The Imperials - Standing In the Presence of the King Lyrics
Lyrics
Today I found myself in a most unusual place
All at once I was standing face to face
With someone I knew so well yet that I had never seen
I was standing in the presence of the King
Standing in the presence of the King
The world just slips away beneath my feet
Mortal man could never write the song that my heart sings
While I'm standing in the presence of the King
Through His gates with thanksgiving
Into His courts with praise
With a joyous heart I begin to sing
For at last I am standing where He said that I could be
I am standing in the presence of The King
Standing in the presence of the King
The world just slips away beneath my feet
Mortal man could never write the song that my heart sings
While I'm standing in the presence of the King
Standing in the presence of the King
The world just slips away beneath my feet
Mortal man could never write the song that my heart sings
While I'm standing in the presence of the King
I'm standing in the presence of the King
The world just slips away beneath my feet
Mortal man could never write the song that my heart sings
While I'm standing in the presence of the King
While I'm standing in the presence of the King
Standing in the presence
Standing in the presence of the King
Standing in the presence
Standing in the presence of the King
Video
Standing in the Presence of the King
Meaning & Inspiration
The Imperials' "Standing in the Presence of the King," released on March 28, 2018, is a powerful declaration of faith that bypasses superficiality to delve into the profound reality of encountering God. The song artfully captures that transformative moment when the believer, through faith, steps from the mundane into the sacred. It paints a vivid picture of an individual finding themselves in an "unusual place," face to face with someone both intimately known and yet, in that divine encounter, seen in a completely new and awe-inspiring light. This aligns directly with biblical narratives of individuals encountering God's glory, such as Isaiah's vision in Isaiah 6:1, where he cries out, "Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" The lyrics further elaborate on this experience by describing how "the world just slips away," a sentiment echoed in Philippians 3:8, where Paul speaks of counting all things loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord. The song emphasizes that the joy and awe of this divine presence are so profound that they transcend human expression, a truth resonated in the Psalms, like Psalm 40:3, which promises, "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God." The transition through the gates with thanksgiving and into the courts with praise speaks to the intentionality and reverence required in approaching the Almighty, mirroring the instructions for worship in Psalm 100:4: "Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name!" Ultimately, "Standing in the Presence of the King" serves as a stirring reminder of the believer's rightful place in God's kingdom, a place of belonging and intimate communion, a fulfillment of the promise found in John 14:3, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." The repeated refrain powerfully reinforces the transformative and all-consuming nature of this divine encounter, where the cares of this life fade into insignificance when compared to the glorious reality of being in the presence of the King of Kings.