Lyrics
Chorus (x2)
Not by might, not by power
By Your spirit God
Send Your spirit God
Verse 1
You are the fire, we are the temple
You are the voice, we are Your song
You are our God, we are Your people
You are the light, we stand in awe
Refrain
We stand in awe of You
We stand in awe of You
Chorus (Repeat)
Not by might, not by power
By Your spirit God
Send Your spirit God
Verse 2
You called us out, out of the darkness
Into Your love, into Your light
Grace upon grace, beauty for ashes
You come to us, we come alive
Refrain (Repeat)
We stand in awe of You
We stand in awe of You
Chorus (x4)
Not by might, not by power
By Your spirit, God
Send Your spirit, God
Bridge (x4)
Breathe, come and breathe on us
Spirit breathe, come and breathe on us
Refrain (x4)
We stand in awe of You
Chorus (Repeat)
Not by might, not by power
By Your spirit, God
Send Your spirit, God
Bridge (x4)
Breathe, come and breathe on us
Spirit breathe, spirit breathe on us
Chorus (x2)
Not by might, not by power
By Your spirit God
Send Your spirit God
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“By Your Spirit, God” is a prayer for the Holy Spirit, built on the line “Not by might, not by power, by Your Spirit.” That wording is taken from Zechariah 4:6, and the song repeats it as a chorus with the plea to send the Spirit.
The verses describe a people and their God: God is the fire and the people are the temple, God is the voice and they are His song, and they stand in awe. The second verse recalls being called out of darkness into light, close to 1 Peter 2:9, with grace upon grace, which echoes John 1:16, and beauty for ashes, from Isaiah 61:3.
A long bridge repeats “Breathe, come and breathe on us,” which recalls the breath of God in Ezekiel 37:9 and John 20:22. The lyric is mostly repetition, so it works as a congregational prayer. The message is that strength comes from the Spirit and not from human effort.
Related Scripture
- Zechariah 4:6 Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit
- Isaiah 61:3 Beauty for ashes
- Ezekiel 37:9 Breath come upon the slain