During his first year of college, Matthew began playing guitar and writing songs. By his senior year, he was performing at various venues, from fraternity houses to churches and youth groups.
Only a week after graduating and making the move to Nashville, he signed an exclusive songwriting deal. His songs have been recorded by various artists, including Rachel Lampa’s most recent single, “Savior Song,” which marked Matthew’s first top-5 song as a writer. Other highlights include having songs placed on the platinum-selling WoW 2002 project and his song “Heart of Every Man” recorded for the World Youth Day 2000 official soundtrack.
Matthew continued pursuing his dream of singing his own songs. He had the opportunity to travel to universities across the country, quickly building up a steady following. With the help of Word Music and Extreme Writers Group, Matthew recorded an independent CD called Sellout, which caught the attention of Universal South Records
After signing with major-label Universal South, Matthew West released several albums. Happy (2003) included the hit single "More," followed by History (2005), featuring singles like "Only Grace" and "History." His album Something to Say (2008) contained the chart-topping hits "You Are Everything" and "The Motions" (which went on to be certified Platinum by RIAA).
In September 2012, Into the Light was released. Three years later, Live Forever (2015) became another landmark album, reaching number one on the Billboard Christian Albums Chart and number 51 on the Top 200. All In (2017), West’s seventh studio album, featured the single "Broken Things," earning him the Songwriter of the Year award at the 2018 Dove Awards.
In 2020, West delivered his eighth outing, Brand New, launching his own imprint, Story House Music. In February 2023, he released the expansive double album My Story Your Glory, featuring collaborations with artists like David Leonard and Jenn Johnson. The hit single "Me on Your Mind" stood out. Early the next year, his 2024 single "Don’t Stop Praying" climbed to number 22 on Billboard’s Hot Digital Songs chart.
Matthew West has become a highly acclaimed Christian artist, receiving numerous awards and nominations. His achievements include being a five-time GRAMMY® nominee, NSAI’s 2022 Songwriter-Artist of the Year, ASCAP’s 2023 Golden Note Award recipient, and a multiple ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year winner. Additionally, he has been honored with an American Music Award, a Billboard Music Award, and GMA Dove Awards. West also received a Primetime Emmy® Award nomination for Original Music & Lyrics for the title track of the feature film The Heart of Christmas.
Beyond music, Matthew West has authored six books, including Give This Christmas Away, The Story Of Your Life, Forgiveness, Today Is Day One, and his latest works, Hello, My Name Is and The God Who Stays. Two more books are slated for release in 2024.
Amen
Matthew West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey, hey, preacher man
Do you mind if I borrow that mic? (Uh-huh!)
You′ve been talkin' ′bout how everybody got a story
Well, here is mine
I was so lost, I was so lost
But now I'm found (yeah, yeah)
Hey, hey, preacher man
Let's take a walk down by the river (c′mon)
Let the holy water wash over me
′Cause now that I've been delivered
I want the whole world
To know that I′m a new man now (ooh)
And it's only by God′s grace
I'm standin′ here today
If you're feelin' what I′m feelin′
Let me hear you say, "Amen"
If you're a new creation, amen
If you got that feel good in your soul
That hope they won′t let go
If you're feelin′ what I'm feelin′
Let me hear you say, "Amen"
Every time I look back over my shoulder
I can see the life He saved me from
Every time I look back over my shoulder
I can see the life He saved me from
Thank God!
Hey Church, now you seeThis little light of mine
Well, my question is a simple one (who's next?)
Come, get in line
I'm talkin′ one by-
I′m talkin' one by one by one (gonna testify)
That it′s only by God's grace
We′re standin' here today
If you′re feelin' what I'm feelin′
Let me hear you say, "Amen"
If you′re a new creation, amen
If you got that feel good in your soul
That hope they won't let go
If you′re feelin' what I′m feelin'
Let me hear you say amen
Every time I look back over my shoulder
I can see the life, I can see the life
He saved me, He saved me from
Every time I look back over my shoulder
I can see the life He saved me from
Every time I look back over my shoulder
I can see the life, I can see the life
He saved me, He saved me from
Every time I look back over my shoulder
I can see the life He saved me from
Thank God!
If you′re feelin' what I'm feelin"
Let me hear you say, "Amen"
If you′re a new creation, amen
If you got that feel good in your soul
That hope they won′t let go
If you're feelin′ what I'm feelin′
Let me hear you say, "Amen", amen
If you're a new creation, amen
If you got that feel good in your soul
That hope they won′t let go
If you're feelin' what I′m feelin′
Let me hear you say, "Amen"
Every time I look back over my shoulder
I can see the life He saved me from
Every time I look back over my shoulder
I can see the life He saved me from
Thank God!
The song "Amen" by Matthew West is a powerful anthem of gratitude and praise for the transformative power of God's grace and salvation. Throughout the song, the singer, possibly a newly converted believer, expresses his gratitude for being found and delivered by God. The song begins with the singer addressing a preacher, asking to borrow his microphone, symbolizing a desire to share his own testimony and story. He acknowledges that he was once lost, but now he has been found.
The singer then suggests taking a walk by the river, a symbolic act of baptism and purification through the holy water. By being delivered, he wants the whole world to know that he has become a new person. The reference to God's grace emphasizes that his newfound faith and transformation are solely a result of God's undeserved favor. The chorus serves as an invitation for others to express their own faith and testimony, as the singer calls for others to join him in saying "Amen" to acknowledge their shared experience of God's grace.
The song continues with reflections on the past and the gratitude for the life that God has saved the singer from. Looking over his shoulder, he can see the life he was saved from, acknowledging the darkness and sin that once defined his existence. This serves as a reminder of the redemptive power of God's grace, giving him hope and gratitude.
