I'm coming to the cross again,
The place where all the sin and shame
Of what I do
Was squarely placed on You.
The pressure's more than I can take;
I've tried to walk in my own strength,
I lay it down
Before Your thorny crown.
I've tried so hard to be someone
That You'd be proud to call Your son,
To earn the love
I know I don't deserve.
When I think I'm standing tall,
The greater height, the bigger fall.;
Now all I see
Is my futility.
But when You touch me,
I feel the burdens slipping down again.
And when You touch me,
Can't stop the tears from falling down like rain.
I feel the shame of shallowness,
The kind of measured holiness
That seems to fit
The life I want to live.
How much of this is wood and straw?
I want to work for something more
Than piety,
Respectability.
And when the words cut like a knife
And harsh rejection haunts my life,
I tell myself
This was the pain You felt.
You walked this road a thousand times,
The victim of the cruelest crimes
And left for dead
By every friend You had.
And when the accusations came
And You refused to play their game -
No words of hate
To set the record straight.
And when they taunted at the cross
'If You are God, then save Yourself!'
You set Your face
To free this fallen race.
When You Touch Me Video
When You Touch Me Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
When You Touch Me by Stuart Townend is a powerful Christian worship song that speaks to the heart of believers everywhere. With its heartfelt lyrics and soaring melody, it is a song that inspires and uplifts, reminding us of the power and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Meaning of When You Touch Me
At its core, When You Touch Me is a song about the transformative power of God's love. It speaks to the deep longing we all have to be close to our Creator, and the way that our lives are transformed when we allow Him to touch us and fill us with His Spirit.
The song's lyrics paint a picture of the struggles and trials we all face as Christians, from the shame and guilt of our sin to the pressure to live up to a certain standard of holiness. But even in the midst of our failures and shortcomings, we can find hope and healing in the touch of our Savior.
In the chorus, Townend sings: "When You touch me, I feel the burdens slipping down again. And when You touch me, can't stop the tears from falling down like rain." These words remind us that in the presence of God, we can release our burdens and find comfort and peace in His loving embrace.
The Inspiration Behind When You Touch Me
While the specific inspiration behind When You Touch Me is not widely known, it is clear that the song was written from a place of deep personal experience with God's love and grace.
Stuart Townend is a prolific Christian songwriter and worship leader who has written many beloved hymns and worship songs, including "In Christ Alone," "How Deep the Father's Love for Us," and "The Power of the Cross." His music is known for its rich theological depth and its ability to connect with believers across denominational lines.
It is likely that When You Touch Me was inspired by Townend's own experiences of struggling with sin and shame, and finding freedom and healing in the touch of Jesus. The song's lyrics speak to the universal experiences of all Christians, regardless of their individual backgrounds or experiences.
Bible Verses Referenced in When You Touch Me
As with many of Stuart Townend's songs, When You Touch Me is deeply rooted in Scripture. The song's lyrics draw on a variety of biblical themes and passages, including:
- The power of the cross: "And left for dead by every friend You had" (referring to Jesus' crucifixion)
- The transformative power of God's love: "When You touch me, I feel the burdens slipping down again"
- The importance of surrendering our lives to God: "I've tried to walk in my own strength, I lay it down before Your thorny crown"
- The depth of our own sin and need for redemption: "The place where all the sin and shame of what I do was squarely placed on You"
These themes and references to Scripture make When You Touch Me a rich and meaningful worship song for Christians of all backgrounds and experiences.
Practical Application of When You Touch Me
So, what can we learn from the powerful message of When You Touch Me? As Christians, we can all relate to the struggles and challenges that the song's lyrics describe. We all know what it feels like to fall short of God's standards, and to feel the weight of our own sin and guilt.
But the message of When You Touch Me is one of hope and healing. It reminds us that no matter how far we may have strayed from God, His love and grace are always available to us. We can find freedom from our burdens and peace in His presence when we surrender our lives to Him and allow Him to touch us with His Spirit.
As we listen to and sing this powerful worship song, let us be reminded of the transformative power of God's love, and let us strive to live our lives in a way that honors Him and reflects His grace and mercy to the world around us.
