Asbury began leading worship at his church in North Carolina at the age of 17. Even as a kid, music has always had a profound impact on him, "I'd find a CD that I really loved, that really moved my heart and just sit in my room, silent and still and just listen." He was originally planning to attend UNC Chapel Hill when the Lord redirected his path. Through a few friends who had just graduated the onething internship in Kansas City, he was encouraged to go and check it out for himself. "Thinking the internship was solely dedicated to raising up young worship leaders, I decided to come. I soon found that the Lord had tricked me into something much bigger than myself." During this internship each intern was required to sit in the prayer room for long hours each day. After 6 months he "realized that this was what I was made for. To sit before Him and love Him."
Asbury says that his songs usually begin with a gentle nudge or whisper from the Holy Spirit that arises out of tenderness in quiet time with God. "Usually, the Holy Spirit will give me a melody or a chord progression and that's where it all begins. From there, I continue to ask Him what He's saying...I ask, 'How can I express what I am feeling through music?'" His goal through his music is that hearts would fall more in love with Jesus, and that a deep longing to know and love Him more would be awakened, "That when people listen to my songs, they would find themselves in His presence. That people would know the delight of God over them and truly find enjoyment in spending time with Him." Cory, who currently leads worship six times a week with co-leader Matt Gilman, is married to Anna Asbury, a prophetic singer and dancer at the House of Prayer. He has dedicated his life to fasting, prayer and worship, for the raising up of houses of prayer all across the world.
Mercy
Cory Asbury Lyrics
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Mercy covers your throne
Like a rainbow, like a rainbow
Here I find myself in the sweetest embrace
With a love I could never earn
And it's only in this place, that I am truly saved
Surrendered to beauty untold
Your mercy, it covers me wherever I go
Your kindness, it never ends, oh Lord
There's nothing I could do to change your mind about me
There's nothing I could do
Mercy flows from your throne
Like a river, like a river
Here I find myself in the healing embrace
With a love I have never known
And it's only in this place, that I am truly saved
Surrendered to beauty untold
There's nothing I could do to change your mind
God, there's nothing I could do to change your mind about me
There's nothing I can do
To keep you from loving me
To keep you from wanting me, Jesus
Your love it never fails
Your love it never fails
Your love it never fails me
Jesus
You're a good, good Father
And you love your children
Slow to anger, abounding in love
You are so, so gracious
Oh so merciful
How he loves, how you love us so
The lyrics of "Mercy" by Cory Asbury are about how God's mercy and love are all-encompassing and powerful. The song starts with the singer acknowledging how mercy covers God's throne like a rainbow, which symbolizes hope and promises. The lyrics then go on to talk about how by surrendering oneself to God's mercy and beauty, one can be truly saved. The repetition of the phrase "there's nothing I could do to change your mind about me" expresses the singer's understanding of the unconditional and unchanging nature of God's love. The song continues to emphasize this point by saying that there is nothing that can keep God from loving us.
Line by Line Meaning
Mercy covers your throne
Your throne is covered with mercy like the colors of a rainbow.
Like a rainbow, like a rainbow
Mercy is as colorful and beautiful as a rainbow.
Here I find myself in the sweetest embrace
I am wrapped in the warm embrace of your love.
With a love I could never earn
Your love is unconditional and cannot be earned, but is a gift.
And it's only in this place, that I am truly saved
Salvation is found only in your embrace.
Surrendered to beauty untold
I am overwhelmed by the beauty of your love and mercy.
Your mercy, it covers me wherever I go
I am always surrounded by your mercy, no matter where I am.
Your kindness, it never ends, oh Lord
Your kindness is never-ending and always present, Lord.
There's nothing I could do to change your mind about me
Nothing can change your love for me, it is unconditional.
Mercy flows from your throne
Mercy flows from your throne like a river.
Here I find myself in the healing embrace
In your embrace, I am healed and made whole.
With a love I have never known
Your love is like nothing I have ever experienced before.
There's nothing I can do to keep you from loving me
Nothing can keep you from loving me, Jesus.
To keep you from wanting me, Jesus
I am always wanted by you, Jesus, nothing can change that.
Your love it never fails
Your love never fails, it endures forever.
You're a good, good Father
You are a good and loving Father to all your children.
And you love your children
Your love for your children is unconditional and unending.
Slow to anger, abounding in love
You are patient and full of love and grace.
You are so, so gracious
Your grace is abundant and overflowing.
Oh so merciful
You are full of mercy and compassion.
How he loves, how you love us so
Your love for us is beyond measure, Jesus.
Contributed by Jake F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.