Stuart Townend - Beloved and Blessed Lyrics
Lyrics
Beloved and blessed,
The Father's pure delight.
Redeemer, Sustainer,
You're my passion and my prize.
My Brother, my Comforter,
My Shepherd and my Friend.
My Ransom, my Righteousness,
You're the Stream that never ends.
You're unchanging, You're magnificent,
You are all I could desire.
You're my Breath of life,
Sun of righteousness,
You're the Love that satisfies.
There's kindness, compassion
For those who will draw near;
Acceptance, forgiveness,
And a love that conquers fear.
You're the Word of life,
You're the Bread of heaven,
You're; the Lion and the Lamb.
All within me cries,
'Lord be glorified
By everything I am.'
Beloved, my Beloved.
Video
Belovèd And Blessèd
Meaning & Inspiration
"Beloved and Blessed," released on November 12, 2007, as part of Stuart Townend’s live album "The Best of Stuart Townend," stands as a profound declaration of faith and intimate worship. This song transcends a simple praise chorus, unfolding instead as a rich tapestry of theological affirmations and personal adoration. At its core, it’s a detailed catalog of God’s attributes and roles in the life of a believer, expressing a deeply felt connection that moves beyond intellectual assent to a vibrant, lived reality. The song's essence is an outpouring of love and gratitude, positioning the divine as the ultimate source of all good and the focal point of all desire, making it a compelling piece for individual reflection and congregational praise.
The song immediately establishes an intimate tone, opening with "Beloved and blessed, The Father's pure delight." These lines echo the divine affirmation of Jesus at His baptism and transfiguration, where God declares, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17, 17:5). It positions Christ not merely as a figure of history but as the very embodiment of God's pleasure and a recipient of boundless blessing. Following this, the titles "Redeemer, Sustainer," articulate His active role in salvation, delivering us from sin's bondage (Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:7) and continually upholding all creation (Colossians 1:17, Hebrews 1:3). The deeply personal confession, "You're my passion and my prize," encapsulates the apostle Paul's sentiment in Philippians 3:8, where he declares all else loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. This sets a tone of unwavering devotion, where Christ is the supreme pursuit.
The subsequent lines continue to expand upon the multi-faceted relationship with Christ, portraying Him as "My Brother, my Comforter, My Shepherd and my Friend." The idea of Christ as "Brother" resonates with Hebrews 2:11, which states He is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters, highlighting His solidarity with humanity. As "Comforter," He fulfills the promise of peace and presence, often associated with the Holy Spirit but also deeply rooted in Christ’s own comforting words (John 14:16). The imagery of "My Shepherd" immediately evokes Psalm 23 and Jesus' own declaration as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11), emphasizing His guidance and protection. Calling Him "My Friend" aligns with Jesus’ words in John 15:15, transforming the divine-human dynamic into one of cherished companionship. Further titles, "My Ransom, my Righteousness," speak to the profound theological truths of atonement and justification, where Christ paid the price for our freedom (1 Timothy 2:6) and imputed His perfect righteousness to us (1 Corinthians 1:30). The powerful image, "You're the Stream that never ends," connects to Jesus' promise of living water, a spring welling up to eternal life, eternally satisfying (John 4:14).
The song then shifts focus to Christ’s enduring character and our experience of Him, stating, "You're unchanging, You're magnificent, You are all I could desire." His unchanging nature (Hebrews 13:8, Malachi 3:6) offers a steadfast anchor in a shifting world, while His magnificence (Psalm 145:3) inspires awe. The declaration of Him as "all I could desire" mirrors Psalm 73:25: "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you," affirming God as the ultimate fulfillment. Describing Him as "my Breath of life" echoes God's original act of creation (Genesis 2:7) and His continuous sustenance of all living things (Acts 17:25). The biblical title "Sun of righteousness" (Malachi 4:2) speaks of His healing and illuminating power, while "the Love that satisfies" points to the profound contentment found only in His divine affection (Psalm 107:9).
The lyrical journey then broadens to encompass the relational aspects of God’s character, observing, "There's kindness, compassion For those who will draw near; Acceptance, forgiveness, And a love that conquers fear." These lines beautifully summarize the gospel invitation: God’s character is defined by mercy and grace (Psalm 103:8). He invites us to "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16), offering full acceptance (Romans 15:7) and complete forgiveness through Christ’s blood (Ephesians 1:7). Crucially, this divine love actively dispels fear, as "perfect love drives out fear" (1 John 4:18), creating a safe and secure relationship with the Creator.
The climax of the song brings together several iconic biblical titles, culminating in a resounding declaration of worship. Christ is "the Word of life" (John 1:1, 1 John 1:1), the divine revelation and source of existence. He is "the Bread of heaven" (John 6:35, 48), the spiritual sustenance essential for eternal life. The powerful paradox "the Lion and the Lamb" (Revelation 5:5-6) succinctly captures His dual nature: the conquering King of Judah and the sacrificial Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. This profound imagery elicits an ultimate response from the believer: "All within me cries, 'Lord be glorified By everything I am.'" This is a full surrender, a commitment to live a life that reflects God's glory in every aspect, echoing Romans 12:1 and Colossians 3:17. The song then circles back, ending with the intimate repetition, "Beloved, my Beloved," sealing the personal and enduring nature of this sacred relationship. "Beloved and Blessed" is far more than a song; it's a profound theological meditation set to music, designed to draw hearts into deeper intimacy with Christ, inspiring a life lived in constant adoration and grateful service.