In the bridge, the singer addresses the church, calling for others to join in sharing their own testimonies. The metaphor of a "little light" refers to each individual's faith and the impact it can have on others. He invites others to come forward and get in line, one by one, to testify and share their own experiences of God's saving grace. The song ends with a final chorus, repeating the call for others to say "Amen" and affirm their faith and gratitude for the transformations they have experienced through God's love.
In summary, "Amen" is a song that celebrates the power of God's grace and salvation. It expresses gratitude for being found and delivered by God, and invites others to join in sharing their own testimonies. The song emphasizes the transformation and hope that comes from a relationship with God, and serves as a reminder to continually look back and be grateful for the life that God has saved us from.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, hey, preacher man
Addressing the preacher with enthusiasm and respect
Do you mind if I borrow that mic? (Uh-huh!)
Politely asking permission to use the microphone for a moment
You've been talkin' ′bout how everybody got a story
Acknowledging the preacher's message about the importance of personal stories
Well, here is mine
Presenting one's own story to be shared
I was so lost, I was so lost
Admitting to being in a state of confusion and despair
But now I'm found (yeah, yeah)
Expressing the experience of being saved and discovering purpose
Let's take a walk down by the river (c′mon)
Suggesting a symbolic walk towards spiritual cleansing
Let the holy water wash over me
Desiring a cleansing and renewed spiritual experience
′Cause now that I've been delivered
Acknowledging personal deliverance from past struggles
I want the whole world
Having a desire to share the newfound faith with the world
To know that I′m a new man now (ooh)
Expressing the transformation and renewal of identity
And it's only by God′s grace
Recognizing that salvation and transformation are gifts from God
I'm standin′ here today
Appreciating the present moment of standing in faith
If you're feelin' what I′m feelin′
Inviting others to connect with and understand the emotions being expressed
Let me hear you say, "Amen"
Encouraging others to affirm and vocalize their agreement with the message
If you're a new creation, amen
Celebrating the transformation and rebirth experienced through faith
If you got that feel good in your soul
Referring to the profound sense of joy and peace within
That hope they won′t let go
Describing a hope that remains steadfast and unwavering
Every time I look back over my shoulder
Reflecting on past experiences and the journey of faith
I can see the life He saved me from
Recognizing the grace of God in rescuing from a destructive lifestyle
Thank God!
Expressing gratitude towards God for the transformative rescue
Hey Church, now you see
Addressing the congregation to share a message
This little light of mine
Referring to the faith and its impact on one's life
Well, my question is a simple one (who's next?)
Posing a straightforward question about who will step forward next
Come, get in line
Encouraging others to join in and share their stories
I'm talkin′ one by-
Emphasizing the importance of each individual storytelling
I′m talkin' one by one by one (gonna testify)
Declaring a commitment to hearing and sharing individual testimonies
That it′s only by God's grace
Reiterating that salvation and transformation are solely due to God's grace
We′re standin' here today
Recognizing the united standing of the congregation through shared faith
If you′re feelin' what I'm feelin′
Extending the invitation to connect emotionally and spiritually
Let me hear you say, "Amen"
Encouraging the congregation to respond with affirmation and agreement
Every time I look back over my shoulder
Reflecting on personal experiences and the faith journey
I can see the life, I can see the life
Perceiving the contrast between past and present life
He saved me, He saved from
Acknowledging God's saving grace and intervention in life
Thank God!
Expressing deep gratitude towards God once again
If you're feelin' what I'm feelin'
Inviting others to empathize and connect with the emotions expressed
Let me hear you say, "Amen", amen
Encouraging an enthusiastic response of agreement and affirmation
If you're a new creation, amen
Affirming the transformation and rebirth experienced through faith
If you got that feel good in your soul
Referencing the profound sense of happiness and contentment within
That hope they won′t let go
Describing a hope that remains steadfast and unyielding
If you're feelin' what I'm feelin'
Extending the invitation for others to empathize and share the experience
Let me hear you say, "Amen"
Encouraging vocal agreement and affirmation with the expressed emotions
Every time I look back over my shoulder
Reflecting on personal experiences and the journey of faith
I can see the life He saved me from
Recognizing the transformative power of God's saving grace
Thank God!
Overflowing with gratitude towards God for the salvation and rescue
Writer(s): Matthew West, Andrew Pruis
Contributed by Olivia G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@AMGTOficcial
AMEN!! GOD IS GOOD!! I STILL LISTEN TO THIS 6 YEARS LATER
@kylejones1336
I wonder how many people in this comment section actually live for Christ in public and is not of this world. Christ died for us in public, we can not only live for him in private.
@sussiea9221
If we are born in the spirit, trusting in Jesus name. The holy spirit will lead us to people that need to hear the word of God.
Also praying for the lost is also good. 🙏
@sweettea8000
Well said!
@tspitz3
A-A-AMEN IF YOUR A NEW CREATION!!!A-A-AMEN IF YOU GOT THAT FEEL GOOD IN YOUR SOUL!!!THAT HOPE THAT WONT LET GO!!! IF YOUR FEELING WHAT IM FEELING LET ME HEAR TOU SAY A-A-AMEN!! EVERY TIME I LOOK BACK OVER MY SHOULDER I CAN SEE THE LIFE HE SAVED ME FROM THANK GOD!!! AWESOME SONG!!!
@aafkgirl91
I am so grateful that this song popped up in my newsfeed. AMEN
@SamBam12347
👍💪🏻🙏🏻
@CourtneyRowan
LOVE this new song! Its the perfect, "I've Been Saved!!" happy dance!! AMEN!! Just what I needed to hear today... oh how HE knows! <3
@chequitajackson4317
Let The Church Sing Amen by Andrew Crouch
@graciehopkins989
The angels were dancing for you!!!🙏🏼 So proud of you!!!