Lyrics
Verse 1
If there were no God there would be no music
There would be no dream to be dreaming of
What a dreadful thought of an empty future
If there were no God there would be no love
Verse 2
If there were no God there would be no children
There would be no joy to relieve our tears
Not a tender hand to provide us comfort
No consoling heart to subdue our fears
Chorus
But we know that God is with us
And we know His majesty
Reigning now, the King eternal
Yes we know the victory
Verse 3
If there were no God there would be no sunshine
There would be no rain to refresh the earth
There would be no jewels to display their value
There would be no thought of enduring words
Verse 4
If there were no God there'd be no creation
There would be no light there would be no breath
No surpassing joy nothing in existence
If there were no God all would be death
Chorus (x2)
But we know that God is with us
And we know His majesty
Reigning now, the King eternal
Yes we know the victory
Outro
Yes we know, yes we know the victory
Yes we know the victory
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
This a cappella song builds its message by imagining a world without God and listing what would be missing. Each verse opens with the same phrase, "If there were no God," and names music, dreams, love, children, comfort, sunshine, rain and breath as things that depend on Him. The line "What a dreadful thought of an empty future" sets the tone, and the last verse ends with the stark statement "all would be death."
The chorus then answers the hypothetical with confidence: "But we know that God is with us," reigning as the eternal King, and the singers close by repeating that they know the victory. The contrast between the empty picture of the verses and the settled assurance of the chorus carries the song.
The thought that creation and life depend on God is close to the psalmist's statement that the heavens declare His glory, and to Paul's teaching that God's invisible qualities are seen in what He has made. The lyrics use that idea as a reason for gratitude and trust.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God.
- Romans 1:20 God's invisible qualities are seen in creation.