Eschewing the typical small talk that usually happens before a conversation really gets started, Papa wastes no time digging into the heart of the matter. As an artist who isn’t interested in simply making music for music’s sake, Papa writes songs that center around God’s word and doesn’t consider his job done until the lyrics have taken permanent residence in a listener’s gray matter.
“If you can write a song that’s full of God’s word, and that song gets in someone’s head, that’s a powerful thing,” Papa says. “I often don’t remember a sermon I heard yesterday, let alone a year ago. But with songs, there’s a hook, and people remember it. So that’s why I want to write about Scripture. I don’t want to waste time.”
Staying right on point, the call to live intentionally is a theme that resonates deeply through the songs of Papa’s new Centricity Music release, Your Kingdom Come.
“The main thing that’s been on my heart is missions and how I can inspire students to be the hands and feet of Christ and go to the places where people haven’t even heard the name of Jesus,” Papa shares. “I heard someone say once that it’s easy to lift your hands before God in worship, but if you aren’t reaching those hands out to the world, those hands lifted to God are worthless. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not against lifting our hands in worship. But we also must love this world with those same hands.”
That idea of being flexible and available to do whatever God calls us to do—even if it’s (gasp!) inconvenient—is what inspired the album’s central thesis and first single, “Open Hands” that Papa co-wrote with fellow independent singer/songwriter James Tealy.
“You have to live before God with open hands. We may have our plans and ideas, but at any moment, Christians, unlike the world, have to be ready to drop anything and totally do something else if God is calling us to,” Papa says. “It’s a very strange life, yet it’s exactly how Jesus wants our hands to be—open and available. We need to embrace the idea of anything He wants to change, anything He wants to take, it’s Yours now.”
In addition to issuing a challenge for himself and fellow Christians to continually leave a lasting impression of God’s goodness and faithfulness wherever we are, Your Kingdom Come is also filled with several buoyant, unabashed declarations of praise on “Hallelujah, Our God Reigns,” “Trinity” and “Here Am I, Send Me.”
“With ‘Here Am I, Send Me,’ it was Isaiah who uttered those famous words after seeing The Lord, high and exalted,” Papa says. “The Church has forgotten to pray those words for too long. It is wonderful and necessary to demonstrate acts of kindness, service and love, but those by themselves aren’t enough. The world must hear the Gospel. They must hear the name of Jesus. And we, the Church, must surrender all we have and go tell them!”
But Papa’s message isn’t the only thing that’s bold about his work. Like his previous albums, Papa continues to draw from a progressive palette of musical genres. Incorporating classical timbres, earthy Middle Eastern textures and moments that are straight up rock ’n’ roll in the vein of Foo Fighters and Delirious, the tracks are rich, complex and beautifully showcase Papa’s diversity as a musician, worship leader, singer and composer.
When asked who his biggest influence was making Your Kingdom Come, however, Papa doesn’t namedrop a bunch of his favorite bands. Instead, he credits his bride, Lauren.
“My recent marriage was a huge part of this album,” Papa shares. “My wife has always had a big heart for missions, and for me, this album has reflected my personal journey of surrender. It’s not about me traveling around, going from place to place and making a name for myself. I want God to use me for His kingdom, not me using God for my kingdom.”
As Papa looks to his future in ministry, he acknowledges that his focus has shifted. In addition to playing his music, he’s also starting seminary in the fall.
“I’m going to be taking it slow, but I’m so excited because it’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Papa shares. “We [my wife and I] want to challenge and inspire students and be sending people to the nations. And whether it’s through what I’m learning in class or through these new songs, we want to fuel The Great Commission.”
