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.
There Is a Fountain Filled With Blood
David Phelps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drawn from Immanuel's veins;
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains:
Lose all their guilty stains,
Lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains.
That fountain in his day;
And there may I, though vile as he,
Wash all my sins away:
Wash all my sins away,
Wash all my sins away;
And there may I, though vile as he,
Wash all my sins away.
Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its power,
Till all the ransomed ones of God
Be saved, to sin no more:
Be saved, to sin no more,
Be saved, to sin no more;
Till all the ransomed ones of God,
Be saved to sin no more.
E'er since by faith I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die:
And shall be till I die,
And shall be till I die;
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die.
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue
Lies silent in the grave,
Then in a nobler, sweeter song,
I'll sing Thy power to save:
I'll sing Thy power to save,
I'll sing Thy power to save;
Then in a nobler, sweeter song,
I'll sing Thy power to save.
The song, "There is a Fountain Filled with Blood," speaks to the power of Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross. The opening verse declares that there is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel's veins. The phrase "drawn from Immanuel's veins" refers to Christ's blood being poured out during his crucifixion. The blood that flowed from Christ's body is believed to have cleansed the sins of humanity when he died. This idea is conveyed in the second verse when the dying thief is mentioned. According to Christian scripture, the thief who was crucified on the cross with Jesus recognized him as the Messiah and was forgiven of his sins moments before he died. The song suggests that through Christ's sacrifice, sinners can also be forgiven of their sins.
The song goes on to reiterate the cleansing power of Christ's blood using the phrase "Lose all their guilty stains." The idea is that through faith in Christ, believers can be cleansed of sin and guilt. The third verse honors Christ, called the "dear dying Lamb," and declares that his precious blood will never lose its power. The final verse speaks to the eternal nature of Christ's sacrifice. The lyrics affirm the singer's faith that he will one day join a chorus of saints singing praises to God for his saving power.
Line by Line Meaning
There is a fountain filled with blood
A source of cleansing exists that is filled with blood.
Drawn from Immanuel's veins;
This cleansing source is drawn from the veins of Immanuel.
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
When sinners immerse themselves in that source, they become purified.
Lose all their guilty stains:
Any marks of wrongdoing on sinners are completely eradicated.
The dying thief rejoiced to see
A criminal who was dying found joy in witnessing this fountain of purification.
That fountain in his day;
He encountered this purification source during his lifetime.
And there may I, though vile as he,
I aspire to experience purification in the same way, even though I am as unworthy as that criminal.
Wash all my sins away:
I hope to cleanse myself of every wrongdoing.
Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
The valuable blood of the dying Lamb.
Shall never lose its power,
This blood's power to purify will never diminish.
Till all the ransomed ones of God
No one who God has saved will be left out.
Be saved, to sin no more:
People will be purified from wrongdoing permanently.
E'er since by faith I saw the stream
Ever since I saw the stream by believing,
Thy flowing wounds supply,
Injuries that continue to bleed as the source flows,
Redeeming love has been my theme,
I have been singing about love that brings redemption.
And shall be till I die:
In my singing, I will persist until my death.
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue
When this weak, stuttering speech of mine
Lies silent in the grave,
When I die and this tongue perishes,
Then in a nobler, sweeter song,
Then, still, in a more profound and pleasant tune,
I'll sing Thy power to save:
I'll sing of the power to purify life.
Writer(s): William Cowper
Contributed by Miles D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@esdrasrodrigues2808
There Is A Fountain
There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Immanuel's veins
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains
Lose all their guilty stains
Lose all their guilty stains
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains
The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day
And there may I, though vile as he
Wash all my sins away
Away
Away
Wash all my sins away
E'er since by faith I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply
Redeeming love has been my theme
And shall be till I die
And shall be till I die
And shall be till I die
Redeeming love has been my theme
And shall be till I die
Wash all my sins away
Wash all my sins away
Redeeming love has been my theme
And shall be till I die
@carmeletabell4355
I can't stop watching this video . David sings with such conviction ! This is my favorite hymn. Thank God for redeeming love !!
@jmfjmfjmffrania4312
I can't understand why God loves me so much but I am oh so happy He does.
@bxhija7898
He created you, of course he loves you. We’re all wicked, we all curse God’s name all the time and we commit so much sin, yet he STILL loves us... it’s a shame a LOT of people don’t love him.
@TT67X
Amen 🙏🏻🙌🏼
@merciawilliams4627
Wow what a voice. David Phleps sings with such conviction that I have to say Lord use me in your vineyard.
@nannykat1057
David Phelps. No words to describe his voice and his control of his voice.... And I LOVE that hair and the facial hair... :-) He's simply a beautiful person....especially his heart for Jesus!! My hubby and I saw him in person….and met him....just...wow. Unforgettable.
@jane1162
My all time song. LORD Jesus thank for choosing me first. Please keep me safe under thy Wings Father
@garyannmack8434
He will
@aph.iwedlamini
When David Phelps opens his mouth to sing, oh Lord😍😭😭😭.
@sandrastumpf7177
Amen