Intro: DiverseCity
May be midnight or mid-day
Never early, never late
He gon' stand by what He claimed
Lived enough life to say...
Verse 1: TobyMac
I heard your heart, I see your pain
Out in the dark, out in the rain
Feels so alone, feels so afraid
I heard you pray in Jesus' name
Chorus: TobyMac & DiverseCity
It may be midnight or mid-day
He's never early, never late
He gon' stand by what He claimed
I lived enough life to say... (Say, say, say)
Post-Chorus: TobyMac
Help is on the way
Roundin' the corner
Help is on the way
Comin' for ya
Help is on the way
Yea-ee-ayy
I lived enough life to say...
Help is on the way
Verse 2: TobyMac & DiverseCity
Sometimes it's days, sometimes it's years (Oh-oh)
Some face a lifetime of fallen tears (Oh-oh)
But He's in the darkness, He's in the cold
Just like the mornin', He always shows (He always shows)
Chorus: TobyMac & DiverseCity
It may be midnight or mid-day
He's never early, never late
He gon' stand by what He claimed
I lived enough life to say... (Say, say, say)
Post-Chorus: TobyMac
Help is on the way
Roundin' the corner
Help is on the way
Comin' for ya
Help is on the way
Yea-ee-ayy
I lived enough life to say...
Help is on the way
Bridge: TobyMac, DiverseCity, TobyMac & DiverseCity
(Mm-mm, mm-mm)
Well, I seen my share o' troubles
But the Lord ain't failed me yet
So I'm holdin' onto the promise, y'all
That He's rollin' up His sleeves again
Said, I seen my share of troubles (Rollin' up, rollin' up)
But the Lord ain't failed me yet'
We'll keep holdin' onto the promise, y'all
That He's rollin' up His sleeves again
Breakdown: DiverseCity & TobyMac
Rollin' up, rollin' up (Don't ya know it?)
Rollin' up His sleeves again (I can see Him rollin')
Rollin' up, rollin' up (Help is comin')
Rollin' up His sleeves again
Chorus: TobyMac & DiverseCity, DiverseCity, TobyMac
Yeah, it may be midnight or mid-day (Yeah-eah)
He's never early, no, never late (Yeah-eah)
He gon' stand by what He claimed (Yeah-eah)
I lived enough life to say... (Say, say, say)
Chorus: TobyMac & DiverseCity, DiverseCity, TobyMac
It may be midnight or mid-day (Yeah-eah)
He's never early, never late (Yeah-eah) (No, He's never late)
He gon' stand by what He claimed (Yeah-eah) (He gon' stand by what He claimed)
I lived enough life to say... (Say, say, say)
Outro: TobyMac
Help is on the way
Help is on the way
Roundin' the corner
Help is on the way
Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight)
Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight) Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
TobyMac's song "Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight)" featuring DiverseCity delivers a powerful message of unwavering hope rooted in faith. At its heart, the song addresses the reality of human struggle, acknowledging feelings of pain, loneliness, fear, and the act of crying out in prayer. It validates the difficult seasons listeners may be experiencing, setting the stage for the central theme of divine assurance and timely intervention. The track combines personal vulnerability with a communal declaration of trust, reflecting TobyMac's signature blend of pop, hip-hop, and soulful elements.
A core concept explored throughout the song is the paradox of divine timing. The lyric emphasizes that God's help arrives precisely when needed, whether in the darkest moments often symbolized by "midnight" or in clearer times represented by "mid-day." Crucially, it underscores that this timing is "never early, never late," aligning with a belief in God's perfect plan unfolding according to His schedule, not ours. This patient waiting is presented not as passive resignation but as active trust in a higher power who is consistently at work behind the scenes, even when circumstances feel overwhelming.
The message gains significant weight from the declaration of having "lived enough life to say" that God remains faithful to His promises. This suggests a testimony forged through personal trials and experiences, validating the truth being spoken. The subsequent assertion that help is actively "rounding the corner" and "coming for you" paints a vivid picture of imminent rescue and personal attention from God. It moves the promise from a distant hope to an active, approaching reality, offering immediate comfort to those in distress.
Further deepening the narrative, the song acknowledges that trials can last for varying durations – "sometimes it's days, sometimes it's years." It speaks to the reality of enduring pain and tears over extended periods. Yet, it counters this by affirming God's constant presence in the midst of difficulty, stating that He is "in the darkness" and "in the cold." The comparison to the morning sun that "always shows" reinforces the idea of His dependable nature and eventual breakthrough, regardless of the long night faced. This consistency offers a source of stability and comfort during prolonged suffering.
The bridge carries the weight of personal testimony, speaking directly about having "seen my share o' troubles" but maintaining the conviction that "the Lord ain't failed me yet." This reinforces the "lived enough life" theme and grounds the message in authentic experience. The imagery of God "rolling up His sleeves again" is a powerful depiction of divine action and readiness to intervene on behalf of those who are holding onto His promises. It portrays God not as a distant observer but as an engaged participant actively working to bring about resolution and help. Released on February 19, 2021, alongside its video, the song resonated deeply with many listeners, particularly given the known personal challenges TobyMac navigated around this period, adding layers of meaning to the expressions of pain, faith, and hope found within the lyrics. It echoes biblical assurances found in scriptures such as Ecclesiastes 3:11 which speaks of God making everything beautiful in His time, Psalm 139:12 affirming that darkness is not dark to Him, and Isaiah 41:10 where God promises not to forsake or dismay, assuring His strength and help.
Ultimately, "Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight)" serves as an anthem of enduring faith and the certainty of God's timely intervention. It does not promise immediate relief but assures the listener that help is indeed coming, arriving perfectly timed according to a divine plan. The repetitive, hopeful refrain acts as a powerful reminder and a source of strength for anyone navigating difficult seasons, encouraging perseverance and trust in the faithfulness demonstrated through both scripture and lived experience.