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.”
The Ocean
Matt Papa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who could deny your glory, God?
The mountains that rise, the sea as it breaks
This world full of life, it's all just a taste
These are scattered beams, you are the bright sun
These are shallow streams you are the ocean
These are just shadows, and you are the substance
You are the ocean
Father of life you give every blessing
Who could deny that you are good?
A table of friends
A welcome embrace
The joys we have found
The echoes of grace
These are scattered beams, you are the bright sun
These are shallow streams you are the ocean
These are just shadows, and you are the substance
We are thirsty, we are dry, only you can satisfy
You are the ocean
For from you and through you and to you are all things
All things forever my God Then when our eyes behold your appearing
Who will deny that you are God?
Your glory will shine our idols will fade
We see now in parts but then face to face
These are scattered beams, you are the bright sun
These are shallow streams you are the ocean
These are just shadows, and you are the substance
We are thirsty, we are dry, only you can satisfy
You are the ocean
These are scattered beams, you are the bright sun
These are shallow streams you are the ocean
These are just shadows, and you are the substance
We are thirsty, we are dry, only you can satisfy
You are the ocean
In "The Ocean" by Matt Papa, the lyrics invite the listener to reflect upon the greatness of God and His creation. The first verse encourages us to look up at the star-painted heavens, to admire the mountains and the sea, and to recognize that they are all just a taste of God's glory. The chorus then draws a parallel between these magnificent creations and God's own greatness, calling Him the bright sun, the ocean, and the substance behind all the shadows. The second verse acknowledges that God is the giver of every blessing and the source of all joys and graces. The bridge then declares that everything is from God and through Him and to Him, and that His glory will shine and outlast all our idols.
The song’s title refers to its metaphorical use of the ocean to represent God’s vast and unfathomable nature. This theme is repeated throughout the song, with the ocean used as a symbol of God’s greatness, omnipotence and unending love. Matt Papa explains that he was inspired to write this song after watching the waves of the ocean while on a retreat.
The lyrics also serve to remind listeners that in a world full of distractions and empty promises, only God can satisfy our deepest longings. The song invites us to gaze upon God's glory, to seek His presence, and to find our ultimate fulfillment in Him.
Line by Line Meaning
Look to the sky the star painted heavens
We admire the beauty of the sky that you painted with stars
Who could deny your glory, God?
No one can reject the honour and splendour that you deserve, God
The mountains that rise, the sea as it breaks
We see the mountains standing tall and the waves of the ocean crashing down
This world full of life, it's all just a taste
The vibrant and lively world we live in is just a small glimpse of what you are capable of, God
These are scattered beams, you are the bright sun
All the small things we see in this world are just fragments in comparison to your magnitude, God
These are shallow streams you are the ocean
The joys we experience in life are nothing when compared to the fulfillment we find in you, God
These are just shadows, and you are the substance
All the lesser things in life are just temporary and insignificant, but you are permanent and everything that matters, God
We are thirsty, we are dry, only you can satisfy
We have a longing within us that only you, God, can quench and fulfill
Father of life you give every blessing
You, God, are the creator and source of life and every good thing we have
Who could deny that you are good?
It is impossible to reject the fact that you, God, are good in every way
A table of friends
We find joy and companionship when sharing a meal with loved ones
A welcome embrace
We feel comfort and love when someone embraces us
The joys we have found
We have discovered happiness and pleasure in various aspects of life
The echoes of grace
We hear and feel the effects of your infinite and undeserved favour, God
For from you and through you and to you are all things
Everything that exists, originates from you, passes through you, and ultimately belongs to you, God
All things forever my God
You, God, have control over everything, and nothing exists outside of your power and will
Then when our eyes behold your appearing
The moment we see you, God, face to face
Who will deny that you are God?
No one will refuse or reject you as the true and only God
Your glory will shine our idols will fade
Your brilliance and magnificence will overshadow all the lesser things we once valued
We see now in parts but then face to face
Currently, we only understand a small portion of your divine nature, but one day we will comprehend it fully
We are thirsty, we are dry, only you can satisfy
Our souls are longing and empty, and only you, God, can truly fulfill our deepest desires
These are scattered beams, you are the bright sun
All the small things in life are nothing compared to your immeasurable brilliance and grandeur, God
These are shallow streams you are the ocean
All the passing pleasures of life are nothing compared to the depths of fulfillment and satisfaction we find in you, God
These are just shadows, and you are the substance
All the lesser things in life are just fleeting and insignificant, but you, God, are the eternal foundation and fulcrum of all existence
We are thirsty, we are dry, only you can satisfy
Our souls are longing and empty, and only you, God, can truly fulfill our deepest desires
You are the ocean
You, God, are the ultimate source of fulfillment and joy that we all crave and desperately need
Contributed by Christopher I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jud6816
Thank you God for letting me listen to this song ❤️
@faithoverfear6263
To God be the glory!
@seancarpenter5692
Dude this song is incredible!! Praise the Lord!! This is only a taste!!
@alexanderduvall2567
“God is the highest good of the reasonable creature. The enjoyment of him is our proper; and is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Better than fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of any, or all earthly friends. These are but shadows; but the enjoyment of God is the substance. These are but scattered beams; but God is the sun. These are but streams; but God is the fountain. These are but drops, but God is the ocean.” —Johnathan Edwards
@NomosCharis
Wonderful! Amazing!
@1968Josephus
Awesome. Christ has blessed you with an awesome talent.
@johnpray9049
One of my favorite songs!! Praise JESUS!!!
@emilywright3583
This is one of my favorite songs!
@thechristianplace
You are the Ocean! Beautiful song. God bless you! I wait new songs!!!
@8jcm4
"We are summoned to pass in through Nature, beyond her, into that splendour which she fitfully reflects" -C.S. Lewis, 'The Weight of Glory'