I was reading an article about the Syrian refugee crisis and in it was a story of a man who was doing some rescue work in one of the many desolate areas. The man recounted a moment where he was evacuating some children from their already destroyed village, and as they were walking out and looking at the devastation of their home and everything they knew, they were somehow singing songs to God. What kind of unreal faith can do that? The author of the article was moved by the strength of these children and closed his story with a short prayer that moved me, “May I sing Your praises amongst the ruins.”
So, this song was birthed from that place, trying to put myself in these children’s position - seeing destruction and ruin all around them, yet still somehow finding strength to sing to God because they hadn’t lost their hope. Even when everything around them said otherwise, and they quite literally walked through “valleys of shadows and death” (Psalm 23:4), they still chose to believe that the Good Shepherd would prepare a place of peace for them in the presence of their enemies.
May the same be true for us when all we can see is the destruction and ruins in our lives.
---
PS this word, δόξα [doxa], is the Greek word meaning glory.
Go figure, it comes from the same verse I mentioned in the last post - Revelation 4:11, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive GLORY and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
lyrics
Verse 1:
Even when the world
Around me - it is crumbling
Even when my faith
In You is missing something
Pre-Chorus 1:
Still I’ll sing Your praise
Still I’ll sing Your praise
Still I’ll sing Your praise
For You are good to me
Chorus 1:
May I sing Your praises
Amongst the ruins
Amongst the fears
And in my weakness
May I sing Your praises
‘cause God You’re moving
Through every tear
You see me, Jesus
Verse 2:
When all I see is darkness
You’re my guiding light
Jesus, You are with me
I know You’re by my side
Pre-Chorus 2:
So I’ll sing Your praise
So I’ll sing Your praise
So I’ll sing Your praise
For You are good to me
Bridge:
Even when it doesn’t make sense
I’ll praise You
Even when I don’t have the words
I’ll praise You
When my tears are all I can see
I’ll praise You
I will rest in Your arms
And forever praise You
Even when I walk through the dark
I’ll praise You
I will turn from my fear
And instead I’ll praise You
You surround me with mercy and love
So I’ll praise You
I will dwell in Your house
And forever praise You
Chorus 2:
Yes I’ll sing Your praises
Amongst the ruins
Amongst the fears
And in my weakness
Yes, I’ll sing Your praises
That’s what I’m choosing
With broken prayers
You hear me Jesus
