When Em and I are working through the writing process of recording and documenting parts of songs, it’s usually for two purposes: first, so that we don’t forget what we’ve written, and second, so that we have honest content to share here on our Oil and Ashes Substack.
This video in particular was never intended for the shiny, polished, put-together façade that most of us hide behind on our social media apps. In fact, the whole point of the songs we write is to share prayers for people who find themselves exactly where I was the morning God gave me this song: tired, weary, messy, and just needing truth to sing reminding my heart that God sees me and is worthy of my song despite my appearance and circumstances.
This song is unique both in its form and in how it was written. It’s a single-pass song, meaning there is no repetition of verses, bridge, or chorus. You sing it straight through from beginning to end. That’s honestly so kind and clever of the Lord, because that’s exactly how this song came to be.
I sat down one morning, opened my Bible to Isaiah 25, and was so stirred by what I read that I started singing into a voice memo. The song and melody came all at once—start to finish. Listen below:
When I recorded this video, I had spent the prior 30 minutes or so wrestling with the text from Isaiah 25 to fit it into the melody the Lord had given me days before. What you see in the video is the first time I ever sang it all the way through.
This song is very special to me and holds a dear place in my heart as an Ebenezer of my communion with the Lord that morning. I hope it finds its way into your mouth and heart as a prayer for you as well.
Verse 1
Like heat by the shadow of a cloud
All the lies are silenced
Like rain as the ending of a drought
You’re perfect in Your timing
Pre-Chorus
So I will sing of the beauty of
What You saved me from
And I will trust in the One who is my
Refuge from the storm
Chorus 1
So I lift my hands to praise You
So I lift my voice to thank You
I will always sing of Your name
Oh, the wonders You have done
Chorus 2
Lord, I lift my hands
Even when I feel like I can’t
Lord, I lift my hands
You are my defense through it all
Lord, I lift my hands
