Nichole Nordeman was raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she played the piano in church. She got her start when she entered a Gospel Music Association (GMA) contest in Los Angeles, California and was noticed by a music producer. She has won multiple GMA Dove Awards, including two awards for Female Vocalist of the Year. Her best-known songs include "Why," "This Mystery," "Holy", "Legacy," "Brave," and "What If." She also sang a song on the soundtrack Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia, called "I Will Believe"
River God
Nichole Nordeman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Little Stones are smooth
Only once the water passes through
So I am a stone
Rough and grainy still
Trying to reconcile this river's chill
[Chorus]
And feel you rushing by
I know that time brings change
And change takes time
And when the sunset comes
My prayer would be this one
That you might pick me up
And notice that I am
Just a little smoother in your hand
Sometimes raging wild
Sometimes swollen high
Never have I known this river dry
The deepest part of you
Is where I want to stay
And feel the sharpest edges wash away
[Chorus]
And when I close my eyes
And feel you rushing by
I know that time brings change
And change takes time
And when the sunset comes
My prayer would be just this one
That you might pick me up
And notice that I am
Just a little smoother in your hand
In Nichole Nordeman's song "River God," the singer uses a metaphorical comparison between herself and a river stone to convey a message of personal growth and spiritual transformation. The "Rolling River God" symbolizes the passage of time and the transformative power of God's love, while the "Little Stones" represent the various experiences and trials that the singer has faced in her life. The singer acknowledges that she is still a "Rough and grainy" stone but desires to be transformed by the love of God so that she may become a little smoother.
In the chorus, the singer prays for God to pick her up and notice the changes that have occurred in her, reflecting her growth and the transformation that his love has brought to her life. The metaphor of the river stone reinforces the idea that change takes time and that transformation is an ongoing journey. The singer desires to stay in the deepest part of God's love and let his love wash away her sharpest edges, allowing her to become smoother and more refined.
Overall, "River God" is a song about personal growth, spiritual transformation, and the ongoing journey of self-discovery. It is a reminder that change takes time and that the love of God is transformative, helping to smooth away our rough edges and make us better people.
Line by Line Meaning
Rolling River God
Addressing God as the river that keeps flowing
Little Stones are smooth
The stones that have passed through the river become smoother
Only once the water passes through
The stones become smoother only after they have been through the river
So I am a stone
Comparing herself to a stone in the river
Rough and grainy still
She is still struggling with imperfections
Trying to reconcile this river's chill
Trying to come to terms with the challenges that the river brings
But when I close my eyes
In her moments of reflection
And feel you rushing by
Feeling God's presence in the flow of the river
I know that time brings change
Believing that time will make her better
And change takes time
Changes don't happen overnight
And when the sunset comes
At the end of the day
My prayer would be this one
Her one desire
That you might pick me up
That God would take notice of her
And notice that I am
Recognizing her imperfections
Just a little smoother in your hand
Hoping that she has improved and become more polished
Sometimes raging wild
The river can be turbulent
Sometimes swollen high
The river can overflow
Never have I known this river dry
The river never dries up
The deepest part of you
The most important aspect of God
Is where I want to stay
She wants to stay close to God
And feel the sharpest edges wash away
She wants to be cleansed of her rough edges
And when the sunset comes
At the end of the day
My prayer would be just this one
Her one desire
That you might pick me up
That God would take notice of her
And notice that I am
Recognizing her imperfections
Just a little smoother in your hand
Hoping that she has improved and become more polished
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: JOYCE, NORDEMAN, TOMALTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joey Brown
Today I heard this song for the first time at the center for spiritual living in Reno, Nv. It was done by Michael Gott. I havent been that moved at any time I can remember. Sometimes the right song, person or thing comes along when you most need it in your life. Makes one realize just how significant we all really are. JB
R. Fleming
This is my favorite song. It speaks to me. It is my prayer song. Being a rough and rowdy sort of person from childhood, it helps me pray to quiet my spirit, it helps me quiet so I can maybe be a little more sensitive to the people God puts in my path. Thank you. So glad God put these words in your heart to share.
Michelle beebe lewis frith
I hope this finds you well. God speed we are almost there 🙏. HUGS
Am I Not Merciful
I saw Nicole perform this at First Baptist Church of Raytown in Missouri. It was just before Avalon came out. I was still crying while Avalon sang their first number. Stunning, moving, deep and beautiful. Good Lord!
Soyini
Poetic wisdom.♥️✝️🕊️
TAMMY MCQUILLAN
"Spirit, water and blood". Thank you. Your voice is beautiful and so are your words.
Thank you,
Tammy
Blake Elliott
I’ve honestly never heard a more beautiful or powerful song in my entire life.
Merpuccino
What a lovely song and you did a great video to match it! :3
Rick Wise
hers was my first Christian c.d. I bought after I accepted Christ.
beautiful treasure......... absolutely stunning voice.
Kaylen Luv
i herd this at youth and cried and still do!