Pop vocalist and songwriter David Phelps has been given such a talent. Credited by many as having one of today's most spectacular voices, David has seen countless thousands rise to their feet for his inspiring, powerhouse performances. His audiences have included George W. Bush, massive crowds at Billy Graham Crusades, and millions of "ABC News" viewers, and his voice has brought him multiple Grammy and Dove awards. And with the release of his new solo debut for Word Records, Revelation, Phelps is poised to reach an even greater audience of fans around the globe. Yet amid all the acclaim, David has a special person in his life who reminds him to always honor the One who gave that talent to him.
His wife of eleven years, Lori, helps David balance his dual roles as acclaimed vocalist and down-to-earth husband and father of three (soon to be four). "Most of us don't get the chance to have even one standing ovation or round of applause in our lives, so working on a stage of any kind can give you a really unrealistic view of life if you're not careful," David reveals. "In her own loving way, Lori won't let me live in that place of applause, and I'm very thankful for that."
Though not a musician herself, Lori has walked with David all along the long, challenging road as he has pursued his calling to music. Hailing originally from the Houston area, the couple met at Texas' Baylor University over a decade ago, where Phelps earned a degree in line with his passion—music.
Recognized from an early age for his unusual talent, David knew from the beginning that he wanted to perform music for the glory of God. Not everyone understood his commitment to faith, however. "I had several teachers who felt that I should be singing opera, or performing somewhere on Broadway," he recalls. "In college particularly, I had a teacher who kept pushing me strongly toward classical music, but when she finally accepted that Christian music was what God was calling me to do, that became the turning point for me."
From there, as a teenager, David went on become the winner of the 1988 Seminar In the Rockies held in Estes Park, Colorado, the youngest winner of the contest at that time. He then continued his career after graduation with a stint as Artist In Residence for First Baptist Church in Hurst, Texas. Though for a time it appeared that family commitments might prevent David from realizing his dream, he and Lori packed their bags for Nashville, Tennessee, in 1996 with the hope of landing a record deal for David.
Once again, however, he faced a challenge. After six heartbreaking months, David had not found an opportunity, and since he had given up his job back in Texas, the young couple was running out of funds. While visiting his family one weekend back in Texas, David told them, "We really feel like God was calling us to Nashville, but it's just not happening." Instantly, his family gathered around David and Lori and began to pray for a miracle.
A miracle is what God had in mind. The very next day, back in Nashville, David met with executives from Word Records and found out about an opportunity with best-selling vocal foursome Gaither Vocal Band. Two weeks later, he officially joined the group that has brought him four Dove Awards, two Grammy Awards, and over 13 gold and 15 platinum-selling projects.
Throughout the phenomenal success he has experienced with Gaither Vocal Band, David has cherished the dream of releasing a solo album expressing his own style and songcrafting. With the release of Revelation, David has finally fully realized the calling he first felt so many years before.
Featuring songs primarily written or co-written by Phelps, Revelation is a showcase for the impressive vocal and musical training that have shaped Phelps as a performer, swirled into a beautiful sonic blend that reflects the best of 21st century pop. From dramatic ballads to R&B-influenced groove and rock-tinged, energetic pop, Revelation reveals the musical passion and substantive message behind this exceptional singer/songwriter.
"The foundation of this album lies in knowing who Christ really is," explains David. "There's a line at the beginning of the song 'Break Free' that sums it up well—'Forget what you've heard about Jesus, if it doesn't begin and end with love.'
"As a culture, both churched and unchurched, we carry around so many ideas of who Jesus is that are not true," David continues. "We relate Christ to the idea of being judged or compared against an impossible standard. I want people to hear about a God who isn't standing there with His finger in their faces, but is simply there with His arms open wide saying, 'I just want to know you. Come to me, and I'll help you through this journey.'"
