Steven Curtis Chapman - What I Really Want To Say Lyrics
Lyrics
I say I love you, I say I need you
I try so many ways to say how my heart beats for you
I say I'm always thinking about you
There's no way I'd want to face this life without you
And even though these words comes from deep inside me
There's so much more I don't have the words to say
'Cuz what I really want to say
Is what the sun would say to the sky
For giving it a place to come alive
But my words get in the way
Of what I really want to say
Oh what I really want to say
I know that sometimes my words can be as hard as stone
And sometimes my words have left you feeling so alone
So please forgive me and hear the words I'm saying now
I spend my whole life looking for a way somehow
To let you know just how precious you are to me
I'll use the best words I know but I still won't say it all
Chorus
It's like a tale too great to be told
It's something that my heart can only show
I'm gonna take my whole life
Just to let you know
What I really want to say
Oh, what I really want to say
What I really want to say
Oh, what I really want to say
Video
What I Really Want To Say
Meaning & Inspiration
Steven Curtis Chapman’s "What I Really Want To Say," released on June 3, 1999, as part of his acclaimed album *Speechless*, is a profound exploration of the human struggle to articulate immeasurable love and devotion. The song’s essence lies in its candid admission that even the most sincere expressions often fall short when attempting to convey the deepest stirrings of the heart, particularly in a spiritual context. It captures that universal yearning to communicate something so vast and fundamental that mere language becomes an inadequate vessel.
The song delves into the paradox of our desire to verbalize profound affection while simultaneously recognizing the limitations of our vocabulary. Chapman begins by listing familiar declarations like "I love you, I need you," and "I'm always thinking about you," acknowledging their truthfulness ("these words come from deep inside me"). Yet, he quickly pivots to the understanding that there remains "so much more I don't have the words to say." This tension is a central theme of worship and relationship with the Divine, reflecting the truth found in Psalm 145:3, which proclaims God's greatness to be "unsearchable" – how then can our finite words fully encapsulate our love for such an infinite being? The desire for the heart to be fully known, even when words fail, echoes the psalmist's longing in Psalm 42:1, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God."
The chorus offers a striking metaphor, comparing the inexpressible feeling to "what the sun would say to the sky / For giving it a place to come alive." This image brilliantly portrays a relationship of absolute dependence, fundamental gratitude, and existential purpose. The sun's very existence and radiance are contextualized and enabled by the sky. Spiritually, this mirrors our complete reliance on God; He is the firmament of our existence, the source from whom we "live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). Our spiritual "life to come alive" is entirely sustained by His grace, making any verbal tribute to Him inherently insufficient to capture the depth of such a life-giving bond.
Beyond the challenge of articulation, the song humbly touches on human imperfection and the painful impact of our spoken words. The line, "I know that sometimes my words can be as hard as stone / And sometimes my words have left you feeling so alone," introduces a poignant moment of self-awareness and repentance. This confession is deeply resonant with Christian experience, acknowledging that even in our earnest attempts to connect, our human failings can cause hurt. It invites a plea for forgiveness and a renewed commitment to expressing truth, aligning with 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." This vulnerability strengthens the authenticity of the song's spiritual plea, suggesting an intimate relationship where such honesty is both necessary and received with grace.
Ultimately, "What I Really Want To Say" transitions from a quest for perfect words to a commitment to a lifelong demonstration of love. The realization that "It's something that my heart can only show / I'm gonna take my whole life / Just to let you know" underscores a profound scriptural truth: true love is evidenced by action and enduring commitment, not just vocal profession. Jesus Himself stated, "If you love me, keep my commands" (John 14:15), and 1 John 3:18 encourages us, "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." The song’s conclusion is not one of defeat, but of enduring purpose – a lifelong journey to live out a love that is "a tale too great to be told" through words alone. It calls us to offer our entire lives as a continuous, unfolding testament, echoing Romans 12:1 to "offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." Chapman’s work here is an inspiring reminder that while our words are precious, it is our consistent, lived-out devotion that truly speaks volumes to the One who knows our hearts even before we utter a sound.