The following albums saw large shifts in style. Much Afraid saw them releasing gorgeous - sometimes brittle - music, which the Band intended to have a "timeless" sound, while If I Left the Zoo is a quirkier but musically brilliant album, featuring considerably more keys and experimentation. The Eleventh Hour is their first true "rock" album. They returned to acoustic guitars for the "Furthermore" project, which featured two EPs - a live disc and an acoustic disc. The band's 5th album, Who We Are Instead continued some of the band's earlier sonic experiments and showcased some new gospel, bluegrass, and hymnsong influences. The hymnsong approach was continued on an album of new arrangements of classic hymns - Redemption Songs.
Good Monsters was released on Sept. 05, 2006. The album was hailed by CCM Magazine as "Album of the Year" - a controversial move considering that this announcement was made in August. "Good Monsters" further showcases the diverse style of the venerable quartet and is considered by the band to be their first true "rock" record. It is a rock driven record with electric guitars having prevalence on more of the songs than any previous albums. The album also has other stylistic influences and even includes a choir of African school children, while lyrically, it hits the darker side of their self-shaped genre.
In 2007, Jars of Clay announced that they were leaving Essential Records and were creating their own record label, Gray Matters. Jars of Clay released Christmas Songs through Gray Matters in 2007, and the Closer EP was released in the Summer of 2008.
April 21, 2009 marked the release of The Long Fall Back to Earth, containing two tracks from the Closer EP and 12 additional tracks. Two Hands is the first single from that release.
God Will Lift Up Your Head
Jars of Clay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hope and be undismayed
God hears your sighs and counts your tears
God will lift up
God will lift up
Lift up your head
[Chorus]
God will lift up your head
God will lift up your head
He will lift up, lift up your head
Leave to His sovereign way
To choose and to command
Then shall we wandering on His way
Know how wise and how strong
How wise and how strong
[Chorus]
Through waves and clouds and storms,
He gently clears the way
Wait because in His time, so shall this night
Soon end in joy,
Soon end in joy
Soon end in joy,
Soon end in joy.
[Chorus]
In Jars of Clay’s song “God Will Lift Up Your Head”, the lyrics speak to the idea of overcoming fear and despair through faith and trust in God. The opening line “Give to the wind your fear, hope and be undismayed” urges the listener to let go of their fears and worries, and instead find hope and reassurance in knowing that God hears their every sigh and counts their tears. This sentiment is further reinforced in the chorus, with the repetition of the phrase “God will lift up your head”, emphasizing the idea that God will provide comfort and support for those who turn to Him.
The song also speaks to the concept of surrender and trusting in God’s plan, even when it may not align with our own desires or expectations. The line “Leave to His sovereign way, to choose and to command” highlights the idea of yielding to God’s will, and trusting that His wisdom and strength will guide us on the right path. This theme is echoed in the chorus as well, with the repetition of the phrase “how wise and how strong”.
Finally, the song acknowledges that life can be full of challenges and struggles, with “waves and clouds and storms” representing the difficulties we all face. However, even in the midst of these struggles, God is there to guide us and provide a way out. The final lines of the chorus offer a message of hope, reminding the listener that the dark and difficult times will eventually give way to joy and light.
Overall, “God Will Lift Up Your Head” offers a powerful message of faith, hope, and surrender, emphasizing the idea that even in the darkest of times, God is there to offer comfort, guidance, and ultimately, joy.
Line by Line Meaning
Give to the wind your fear
Let go of your fear and cast it to the wind
Hope and be undismayed
Stay hopeful and don't lose your courage
God hears your sighs and counts your tears
God is aware of your pain and sorrows
God will lift up
God will provide help and support
God will lift up
God will provide help and support
Lift up your head
Raise your head high and don't lose hope
God will lift up your head
Trust in God, he will provide support
God will lift up your head
Trust in God, he will provide support
God will lift up your head
Trust in God, he will provide support
He will lift up, lift up your head
God will raise your spirits and provide comfort
Leave to His sovereign way
Trust God's plan and his divine will
To choose and to command
God has full control over our fate
Then shall we wandering on His way
We will better understand God's wisdom and power as we follow his path
Know how wise and how strong
We will gain insight into God's vast wisdom and strength
God will lift up your head
God will provide the strength and support required during difficult times
God will lift up your head
God will provide the strength and support required during difficult times
God will lift up your head
God will provide the strength and support required during difficult times
Through waves and clouds and storms,
Even during challenging times and difficult situations
He gently clears the way
God can calm the storm and make a path through the challenging situation
Wait because in His time, so shall this night
Be patient because in God's time, the darkness of the night will pass
Soon end in joy,
We can find happiness and joy in God's grace
Soon end in joy
We can find happiness and joy in God's grace
Soon end in joy,
We can find happiness and joy in God's grace
Soon end in joy,
We can find happiness and joy in God's grace
God will lift up your head
God will provide support and hope, leading to joy and happiness
God will lift up your head
God will provide support and hope, leading to joy and happiness
God will lift up your head
God will provide support and hope, leading to joy and happiness
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: DP, CHARLIE LOWELL, DAN HASELTINE, MATT ODMARK, STEPHEN DANIEL MASON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind