Rise Up
Matt Maher Lyrics


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When you see the road ahead
That you've been down before
When you're halfway to nowhere
And you can't pay the toll

You're hanging onto mercy
Withered on the vine
With your feet on the ground, your head in the clouds
And your heart on the line

Open up your eyes

You've got to rise up, rise up
When this life has got you down
You've got to look up, look up
When you search and nothing's found
My eyes have seen the glory of the love that's here and now
It's coming down
So rise up now

When you're told that day is over
Long after the sun goes down
And your mind it keeps on racing
At the dreams that don't come 'round

When you don't know how to surrender
'Cause your whole life's been a fight
When the dark holds you and you can't break through
'Cause you haven't seen the light

Open up your eyes

You've got to rise up, rise up
When this life has got you down
You've got to look up, look up
When you search and nothing's found
My eyes have seen the glory of the love that's here and now
It's coming down
So rise up now
Yeah rise up now
Oh rise up now

And all the lambs roar like lions
And all the prisoners breaking their chains
And all the poor find their treasure
'Cause heaven is coming this way


Rise up, rise up
When this life has got you down
You've got to look up, look up
When you search and nothing's found
My eyes have seen the glory of the love that's here and now
It's coming down
So rise up now




Yeah rise up now
Oh rise up now

Overall Meaning

The song "Rise Up" by Matt Maher encourages listeners to keep pushing forward despite the challenges they face in life. The opening lines of the song suggest a sense of déjà vu: the feeling of being on a familiar journey, having experienced the same pitfalls before. The metaphorical toll that the singer mentions here may refer to the emotional costs of facing these struggles yet again. In desperation, the singer pleads for us, the listeners, to hold onto mercy that may have withered within us, but is not completely lost. The next line switches abruptly to a description of earthly reality, with feet on the ground on one end, and head in the clouds on the other. "Your heart on the line" suggests vulnerability, with open emotion at risk of hurt or injury.


The chorus of the song is repeated twice, with the "rise up" command given. To "look up" may mean to search for a source of faith or hope, while searching for the "glory of love that's here and now". As the song progresses, the need to persist in the face of adversity is referred to again, this time with darkness as the obstacle. The last verse of the song describes change to the current system, where the poor are enriched, the prisoners are freed, and the lambs roar like lions, a clear verse invoking the Biblical prophecy of easing worldly pain.


Line by Line Meaning

When you see the road ahead That you've been down before
When you're facing a familiar, challenging situation that you've been through already


When you're halfway to nowhere And you can't pay the toll
When you're lost and stuck without a way to move forward


You're hanging onto mercy Withered on the vine
You're just barely holding on to hope and grace that feel like they've been neglected


With your feet on the ground, your head in the clouds And your heart on the line
You feel grounded yet uncertain with a vulnerable emotional state


Open up your eyes
Wake up and be aware of the present moment


You've got to rise up, rise up When this life has got you down
You need to stand strong and push through when life gets tough and knocks you down


You've got to look up, look up When you search and nothing's found
When you can't find what you're looking for, keep trying and have faith


My eyes have seen the glory of the love that's here and now It's coming down
There is love all around you and it's worth seeking and celebrating


When you're told that day is over Long after the sun goes down
When you feel defeated and like everything's over and finished


And your mind it keeps on racing At the dreams that don't come 'round
When you can't stop thinking about dreams that haven't materialized yet


When you don't know how to surrender 'Cause your whole life's been a fight
When you find it hard to let go and accept things as they are because you're used to fighting


When the dark holds you and you can't break through 'Cause you haven't seen the light
When you feel trapped and can't find a way out because you haven't found clarity or hope


And all the lambs roar like lions And all the prisoners breaking their chains And all the poor find their treasure 'Cause heaven is coming this way
People who feel powerless and hopeless will regain strength and overcome their struggles because good things are coming in the future


Yeah rise up now Oh rise up now
Affirmation and encouragement to stand up and face challenges head-on




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHUCK BUTLER, DAIFAH DAVIES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@randyehrler

The amazing thing about music is how often the “perfect” song will come on at exactly the moment you need to here it. I am in the midst of a drought personally – under attack and smelling defeat – but still fighting. This song came on the radio this morning – it put wind in my sails for the rest of the day. If you are on the ropes today – give this song a listen – it will pick you up, guaranteed. Be brave brother, and never stop fighting. Peace & God Bless!

@kellywheeler670

One of my all time favorite Christian songs! I had the amazing opp to hear you play it live in Minnesota huge blessing. Such an embodiment of the words I believe Christ wants to fill us with. This song continues to stay with me on my journey. Peace brothers!

@FinneyPhilipIndia

There were nights where I never wanted to see another morning in my life,
Being pained crushed, broken apart,
For our Christ is the hope and give us strength to Rise up Rise up,

God bless you Matt and May Lord use you more for his ministry ahead

@kathyzacherl8014

Love this song especially when you are at your worst 🙏💯

@chrysanthemum3464

I love this song! It pops into my head when I need it most. We see the Lord shining through you, Matt! God's blessings

@frankragsdale144

If you can get to one of his concerts!!! You'll be glad you did!!! The man is TRULY God Gifted!!! I just went Friday night 3/9/18, in High Point, N.C., to see him. I honest don't believe there is a single song Matt sings, that can't keep from going Gold!!!! GO SEE HIM!!! AWESOME CONCERT!!!

@cowgirl8688

Thank you matt Maher for your music

@gabriellamcintire

When i first heard this song at the march for life rally i was goin through a hard time and i heard this song and it taught me everythings gonna be alright if i just trust in God and that's what i did

@josephkreifelsii6596

This is my next alarmclock song. Now I can wake up to "RISE UP RISE UP"

Previous songs used for morning alarm:
God Is On The Move - 7venth time down
Nothings Gonna Stop Us - Side Walk Prophets.

@davecarlson9584

Joseph Kreifels II Thumbs up

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