Terry MacAlmon - Dwelling Places Lyrics
Lyrics
Lovely are Your dwelling places
Thristy I come after You
Jesus my joy, my reward
Your love's restoring my soul
Now I'm Yours and You are mine
And from my heart a song will rise
I love You, I love You, I love You?.
And my heart will follow wholly after You
Jesus, there is none beside You
Righteous ruler of the earth
Nations will come and bow down
Name over all names
I sing You praises and
All that I can say to You is?
Video
Dwelling Places // Terry MacAlmon // World Prayer Center
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on March 21, 2015, as part of the World Prayer Center recordings, Terry MacAlmon's "Dwelling Places" emerges not just as a song, but as an invitation into a sacred space. Known for his instrumental and spontaneous worship expressions that often accompany seasons of prayer and seeking God, MacAlmon crafts a piece that feels less like a performance and more like an atmosphere. The music settles in gently, often piano-driven and ambient, creating a soundscape designed for contemplation and connection rather than mere listening. This particular release from the World Prayer Center context suggests a backdrop of focused intercession and worship, which perfectly aligns with the song's theme – a deep longing for God’s presence to inhabit and transform spaces and lives. It carries the signature of MacAlmon's ministry, which centers on facilitating encounters with the Holy Spirit through music that clears the way for prayer and worship.
The core meaning of "Dwelling Places" revolves around the profound biblical truth that God desires to dwell among His people. It's a theme echoed throughout Scripture, from the Tabernacle in the wilderness, representing God's presence among Israel (Exodus 25:8), to the Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 8:13), and ultimately culminating in the person of Jesus Christ, described as Emmanuel, meaning "God with us" (Matthew 1:23). The song seems to be a musical articulation of this yearning for that divine indwelling, a prayer that God would not merely visit but make a home among His followers. It resonates with the New Testament understanding that believers collectively form a spiritual house, a temple where the Holy Spirit resides (1 Peter 2:5, 1 Corinthians 6:19). The music's unfolding nature mirrors the idea of opening up spaces – both physical gathering places and the inner chambers of the heart – for God's presence to fill them.
Analyzing the song's construction, MacAlmon masterfully uses simple, reverent musical phrases that build slowly, creating a sense of anticipation and increasing glory. There isn't a complex verse-chorus structure; instead, it feels more like an extended meditation or a stream of worship ascending heavenward. The instrumentation, typically featuring piano and perhaps subtle strings or pads, avoids busyness, allowing the spiritual weight of the theme to carry the piece. This deliberate simplicity encourages the worshipper to focus inward and upward, reflecting on the wonder that the Creator of the universe desires to make a home *with* us. It’s reminiscent of the awe described in Isaiah 57:15, where God declares He dwells "in the high and holy place, also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit." The music itself becomes a sonic expression of humility and awe in the face of such a magnificent reality.
Furthermore, "Dwelling Places" taps into the promise of Jesus that where two or three gather in His name, He is there among them (Matthew 18:20). This song provides a soundtrack for such gatherings, whether large corporate assemblies or intimate personal prayer times, setting an atmosphere conducive to recognizing and welcoming God's presence. It’s also deeply personal, reflecting the individual yearning articulated in Psalm 84:1-2: "How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God." The song allows people to bring their own longing before God, using the music as a vessel for that expression. It reminds us that the ultimate fulfillment of God dwelling with humanity is pictured in Revelation 21:3, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God." "Dwelling Places" serves as a present-day echo of this eternal hope, drawing our hearts towards the reality of God's abiding presence, both now and in the age to come. It's a worship piece that doesn't just occupy space but invites the sacred to fill it entirely.