Known for blending traditional Jewish themes with Reggae, rock and hip hop sounds, Matisyahu is most recognizable for being an orthodox Jew and writing a number of songs based on his faith and beliefs. Since 2004, he has released four studio albums as well as one live album, two remix CDs and one DVD featuring a live concert, and a number of interviews. Through his short career, Matisyahu has teamed up with some of the biggest names in reggae production including Bill Laswell and duo Sly & Robbie. The Tel Aviv'n Songfacts states several tracks of his fourth studio album, Spark Seeker, were recorded in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Since his debut, Matisyahu has received positive reviews from both rock and reggae outlets. Most recently, he was named Top Reggae Artist of 2006 by Billboard as well as being named a spokesperson for Kenneth Cole.
Matthew Miller was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA on June 30th 1979, corresponding to the Jewish date of the 5th of Tamuz 5740. Shortly after his birth, the Miller family moved to Berkeley, CA and eventually settled in White Plains, NY. Growing up, Matisyahu's parents sent him to Hebrew School a couple of times a week, but like many kids, he resisted the additional school hours and was frequently threatened with expulsion for disrupting the lessons.
By the age of 14, Matthew Miller slid comfortably into the laid-back lifestyle of a teenage hippie. Having fallen in with the "Dead-Head" crowd, he grew dreadlocks and wore his Birkenstocks all winter long. He played his bongos in the lunchroom and learned how to beat-box in the back of class. By 11th grade, despite his carefree days, Matisyahu couldn't ignore the void in his life. After nearly burning down his chemistry class, he knew his mission must begin immediately. He decided to set off on a camping trip in Colorado. Away from his suburban life in White Plains, Matisyahu had the opportunity to take an introspective look at himself and contemplate his environment. It was there in the awe-inspiring landscape of the Rocky Mountains, that Matisyahu had an eye-opening realization: there is a God.
After Colorado, his spiritual curiosity piqued and Matisyahu took his first trip to Israel. There, for the first time in his life, he felt a connection to the God he discovered in Colorado. Israel was a major turning point. Matisyahu relished the time he spent there, praying, exploring, and dancing in Jerusalem. In every nook he encountered, his dormant Jewish identity stirred into consciousness.
Leaving Israel proved to be a difficult transition. Once back in White Plains, Matisyahu didn't know how to maintain his new connection with Judaism. Feeling dejected, he fatefully dropped out of high school and began following Phish on a national tour. On the road, Matisyahu thought seriously about his life, his music, and his thirst for Judaism.
After a few months, burnt out and broke, he returned home. By this time his parents insisted that Matisyahu go and "straighten" himself out at a wilderness school in Bend, Oregon. The school encouraged artistic pursuits and Matisyahu took advantage of this time to delve further into his music. He studied up on reggae and hip-hop. He attended a weekly open-mic where he rapped, sang, beat-boxed, and did almost anything he could to stay creatively charged. It was then that he started to develop the unique reggae-hip hop sound for which he would one day become known.
After 2 years in the "sticks," the 19-year old Matisyahu returned to New York a changed man. He moved to the city to attend The New School where he continued honing his musical craft, and also dabbled in the theater. During this time, he happened on the Carlebach Shul, a synagogue on the Upper West Side, well known for its hippie-friendly vibe and exuberant singing. This encounter further fueled his soul-fire, turning him on to the mystical power of song in Hasidic Judaism. Now, instead of beat boxing in the back of the classroom, he was leaving the classroom to pray on the school's roof. (Religious or not, this guy ain't made for the classrooms.)
While studying at New School, Matisyahu wrote a play entitled "Echad" (One). The play was about a boy who meets a Hasidic rabbi in Washington Square Park and through him becomes religious. Shortly after the play's performance, Matisyahu's life strangely imitated his art. Indeed, years after the initial sparks were lit, Matisyahu met a Lubavitcher rabbi in the park, spurring his transformation from Matthew to Matisyahu.
A person who was once skeptical of authority and rules, Matisyahu began to explore and eventually fully take on the Lubavitch Hasidic lifestyle. He thrived on the discipline and structure of Judaism, making every attempt to abide by Jewish Law. The Chabad-Lubavitch philosophy proved to be a powerful guide for Matisyahu. It surrounded him with the spiritual dialogue and intellectual challenge he had been seeking for the past decade. The turmoil and frustration of his search subsided, and now, 2 years later, Matisyahu lives in Crown Heights, splitting his time between the stage and his yeshiva.
