William McDowell - I Surrender All - We Say Yes Lyrics
Lyrics
I surrender all, I surrender all
All to You I give.
(6x)
Spoken
Some of us are bowed down,
Some of us with our hands lifted;
We present ourselves to You
Our lives, completely and totally.
We surrender to You,
And our answer, the word of agreement
Between heaven and earth is "yes."
Whatever You want to do, Lord...
We say yes to You.
Sung, worship leader ad lib; repeat each line as needed
We say yes, we surrender
I say yes, I surrender
Video
William McDowell (I Surrender All) featuring Pastor Jason Nelson
Meaning & Inspiration
William McDowell's "I Surrender All - We Say Yes," released on December 16, 2013, serves as a powerful declaration within contemporary worship, moving beyond a mere song to become a communal spiritual covenant. It stands as a profound moment of commitment, inviting individuals and congregations into a posture of absolute submission to divine will. McDowell, known for leading movements of deep encounter and prophetic worship, crafts a piece that is less about musical structure and more about creating space for an unreserved response to God, echoing the timeless call to yield every part of one's being.
The profound meaning behind "I Surrender All - We Say Yes" is rooted in the very essence of biblical discipleship. It calls to mind the venerable hymn "I Surrender All," yet extends its theological depth by framing surrender not as a singular event, but as a continuous, active affirmation. The core message explores the journey from a personal decision to relinquish control – "I surrender all, all to You I give" – to a collective, unwavering agreement with God’s purposes, articulated as "We say yes." This transition is vital, signifying that true surrender is not passive resignation but an active, faith-filled declaration of alignment with heaven’s agenda, whatever it may entail. It encapsulates the believer's highest aspiration: to live a life fully devoted and responsive to the Lord’s leading, trusting Him implicitly with every facet of existence.
The song’s review and analysis reveal its intentional design to facilitate a radical act of faith. The repeated declaration, "I surrender all, all to You I give," is a deeply personal and complete offering. This resonates with the Apostle Paul’s exhortation in Romans 12:1, which urges believers to "present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." It’s an invitation to lay down not only material possessions but aspirations, plans, desires, and even personal understanding at the feet of Christ. This act of surrendering *all* is a fundamental principle of following Jesus, as He Himself taught in Luke 9:23, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." It reflects a commitment to count everything as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, as Philippians 3:7-8 articulates, choosing His kingdom and His righteousness above all else.
The pivotal spoken interlude, acknowledging "some of us are bowed down, some of us with our hands lifted," beautifully captures the diverse expressions of worship while unifying the underlying intent: "We present ourselves to You, our lives, completely and totally. We surrender to You." This recognition of varying postures underscores that genuine surrender transcends outward forms; it is an internal posture of the heart. McDowell then powerfully declares that "our answer, the word of agreement between heaven and earth is 'yes.'" This move from "I surrender" to a collective "We say yes" is transformative. It shifts the declaration from an individual's private commitment to a corporate affirmation, suggesting a unified body of believers agreeing to God's will. This "yes" is an echo of 2 Corinthians 1:20, "For all the promises of God find their Yes in him." It signifies that just as God’s promises are a resounding "yes" to us through Christ, our response to Him is an unwavering "yes" to His sovereignty and purpose. It is a proactive embrace of God’s will, a trust in His perfect plan, as the psalmist declares in Psalm 40:8, "I delight to do your will, O my God."
The subsequent sung declaration, "We say yes, we surrender / I say yes, I surrender," solidifies this covenant. The movement between "we" and "I" reminds us that while surrender is a personal journey, it is often lived out and strengthened within a community of faith. This affirmation of "yes" is more than just agreement; it's a commitment to obedience and active participation in God's kingdom work. It calls believers to move beyond intellectual ascent to full-hearted submission, much like Mary's response to the angel Gabriel in Luke 1:38, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." This declaration cultivates an atmosphere of readiness for God to move, to intervene, and to transform. It positions the worshiper not as an observer, but as a willing participant in whatever God desires to accomplish, reflecting the prayer "Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" from Matthew 6:10. The repetition serves to deeply embed this truth into the spirit, solidifying a covenantal relationship where the believer’s will is continually aligned with God’s divine will. Ultimately, "I Surrender All - We Say Yes" is a profound and biblically rich anthem of total devotion, calling believers to an enduring posture of surrender and active affirmation of God's perfect plan for their lives and for the world.