine connection, suggesting a glimpse of eternity. This transformative encounter is reminiscent of Jeremiah 29:13, which states, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Selah's rendition of "You Raise Me Up" thus serves as a potent reminder of our need for a power beyond ourselves, a power that not only sustains us through trials but elevates us to a potential we could never reach on our own, ultimately fulfilling the promise that through faith, we are made capable of "more than I can be."