Verse
When hope is lost
And you find yourself broken
When you can’t see your way
And all your prayers are unspoken
Pre chorus 1
You can run to jesus
Reach out for him
He knows what you need
Chorus
Touch the hem of his garment
Touch the hem of his garment
You’ll be made whole
Yes, you’ll be made whole
Verse 2
When you find it hard to see
And all of the faith you have is weak
When all you have is one last breath
Jesus says just reach out to me
Pre chorus 2
You can run to jesus
Reach out for him
He knows what you need
In his presence
Faith brings healing
He is all you need
If you’d only
Bridge
There’s healing
There’s freedom
New life at the feet of jesus
Touch the Hem
Touch the Hem Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Released on July 17, 2020, William McDowell and Trinity Anderson’s “Touch the Hem” arrives as more than just a song; it's an immersive invitation into a pivotal moment from the Gospel accounts, specifically the story of the woman who had suffered with a debilitating issue of blood for twelve long years. This narrative, found in Matthew 9, Mark 5, and Luke 8, recounts her desperate situation – she had spent everything she had on doctors but grew only worse. Yet, her despair fueled a profound faith. Hearing about Jesus, she resolved within herself, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." This quiet, determined act of reaching out amidst the pressing crowd is the heart the song explores, portraying the faith required to reach past obstacles, both internal and external, to connect with the source of power.
The musical arrangement and vocal delivery by McDowell and Anderson beautifully complement this powerful biblical account. The music builds with a sense of anticipation and reverence, creating an atmosphere that feels both weighty with the gravity of the woman's condition and expectant with the hope her faith embodies. McDowell's foundational presence anchors the worshipful tone, while Anderson's distinct vocal contribution brings a compelling dynamic, conveying the vulnerability and the eventual triumph inherent in the story. The song doesn't just tell the story; it seeks to place the person singing or hearing it within that moment of faith, encouraging a similar posture of confident, even audacious, belief in Jesus' accessible power. It reminds us that sometimes, the most significant breakthroughs come not from grand gestures, but from a simple, faith-filled act of reaching out.
The song’s message resonates deeply by drawing a parallel between the physical healing sought by the woman and the spiritual, emotional, or physical healing and breakthrough people seek today. It speaks to the truth that Jesus' power is not diminished by time or distance; it is as available now as it was then. The Gospels explicitly state that when the woman touched His garment, power went out from Him, and He perceived it (Mark 5:30, Luke 8:46). This was not a casual touch but a touch of faith that connected with divine energy. The song encourages us to believe that this same divine energy is accessible to us, not through physical contact with a garment today, but through spiritual contact via faith in Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Just as the woman's faith made her whole, the song testifies that our faith in Jesus can bring wholeness to our own broken places.
Furthermore, the song implicitly underscores the broader biblical principle that faith is the currency of God's kingdom. Hebrews 11:6 declares that "without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." The woman in the story exemplifies this earnest seeking and believing. She didn't just believe *in* Jesus; she believed *that His power could heal her* through even the slightest contact, a belief so strong it compelled her action. This aligns with Romans 10:17, which tells us that "faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." Her hearing about Jesus ignited her faith. The song serves as a musical 'hearing' of that message today, aiming to ignite a similar faith response in those who engage with it. It’s a powerful reminder that regardless of the duration or severity of our "issue," reaching out in faith to Jesus is always the right response, the response that connects us to His transformative power and presence.
