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.
Live Like a King
David Phelps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Isn't quenched by diamonds or pearls
One Man lived the life that 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
I want to live like a King
And my decree it will ring
"Love will rule everything"
I want to live like a King
This King did the strangest of things
He befriended the sick and the poor
There was no one too wrong, too right, too black, too white for Him to
love
He built no walls, left no unopened doors
Well, now I could croon a million other tunes
There is just one I want to sing
Chorus
I want to be stronger, I want to be wiser
I just want to make every move be the one He'd want to see from me
There's just such power, such healing power
In every word that He said, in every deed that He did
Chorus
The lyrics of David Phelps's song Live Like a King express the artist's desire to lead a life that emulates that of Jesus Christ. The artist starts with admitting his unfulfilled thirst for the pleasures of this world that are typically associated with materialistic items such as diamonds or pearls. He then goes on to claim that he wants to live like a king, only not one that rules the world through wealth or conquest, but one that governs through love.
The chorus of the song repeats the desire to live like a king under the command of love. It is a departure from the traditional desire for power and riches that have been associated with royalty for centuries. The artist acknowledges that the King he wants to live like - Jesus - did things that set Him apart from the typical monarchs of the past. He befriended the sick and the poor, and there was no one too low or too high for Him to love. The artist emphasizes that Jesus did not create barriers of prejudice but instead left all doors open.
The song conveys the message that living like a king by Jesus's standard would involve loving people despite their differences, serving others, and promoting peace. It is a challenging and worthwhile aspiration for the world today.
Line by Line Meaning
My thirst for the things of this earth
I constantly desire material possessions
Isn't quenched by diamonds or pearls
Money and wealth cannot satisfy me
One Man lived the life that I want
There is one person who lived a life I admire
He's the One they said ruled the world
He is the one who is known to have authority over the world
Though He only wore a crown of thorns
Despite the suffering He endured, including wearing a crown made of thorns
And He never owned a thing
He didn't possess material things
Chorus
The repeated part of the song about wanting to live like a king
This King did the strangest of things
The King did things others considered unusual
He befriended the sick and the poor
He associated with and helped those who were sick and poor
There was no one too wrong, too right, too black, too white for Him to love
He loved anyone, regardless of their status, race or ethnicity
He built no walls, left no unopened doors
He didn't create divisions or block people from accessing Him
Well, now I could croon a million other tunes
There are many other things I could sing about
There is just one I want to sing
But there is only one thing I truly desire to sing about
Chorus
The repeated part of the song about wanting to live like a king
I want to be stronger, I want to be wiser
I aim to improve myself and gain strength and wisdom
I just want to make every move be the one He'd want to see from me
I strive to do everything in a way that would please Him
There's just such power, such healing power
There is remarkable strength and curative power
In every word that He said, in every deed that He did
The King's words and actions had a great impact
Chorus
The repeated part of the song about wanting to live like a king
Contributed by Avery H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Vanessa O
You sing so well! And you were sitting down! I don't know much about singing but I have a hard time singing when I'm sitting down.
I wanted to tell anyone reading this something really important.
One day we are all going to stand before God. If you have ever lied, stolen, used God’s name in vain (omg) which is called blasphemy , hated someone (which God consideres murder) or done other things that are against His law ( the Ten Commandments), He sees you as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, murderer. He will judge us, and because we have all broken His law, we ALL deserve hell.
But because He loves us, He became a human about two thousand years ago, lived without sinning, and died a terrible death He didn’t deserve because of us. Three days later He rose from the dead and one day He is coming back.
We all deserve the ultimate punishment (hell). But God loves us so much that He took the punishment on Himself.
We broke Gods law, Jesus paid the fine.
If you repent from your sins ( sincerely apologize for breaking His law and turn away from doing it anymore) and trust in Him and Him only, your punishment will be paid for, you will get eternal life in heaven, and you will no longer go to hell.
I’m not telling you this to judge you. The thought of you going to hell terrifies me. I don’t want anyone to go without hearing this wonderful news.
Thank you whoever took the time to read this.
If you have a Bible, I suggest you read the book of John. You can find many Bible apps on devices.
I pray that you and everyone who reads this will think about this seriously. And I hope to see you in heaven.
Go to NeedGod.com for a video version of what I just talked about.
Check out livingwaters YouTube channel and livingwaters.com and also fullyfreefilms.com for a movie called Exit that deals with depression and suicide.
Carolyn Campbell
This man is truly a Gift from God!!!!! What an amazing voice!!! Second to none!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
washington brito
😊
Jasmine Taylor Taylor de Gala
I love this wonderful Blessed voice in Jesus Name Always
Linda Starkey
I believe the Lord lead me to hear David Phelps. What a blessing he is
Brenda Robinson
Whew! That high sustained note followed by that awesome rift just gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes! WOW! He's the BEST vocalist on the planet today! THANK YOU, LORD, FOR DAVID AND HIS MINISTRY!
Jordan Rice
All in one breath too.
Overture
EXCELLENT!!! Still the MOST TALENTED vocalist on planet Earth 🌎🌍❤️🙏💯🦅🇺🇸
Sandra mclaughlin
Yes he is
Laura Tapper
Amen!
Ron and Mary Etta Wolfe
Amen