The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir - How Long Has It Been Lyrics
Lyrics
How long has it been
Since you talked with the Lord
And told Him your heart's hidden secrets?
How long sinc eyou prayed?
How long since you stayed
On your kneeds till the light shone through?
How long has it been
Since you knew that He cared for you?
How long has it been
Since you knelt by your bed
And prayed to the Lord up in heaven?
How long since you knew
that He'd answer you and would
Keep you th elong night through?
How long has it been
Since you woke with the dawn
And felt that the day's worth the living?
Can you call Him your friend?
How long has it been?
Since you knew that He cared for you?
Video
How Long Has It Been (feat. Robin Giles)
Meaning & Inspiration
"How Long Has It Been," featuring Robin Giles and released by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir on December 1, 2017, delves into a profound and often overlooked aspect of Christian discipleship: the depth of our personal relationship with God. More than just a song, it serves as a gentle yet powerful spiritual inventory, prompting listeners to examine the vitality of their communion with the divine. The central theme revolves around the frequency and sincerity of prayer and fellowship with the Lord, questioning the duration since a believer last truly surrendered their heart and secrets to God, or spent dedicated time seeking His presence until clarity or peace was found. This imagery of staying "on your knees till the light shone through" speaks to persistent intercession and a deep longing for divine reassurance, a practice echoed in scriptures like Psalm 130:6, where the watchman waits for the morning, mirroring the faithful anticipation of God's intervention and comfort. The lyrics further explore the assurance of God's unwavering care, asking how long it has been since we "knew that He cared for you." This resonates with the foundational truth of God's love, as expressed in John 3:16, and the personal promise found in 1 Peter 5:7: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." The song doesn't shy away from the practicalities of this relationship, inquiring about the time since one last knelt in prayer before retiring, acknowledging God's protective watch through the night, a comfort found in verses like Psalm 4:8, "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety." The ultimate question posed, "Can you call Him your friend?" elevates the desired relationship beyond mere reverence to one of intimate companionship, a divine invitation fulfilled by Jesus himself in John 15:15, where He calls His disciples friends. The song encourages a recognition that a vibrant faith is one characterized by ongoing, honest conversation and a secure knowledge of God's constant, benevolent attention to our lives.