Steven Curtis Chapman - Listen to Our Hearts Lyrics

Listen to Our Hearts Video

Listen to Our Hearts Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

Introduction:

"Listen to Our Hearts" is a heartfelt Christian song by Steven Curtis Chapman. It was released as a track on his 1992 album, "The Great Adventure." The song beautifully expresses the desire to communicate with God, to pour out our hearts to Him, and to have Him listen and respond. Through its powerful lyrics and captivating melody, "Listen to Our Hearts" conveys the deep longing for a connection with God and the recognition that words alone are not enough to express our love and gratitude for Him.

Verse 1:

The song starts with the question, "How do you explain, how do you describe, a love that goes from east to west, and runs as deep as it is wide?" These lines emphasize the magnitude and depth of God's love for us. It is a love that surpasses all understanding and reaches every corner of the earth. The lyrics express the limitations of human language in fully capturing the immensity of God's love.

The next lines acknowledge that God knows our hopes and fears, and no words can adequately express the love we feel for Him. The longing to be heard by God is conveyed, as the lyrics state, "But we long for You to hear." This highlights the desire for a personal and intimate relationship with God, where our hearts are genuinely heard and understood by Him.

Chorus:

The chorus of the song repeats the plea for God to listen to our hearts and hear our spirits sing. It describes our praise as a song that flows from those who have been redeemed by God's grace. The lyrics express the intention to use the words we know to tell God how awesome He is, but also acknowledge that words alone are insufficient to convey the depth of our love for Him. The chorus ultimately emphasizes the importance of a heart-to-heart connection with God, where our spirits can communicate directly with Him.

Verse 2:

The second verse of the song delves into the limitations of words in expressing our love and gratitude to God. It states, "If words could fall like rain from these lips of mine, and if I had a thousand years, I would still run out of time." This imagery emphasizes the insufficiency of words in fully expressing our feelings towards God. No matter how many words we use or how much time we have, we will never be able to adequately convey the depth of our love and gratitude for Him.

The verse concludes with the recognition that if God were to listen to our hearts, every beat would say, "Thank You for the Life, thank You for the Truth, thank You for the Way." These lines emphasize the essence of our gratitude towards God for His gift of life, His truth that guides us, and His way that leads us. It highlights the profound impact that God has on our lives and the overwhelming gratitude we feel towards Him.

Song Meaning and Inspiration:

"Listen to Our Hearts" is a song that speaks to the yearning for a deep and personal relationship with God. It expresses the desire to be heard by God, to have our praises and prayers acknowledged, and to feel a sense of connection with Him. The song recognizes the limitations of human language in fully expressing our love and gratitude towards God, and it emphasizes the importance of a heart-to-heart connection.

The inspiration for the song likely stems from the personal experiences and faith journey of Steven Curtis Chapman. As a Christian artist, Chapman has consistently shared his faith through his music, and "Listen to Our Hearts" is no exception. The song reflects the universal longing that believers have to communicate with God and have Him listen and respond.

Critical Analysis:

From a biblical perspective, "Listen to Our Hearts" aligns with several key themes found in Scripture.

Firstly, the song emphasizes the importance of a personal relationship with God. Throughout the Bible, God invites His people to come to Him, pour out their hearts, and communicate with Him. Psalm 62:8 states, "Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." The lyrics of "Listen to Our Hearts" capture this invitation to open our hearts to God and seek His presence.

Secondly, the song acknowledges the limitations of words in expressing our love and gratitude towards God. This aligns with the biblical understanding that our relationship with God is not solely based on words or rituals, but on a genuine heart connection. In Matthew 15:8, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees, saying, "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." The song encourages believers to go beyond mere words and strive for a heartfelt connection with God.

Lastly, "Listen to Our Hearts" conveys the recognition that God's love is boundless and all-encompassing. The lyrics describe God's love as going from east to west and running as deep as it is wide. This echoes the biblical understanding of God's love, as described in Psalm 103:11: "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him." The song beautifully captures the magnitude of God's love and the desire to express our gratitude for it.

In conclusion, "Listen to Our Hearts" by Steven Curtis Chapman is a powerful Christian song that expresses the longing for a deep and personal connection with God. It conveys the limitations of words in expressing our love and gratitude towards Him and emphasizes the importance of a heart-to-heart connection. The song aligns with biblical themes of seeking a personal relationship with God, recognizing the limitations of words, and acknowledging the boundless love of God. Through its heartfelt lyrics and beautiful melody, "Listen to Our Hearts" encourages believers to pour out their hearts to God and seek His presence in their lives.