Lyrics
O the glory of Your presence
We Your temple give You reverence
So arise to Your rest
And be blessed by our praise
As we glory in Your embrace
As your presence now fills this place
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Oh the Glory of Your Presence” is a compact prayer for God’s presence to fill the gathered place. The lyric identifies the worshippers as God’s temple, joining reverence with praise and expectation. Its appeal for God to arise to rest uses sanctuary language, while the image of an embrace gives the song a tender sense of nearness. Each line serves the same devotional movement: honor is offered, praise rises, and divine presence becomes the desired answer.
The temple imagery closely reflects New Testament descriptions of a worshipping community as God’s dwelling by the Spirit. The call for God to arise also recalls biblical songs associated with the ark and the resting place of God. Rather than developing a narrative, the song lingers over awe, blessing, and communion. That simplicity supports congregational worship, allowing a short set of words to carry a sustained prayer for holiness, reverence, and awareness of God among his people.
Related Scripture
- 1 Corinthians 3:16 Paul says that God’s people are his temple and that his Spirit dwells among them.
- Psalm 132:8 The psalm calls on the Lord to arise and come to his resting place.