Drawing from the sounds of Bob Marley, Shlomo Carlebach, Buju Banton, and Sizzla, yet remaining wholly original, Matisyahu's performance is an uplifting, powerful experience for all in his presence. Even the most pessimistic in his audience is inspired by his ability to so honestly convey such a delicate topic as faith/spirituality. It is his dedication to his belief and openness to others that compels one to respect his artistry and message. It's in that fleeting moment when our skepticism melts and our souls open up, that Matisyahu enters with his booming sound of faith.
http://www.matisyahuworld.com/
Exaltation
Matisyahu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh no, come swing back like a catapult
The sea and its fullness will roar
He is our help and our shield our soul yearns for the lord
Burning God of Yaacov everlasting stronghold
Break down the door I can't hold back no more
Wait all night long, until the early morning
Exaltation, my God of salvation
The field and there in will be filled with jubilation
The lord's name will be proclaimed
Exaltation, my God of salvation
The field and there in will be filled with jubilation
The lord's name will be proclaimed
Arise, be our help
Place my trust in your kindness
It's a must hoping in the God of deliverance
Since way back when before time began
Existing eternally, everlasting
Rejoice in the name of his majesty so we sing
Exaltation, my God of salvation
The field and there in will be filled with jubilation
The lord's name will be proclaimed
Exaltation, my God of salvation
The field and there in will be filled with jubilation
The lord's name will be proclaimed
Chant sweet melodies, utter hymns and sing praise to the King
For he's alone exalted holy,
Performing mighty deeds and making new things,
Sowing righteousness and creating healing
He spoke, the world came into being
Master of praise, renews each day
Redeems and saves, continuously, blessed is his name
Making great lights, creating luminaries
Abounding in mercy
Won't you grant me understanding
To perceive, all the teachings in your Torah of love,
Existing eternally
Exaltation, my God of salvation
The field and there in will be filled with jubilation
The lord's name will be proclaimed
Exaltation, my God of salvation
The field and there in will be filled with jubilation
The lord's name will be proclaimed
The lyrics to Matisyahu's "Exaltation" are a celebration of the greatness and power of God. The opening lines, "Heavens rejoice and the earth will exalt / Oh no, come swing back like a catapult," suggest that the natural world is responding to the glory of God in a profound and joyous way. The sea roars with excitement, and the singer declares that "He is our help and our shield our soul yearns for the lord." The lyrics turn to a plea for God's help and intervention, with images of "breaking down the door" and waiting "like night watchmen" for God's arrival.
The chorus of "Exaltation" is a declaration of faith and worship. The singer sings, "Exaltation, my God of salvation / The field and there in will be filled with jubilation / The lord's name will be proclaimed." The repetition of the word "exaltation" emphasizes the singer's desire to lift up and praise God. The verses that follow continue to extol God's greatness, singing about his power to create, redeem, and perform miracles. The final lines of the song, "Existing eternally / Exaltation, my God of salvation / The field and there in will be filled with jubilation / The lord's name will be proclaimed" reinforce the idea that God is everlasting and worthy of endless praise.
Line by Line Meaning
Heavens rejoice and the earth will exalt
The entire world celebrates and honors the greatness of God.
Oh no, come swing back like a catapult
God will bring swift and powerful justice.
The sea and its fullness will roar
Even the vast ocean and its creatures can't contain their praise for God.
He is our help and our shield our soul yearns for the lord
We rely on God for protection and support, and our spirits deeply desire to connect with Him.
Burning God of Yaacov everlasting stronghold
God is a powerful and eternal force who protects and defends His chosen people.
Break down the door I can't hold back no more
I can't contain my enthusiasm and longing for God any longer.
Wait all night long, until the early morning
We will persist in our devotion and prayers all night, until the sun rises.
Like night watchmen wait for the dawning
Just like guards who eagerly anticipate the end of their shift, we eagerly await the coming of God.
Exaltation, my God of salvation
We praise God for His saving power and glory.
The field and there in will be filled with jubilation
All of creation responds with joy and revelry when God is honored and celebrated.
The lord's name will be proclaimed
God's name will be spoken and exalted by believers everywhere.
Arise, be our help
We ask God to intervene and assist us in our times of need.
Place my trust in your kindness
We rely on God's mercy and compassion to guide and protect us.
It's a must hoping in the God of deliverance
We have faith and hope in God's power to rescue us.
Since way back when before time began
God has existed for all eternity, before the beginning of the world.
Existing eternally, everlasting
God is a timeless and permanent presence throughout all of history.
Rejoice in the name of his majesty so we sing
We celebrate and praise the great and glorious name of God.
Chant sweet melodies, utter hymns and sing praise to the King
We express our gratitude and devotion to God through uplifting music and song.
For he's alone exalted holy,
God is the only one who is truly sacred and worthy of praise.
Performing mighty deeds and making new things,
God is capable of accomplishing amazing feats and creating wonders beyond our imagination.
Sowing righteousness and creating healing
God brings justice and wholeness to the world through His righteous deeds.
He spoke, the world came into being
God created the universe simply by speaking it into existence.
Master of praise, renews each day
God is the ultimate source of all goodness and inspiration, and constantly revitalizes the world.
Redeems and saves, continuously, blessed is his name
God rescues and delivers people from harm, continuously and without fail.
Making great lights, creating luminaries
God makes stars and other sources of light, illuminating the dark universe and bringing hope to people.
Abounding in mercy
God is full of compassion and grace for all living things.
Won't you grant me understanding
We ask God to give us wisdom and insight into understanding His ways.
To perceive, all the teachings in your Torah of love,
We strive to understand and embody God's message of love and kindness towards all people.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOSHUA WERNER, MATTHEW MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edwel B Abuan
on One Day (New Album Version)
queenie abuan
Edwel B Abuan
on One Day (New Album Version)
queenie abuan
Bryan Valero Gutierrez
on Indestructible
nice ang ganda talaga ng mga kanta ni MATISYAHU sound trip pa more