Steve Green - Mourning Into Dancing Lyrics
Lyrics
Chorus:
You have turned my mourning into dancing, Lord
Now my feet are filled with your praise
You have clothed my spirit with a robe of joy
You've cast my sorrow away
For Your anger last but a moment, Lord
And my tears endure for the night
But Your favor lasts for a lifetime, Lord
My joy returns with the morning light
For . . .
Chorus
All my foes lose heart when they hear my voice
For I speak in Jesus' Name
They turn back in fear at the sound of praise
I'll not keep silent, I must proclaim
That . . .
Chorus
Repeat Chorus
Video
Mourning Into Dancing
Meaning & Inspiration
Released in 1989 as part of the album *The Mission*, Steve Green's "Mourning Into Dancing" is a powerful testament to divine transformation and enduring hope. The song draws its profound meaning from the biblical narrative of God's ability to reclaim sorrow and replace it with unshakeable joy, a theme deeply woven throughout Scripture. The core message mirrors the prophetic promise found in Isaiah 61:3, where the Spirit of the Lord is given to "bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." This is not merely a hopeful platitude; it's a declaration of God's active intervention in the lives of His people, turning the deepest despair into vibrant celebration. The lyrics powerfully articulate this divine exchange, picturing a profound internal shift where mourning is not just mitigated but entirely replaced by dancing, and a spirit clothed in joy instead of weighed down by sorrow.
The second stanza of the song echoes the Psalmist's experience, particularly Psalm 30:5, which states, "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes with the morning." This biblical perspective offers immense comfort, acknowledging the reality of temporary hardship and transient tears, while emphatically asserting the everlasting nature of God's favor and the certainty of returning joy. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest hours, the dawn of God's goodness is inevitable. Furthermore, the song's assertion of victory over adversaries, as expressed in the declaration of speaking in Jesus' Name and causing foes to turn back, resonates with the power of testimony and spiritual warfare described in verses like 1 John 4:4: "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." The fearless proclamation of faith and the sound of praise become instruments of spiritual triumph, silencing opposition and boldly announcing God's sovereignty. "Mourning Into Dancing" is therefore more than just a song; it’s an anthem of spiritual renewal, an invitation to trust in God's redemptive power to transform every season of life from sorrow to unbridled praise.