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.
Psalm 18
Cory Asbury Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You’re my Rock and my Fortress, My Deliverer
When I call on Your name You answer me
So shall I be saved from my enemies
You called me out from the darkness and shined Your light
You raised me up from death and gave me life
Now I love You, Yeah I love You forever
I will worship You, Lord with all of my heart
You are worthy of all that I am
When I call on Your name You answer me
So shall I be saved from my enemies
You called me out from the darkness and shined Your light
You raised me up from death and gave me life
Now I love You, Yeah I love You forever
In the end all I have is You
You are my great reward
Through it all I will not lose heart
'Cause You’re the glory and the lifter of my head
You deliver me for You delight in me
I am Your beloved One
Now I give my life, I surrender
Come and take me, I am Yours
You called me out from the darkness and shined Your light
You raised me up from death and gave me life
Now I love You, Yeah I love You forever
The lyrics of Psalm 18 by Cory Asbury speak of the love and devotion towards God. It is a declaration of complete surrender and trust in God as the source of strength, hope, and salvation. The verses highlight that God is the Rock, Fortress, and Deliverer of the singer, and that God answers the singer’s call for salvation from enemies. The chorus reiterates the singer’s love and worship for God, emphasizing that God is worthy of everything the singer is.
The bridge draws a picture of a deep relationship between God and the singer, where God has been the guiding light and the source of life who has lifted the singer up from darkness and death. It is a realization that in the end, all that the singer has is God, who is the great reward. The final verse conveys that God delights in the singer and that the singer is God’s beloved one. It is a recognition of the bond that connects the singer to God, leading the singer to surrender and invite God to take over.
Line by Line Meaning
I will love you, Oh Lord the strength of my life
I will love and adore You, O Lord, my source of strength and vitality
You’re my Rock and my Fortress, My Deliverer
You are my steadfast foundation and place of safety, my rescuer and defender
When I call on Your name You answer me
Whenever I cry out to You, You respond and come to my aid
So shall I be saved from my enemies
As a result, I will be rescued and protected from my adversaries
You called me out from the darkness and shined Your light
You summoned me out of spiritual darkness and illuminated my path with Your radiance
You raised me up from death and gave me life
You revived me from spiritual death and bestowed upon me the gift of eternal life
Now I love You, Yeah I love You forever
As a result, I now have an unending love for You
I will worship You, Lord with all of my heart
I will pay homage and give reverence to You, Lord, with my entire being
You are worthy of all that I am
You possess all the value and significance that I have to offer
In the end all I have is You
Ultimately, You are all I need and have for everything
You are my great reward
You are the ultimate prize and compensation for me
Through it all I will not lose heart
Despite all difficulties and trials, I will not become discouraged or disheartened
'Cause You’re the glory and the lifter of my head
Because You are the source of my honor and the One who lifts up my head in encouragement
You deliver me for You delight in me
You rescue me because You take pleasure in me
I am Your beloved One
I am Your cherished and dearly loved child
Now I give my life, I surrender
As a result, I choose to give my entire life and forfeit my own desires and dreams to You
Come and take me, I am Yours
So come and accept me, Lord, as completely and fully Yours
Contributed by Jason T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.