Every song on Revelation reveals God's mercy and compassion for His people. "Just As I Am," penned by David and award-winning songwriter Cindy Morgan, expresses Christ's loving acceptance of the broken, while "Arms Open Wide," a cut written by Rita Baloche [wife of Paul Baloche ("Above All," "Open the Eyes of My Heart")], praises the Savior for coming to redeem us. From the story of God's loving care as He shapes our lives and the universe in "Virtuoso" to the promise that "God Will Take Care Of You" and the tender ballad "Love Goes On," Revelation paints a portrait of who God really is, all superbly communicated through the expressive artistry of one of Christian music's finest vocalists.
Producers Regie Hamm (Bob Carlisle, Jaci Velasquez, Clay Crosse) and Chris Harris (Avalon, Anointed, Allen Asbury) had the task of guiding David's musical vision and wide tastes into the cohesive and compelling Revelation. The album's title cut is a dramatic, rock opera-styled song that provides a centerpiece, both musically and vocally, for David's talent. "I'm thrilled about this song, because it's a piece that I've spent a lot of time and effort to write," David says of "Revelation." "It represents so much of what I love about music." The song, which tells the story of a man much like David on the morning of Christ's return, reveals David's imaginative story-telling ability, and combines a myriad of his favorite influences, from rock to classical to "Bohemian Rhapsody."
David is making sure that his kids have the same musical opportunities he had by taking them on the road with him and Lori to his concerts. Lori homeschools their two daughters—eight-year-old Callie and six-year-old Maggie Beth—both at home and on tour in order to let them and three-year-old Grant spend more time with Dad. The couple are preparing for the arrival of a fourth little one, due to arrive just in time for the release of Revelation.
For an artist who makes nearly 150 concert appearances every year, the decision to educate their kids themselves was the only right one for them. "I'm gone pretty much every weekend, so I would never get to see my children!" says David. "Homeschooling allows us to pick up and go when we need to, and as a result, our kids have been able to see some wonderful things around the country."
And though one of the things his kids often see are the thousands of people who flock to hear him sing, David is careful to remind them that the walk of Christian faith, even when it's lived out before a national audience, is one of humble obedience. In the regal ballad "Live Like a King," written by Bob Halligan, Jr. (Kathy Mattea, Michael Bolton, Rebecca St. James), David beautifully conveys the paradox that marked Christ's reign here on earth, and that he hopes will always prove to be the example for his own life:
My thirst for the things of this earth, isn't quenched by diamonds or pearls/One man lived the life I want—He's the One they said ruled the world/Though He only wore a crown of thorns, and He never owned a thing…I want to live like a King!
Those words also reveal the purpose behind the tremendous talent God has placed in David's own life. Despite being given such great ability and opportunity, David Phelps is a man who will forever invest that gift in honor of its Giver.
As The Deer
David Phelps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my heart's desire
And i long to to worship Thee
You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
You're my friend and You are my brother
Even though You are a king
I love You more than any other
So much more than anything
I want You more than gold or silver
Only You can satisfy
You, You alone are the real joy giver
And the apple of my eyes
The song “As the Deer” by David Phelps is a beautiful expression of worship that describes the longing of the soul for God. The lyrics of the song, taken from Psalm 42:1-2, speak of a deer who pants for the water, just as the soul pants for God. The song is an expression of the deep desire for God that is felt by many believers. The first two stanzas emphasize the heart's longing to worship God alone as the heart's desire. The line “You alone are my strength, my shield” points towards the fact that God alone can give strength, protection and satisfaction to the soul.
The third stanza of the song speaks of the love for God and how He is a friend and a brother who also happens to be a king. The love for God is greater than any other love or attraction in the world, such as love for silver or gold. The stanza also points out that only God can satisfy the soul, and He alone is the real joy giver. The line, “the apple of my eyes” acknowledges the worth of God and his position as the most important thing in the life of the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
As the deer pantenth for the water
Just as a deer needs water to live, my soul needs You to thrive and survive.
So my soul longeth after Thee
My soul longs for You and craves a deep connection with You.
You alone are my heart's desire
You are the only one that can fulfill the desires of my heart.
And i long to to worship Thee
I truly desire to worship and praise You.
