Card received Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in Religious Studies from Western Kentucky University. His studies in physics and astronomy allowed him to support himself while a student by working for six years at a planetarium. As of 2005, he is working on a Ph.D. in Classical Literature.
Carmen Christi
Michael Card Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would not grasp equality with Him
But made Himself nothing
And took up a servant's nature
Made in human likeness
Found in appearance as man
He humbled Himself, was obedient
Even to death on a cross
At Jesus' name every knee shall bow
In Heaven and in all the earth
To the Father's glory each tongue cried Jesus is Lord
[Repeat]
Jesus is Lord
And so He has been exalted
By God to the highest place
And given a name as exalted
Above every other name
Chorus
The lyrics to Michael Card's song "Carmen Christi" are an ode to the humility and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The song begins by invoking the nature of God, stating that even though He had the power to be equal with God, He chose to take up a servant's nature. The lyrics then describe how Jesus was made in human likeness and appeared as man, remaining humble and obedient even in the face of death on a cross. The chorus speaks of how at Jesus' name, every knee shall bow in Heaven and on Earth, and every tongue will cry out that Jesus is Lord.
The song speaks to the central tenets of Christianity: that Jesus, despite His divine power, chose to humble Himself and become a servant to humanity. It emphasizes the importance of obedience and sacrifice, and the ultimate reward that comes from living a life of humility and devotion to God. It also highlights the power of Jesus' name, which is exalted above every other name and able to inspire awe and worship from all who hear it.
Line by Line Meaning
Who being in vary nature God
Although he was essentially God himself
Would not grasp equality with Him
He did not try to become equal with God
But made Himself nothing
Instead, he took on the form of a mere human being
And took up a servant's nature
In fact, he even chose to serve others
Made in human likeness
Appeared on Earth in human form
Found in appearance as man
He was understood by others to be a human being
He humbled Himself, was obedient
He willingly lowered himself and submitted to God's plan
Even to death on a cross
He even went so far as to die a shameful public execution
Chorus
At Jesus' name every knee shall bow, in Heaven and in all the earth, to the Father's glory each tongue cried Jesus is Lord [Repeat] Jesus is Lord
And so He has been exalted
However, as a result of his humility and obedience to God's will,
By God to the highest place
God has lifted him up to the highest position
And given a name as exalted
God has also granted him an incredibly elevated status
Above every other name
Above all other names and titles
Chorus
At Jesus' name every knee shall bow, in Heaven and in all the earth, to the Father's glory each tongue cried Jesus is Lord [Repeat] Jesus is Lord
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind