Steve Green - Lift Up A Song Lyrics
Lyrics
Lift up a song
Strengthen yourself
In the joy of the Lord
Let your heart dance
You are His joy
And He's your reward
Lift up your hands
Together we are
The new temple that follows
His loving commands
We are the temple
The body the bride of the Lamb
He is among us
Dancing and singing
Singing with joy
Over all the redeemed
Who are coming to Zion
Behold His presence
Comes to His temple
As the redeemed
Of the Lord join the dance
Of the passover Lamb
Oh it is Jesus
The Lamb who has saved us
Who now has been raised
And is seated in power
At the hand of the Father
Behold His presence
Comes to His temple
As the redeemed
Of the Lord join the dance
Of the passover Lamb
Video
Lift Up A Song
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on January 1, 1984, from his self-titled album *Steve Green*, "Lift Up A Song" emerges as a timeless anthem of Christian celebration and communal identity. This powerful piece, driven by its profound lyrical message, invites believers into a vibrant understanding of their relationship with God, emphasizing joy, corporate worship, and the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. Steve Green, known for his clear tenor voice and unwavering commitment to biblical truth, delivers a song that is less about musical intricacy and more about the direct, Spirit-filled proclamation of faith, creating an atmosphere of heartfelt praise that transcends generations.
The essence of "Lift Up A Song" begins with a foundational call to inner strength and gladness, reminding us to "Strengthen yourself / In the joy of the Lord." This line immediately echoes the powerful truth found in Nehemiah 8:10, where the prophet declares, "the joy of the Lord is your strength." It's an encouragement to find our resilience and spiritual vigor not in our circumstances, but in the deep well of God's presence and His delight in us. The song beautifully articulates this reciprocal joy, stating, "You are His joy / And He's your reward," a sentiment deeply rooted in Scripture which portrays God as a Father who delights in His children (Psalm 149:4) and Himself as the ultimate reward for those who seek Him (Genesis 15:1). This opening sets a tone of optimistic surrender and a confident reliance on divine cheerfulness.
As the song progresses, it broadens its scope from individual encouragement to a corporate declaration of identity. "Lift up your hands / Together we are / The new temple that follows / His loving commands." This imagery of believers as "the new temple" is profoundly biblical, drawing from passages like 1 Corinthians 3:16, which states, "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" and Ephesians 2:19-22, which speaks of believers being "built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit." The lyrics beautifully articulate that this temple is not a physical building, but the collective body of believers—"the body the bride of the Lamb"—who are united in Christ and bound by His teachings. It emphasizes the sacredness of the community and its living, active participation in God's ongoing work on earth, serving as a spiritual dwelling where His presence resides.
A truly captivating and inspiring moment in the song arrives with the imagery of God's active involvement in His people's worship: "He is among us / Dancing and singing / Singing with joy / Over all the redeemed / Who are coming to Zion." This evokes the breathtaking passage from Zephaniah 3:17, which declares, "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." To envision the Creator of the universe not just present, but actively "dancing and singing" with unbridled joy over His redeemed, who are metaphorically "coming to Zion" (a biblical reference to the heavenly city and God's dwelling place, as seen in Hebrews 12:22), paints a vibrant picture of intimate, celebratory fellowship between God and humanity. It underscores the profound love and delight God has for His chosen people.
The repeated chorus, "Behold His presence / Comes to His temple / As the redeemed / Of the Lord join the dance / Of the passover Lamb," serves as a powerful anchor, consistently bringing the focus back to Christ. The "Passover Lamb" is an unmistakable reference to Jesus, whose sacrifice fulfilled the ancient Passover, saving humanity from sin and death (John 1:29, 1 Corinthians 5:7). The song invites us to "join the dance" of this Lamb, a joyous participation in the victory secured by His atoning work. This imagery of a sacred dance signifies active, celebratory worship and communion with the risen Savior. The declaration "Oh it is Jesus / The Lamb who has saved us / Who now has been raised / And is seated in power / At the hand of the Father" unequivocally states the core of Christian belief: Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension to sovereign authority. This echoes Romans 8:34 and Hebrews 1:3, confirming His ultimate triumph and intercessory role. This triumphant affirmation reinforces the reason for all the joy, singing, and dancing—it is all because of Jesus, the victorious Lamb who reigns supreme. "Lift Up A Song" is more than just a melody; it is a profound theological statement set to music, designed to uplift, unite, and remind every believer of their glorious identity and destiny in Christ.