Amen
Matt Papa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've learned some things, I′ve earned some scars
The hardest part is learning to say Amen
If God is good, all-powerful
Then why such pain, why such evil
I'm finding the answer in learning to say Amen
Amen, amen, amen
Let it be amen
I'm bringing forth this broken prayer
Your Kingdom Come, Your will be done Amen
Well I′ve got questions I can′t shake
Sometimes You give, sometimes You take
Still I will say Blessed be Your Name, Amen
Amen, amen, amen
Let it be amen
One day when this life is past
And the curse is lifted here at last
Time will flee, the earth will breathe, Amen
Well wars will cease and peace will reign
And all God's children on that day
Will hear the voice of The Almighty say Amen
The song "Amen" by Matt Papa is a contemplative piece of art that delves into the complexities of faith and the questions that arise as we navigate the ups and downs of life. The lyrics highlight the personal struggles of the artist as he wrestles with the concept of pain and evil in the world, even with his unwavering faith in a good and all-powerful God. The opening lines acknowledge the weariness and the scars that have come from walking the narrow way, and a recognition that despite his best efforts, he has much to learn.
The song's chorus repeats the word "amen" several times, reminding the listener of its significance as an affirmation of belief and submission to God's will. The lyrics acknowledge that there are times when it is hard to say "amen" - when we face challenges that seem too big to handle or when we don't understand the reasons behind the hardships we experience. The second verse acknowledges the existence of unanswered questions and the struggle to make sense of God's plan. However, the artist resolves to continue trusting in God, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
The third verse paints a picture of a future where all is made right, where wars have ceased, and peace reigns. The last line of the song symbolically ties together the themes of submission and hope by directing the listener to the day when all of God's children will hear His voice and affirm their belief with a resounding "amen."
Overall, "Amen" is a powerful song that celebrates the perseverance of faith in spite of doubt and offers a glimpse of hope in the beauty of the future that awaits us.
Line by Line Meaning
This narrow way I've tread so far
I've walked a difficult path up to this point
I've learned some things, I've earned some scars
My struggles have taught me valuable lessons, but have also caused me pain
The hardest part is learning to say Amen
It's difficult to accept God's will when it doesn't align with my desires
If God is good, all-powerful
I believe God is both good and all-powerful
Then why such pain, why such evil
I struggle to understand why there is suffering and evil in the world
I'm finding the answer in learning to say Amen
I'm learning to accept God's plan even when it's difficult
Amen, amen, amen
I reaffirm my faith
Let it be amen
May my faith remain steadfast
Through dying dreams and my despair
Even when my hopes and dreams are crushed
I'm bringing forth this broken prayer
I still pray to God despite my pain
Your Kingdom Come, Your will be done Amen
I submit to God's will
Well I've got questions I can't shake
I have doubts and uncertainties
Sometimes You give, sometimes You take
God's plan doesn't always align with my desires
Still I will say Blessed be Your Name, Amen
I will continue to praise God regardless
One day when this life is past
Eventually, life on earth will end
And the curse is lifted here at last
All suffering and evil will come to an end
Time will flee, the earth will breathe, Amen
Everything will be made new
Well wars will cease and peace will reign
There will be everlasting peace
And all God's children on that day
Everyone who believes in God
Will hear the voice of The Almighty say Amen
God will acknowledge his children as his own
Writer(s): sue smith, lauren papa, matt papa
Contributed by Kaelyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paige Cowell
on The Lord Is a Warrior (feat. Shai Linne)
Revalation 19
Heaven's open behold a white horse amazing the view
The one sitting on the horse called faithful and true
He judges and makes war, the reign of messiah
His eyes flames of fire, strange his attire
His robe dipped in blood but his name is not Joseph
His aim is explosive God's fame is denotive
Flashback long before this moment would end
He loved his opponents when he made atonement for sin
Resurrected at the Father's right hand he sat down
Well he's back now and found on his head a mack crown
Smack down
The sights and sounds amazing
A sharp sword's in his mouth to strike down the nations
Today is the day thats he's welcoming the foreigners
Well bet and believe that he hung up on the cross for ya
Otherwise you'll read him as a holy right distorter
Somebody call the (?)
The Lord is a warrior