You alone are my strength, my shield
You are my source of strength and protection, the only one that shields me from harm.
To You alone may my spirit yield
I surrender my spirit to You and place my trust in You alone.
You're my friend and You are my brother
You are not only my Savior but also a close friend and brother to me.
Even though You are a king
Despite being a great and mighty King, You choose to be close to me and show me love.
I love You more than any other
I love You more than anything or anyone else in this world.
So much more than anything
My love and devotion to You is far greater than anything else I may desire.
I want You more than gold or silver
I desire You more than material wealth or possessions.
Only You can satisfy
You alone can truly satisfy and fulfill the deepest longings of my heart.
You, You alone are the real joy giver
Only You can bring true joy and fulfillment into my life.
And the apple of my eyes
You are my most cherished possession, the one that I hold most dear.
Writer(s): Martin Nystrom
Contributed by Emma H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@julianokleby1448
When the covid lockdown started, we were watching church services online. One of the joys of my life was watching my daughter sing this with her husband accompanying her on the guitar. There's nothing like watching your child singing and worshipping the Lord! It brings me to tears every time. This song in particular.
@michaeljoydeepmahapatra4662
Yea.. ofc. Me mum feels the same. It's glorious. If we got a great or even a decent voice then we should use it to glorify Jesus and The Lord. Because it's he who gave it to us.
@julianokleby1448
@@michaeljoydeepmahapatra4662 That's right - and He can take it away too! I used to sing in church a lot growing up, but I ended up having over 20 surgeries, and all the breathing tubes going in and out of my windpipe scarred my voice box. Now I can't carry a tune in a bucket - so I just sing in my mind.
My daughters have both been so blessed with wonderful voices and used them to glorify God. In high school, they were both in the top 10 in the whole state in their competitions. One year they were one chair apart, and both in the same vocal range, so they had to sit next to each other at all state. They hated it! Competitive describes it well. And very blessed!!
@michaeljoydeepmahapatra4662
@@julianokleby1448 😊. God bless your family. Me grandad was a preacher. Me dad's a pastor. And both got great voices. Me mum and everyone else in the family knows atleast one musical instrument. More than one tbh. So it's truly a blessing. I am 17. Me and me uncle we sit and compose tunes together on holidays. Yk what if one person in the family works for the Lord then the entire lineage becomes very blessed. Because of me grandad who never really had a lot of materialistic wealth, but always praised God and preached the gospel to other people from other communities, WE ARE A LOT BLESSED. AND I ALWAYS PROVIDE THIS TESTIMONY TO MY FRNDS AND STRANGERS. KEEP FAITH.. AND ITS SAIF THAT WE SHOULDNT BE OVERPROUD ABOUT ANYTHING AS PRIDE IS A PERSONS DOWNFALL. BUT I AM PROUD OF JESUS IF NOT ANYTHING ELSE IN LIFE. DEFINITELY I HAVE DREAMS AND IF IT ALLIGNS WITH THE DESTINY MY GOD HAS FOR ME THEN I WILL ACHIEVE MY DREAMS. AND I WILL ALSO PREACH THE GOSPEL SIDE BY SIDE.
@ednapearson1866
David I love your singing and what you sing. I am an old woman. I used to sing when I was younger. In church and weddings and other occasions. Thank you very much. We will meet in heaven
😂😂😂
@Msmwasi
When watching a true worshipping song, one can't help but worship too. Amen
@Msmwasi
Thank you man of GOD!
@brandonbromsey7396
Is anyone else addicted to David Phelps videos right now? Lol. I find this to be far more worshipful and meaningful than a lot of the popular modern worship these days. The whole production and performance is saturated with beauty and reverence. Bravo, David and other performers. Breath-taking.
@TheKnowledgeRoomChannel
In my humble estimation, David Phelps stands as a paramount tenor of our era, transcending not only the realm of gospel vocalists but also outshining all current solo performers.
@herolinmiller6813
Bless you David for sharing your precious gift with the world.