Rebecca was born in Sydney, Australia, to David and Helen Smallbone. She is the oldest of seven children, and currently lives in Los Angeles with Jacob. Rebecca took the name St. James from her grandmother, as it was her maiden name. Her album ‘’God’’ was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1995. Also, ‘’Pray ‘’ was certified Gold by the RIAA on the last week of September 1999.
Rebecca's musical career began in 1990 at age 13 when she began opening shows for CCM (Christian Contemporary Music) artist Carman during his Australian tour which was promoted by her father's company, David Smallbone Promotions. That same year she recorded her first album, Refresh My Heart. In 1991 she moved to the United States upon signing with ForeFront Records, and took her stage name at the label's request.
In 1999 Rebecca received a Grammy Award for her album ''Pray'' in the Best Rock Gospel Album category. Rebecca is the eighth Australian artist or group to win a Grammy Award.
In 2003 she played the part of Maggie (Mary Magdalene) in the !HERO rock opera.
Rebecca is an open supporter of teenage sexual abstinence, and has become an unofficial spokesperson for True Love Waits. The single "Wait for Me", from her 2000 album Transform, encourages waiting to have sex until after marriage. Later that year it also became the title and focus of a 46-city tour. James wrote the song herself on a tour bus, and it became instantly popular. The song was also used on the TV program The O.C. Rebecca's first book, titled Wait for Me: Rediscovering the Joy of Purity in Romance, was published in 2002 and further addressed the issue.
In November of 2005, Rebecca released her highly anticipated album If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something. After not putting out a new pop/rock album since 2000, this album combines Rebecca's overall versatility in vocal and song writing to the finest degree.
Rebecca sang a song on the 2005 soundtrack, Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia called "Lion" for which she won a Dove Award.
A Special Edition of If I Had One Chance To Tell You Something was released in November 2006 and included two acoustic tracks and other special features.
In 2007. Rebecca released her live CD\DVD aLIVE In Florida featuring some of her No. 1 hits as well as fan favorites.
In 2008, two compilation albums, The Ultimate Collection (Double Disc) and Greatest Hits featuring some of her biggest hits were released. The same year she also released a new book called Pure: A 90-Day Devotional for the Mind, Body, & Spirit which broke into Top 10 at #9 on the CBA bestseller's list in Feb 2009. Pure is also nominated among the Top 3 books of 2009 for the youth/teen market.
The September 09' release of Loved, (Hachette/Faithwords) and the fall national film release of Sarah’s Choice capped 2009 as one of Rebecca’s most creatively diverse years.
Better Is One Day
Rebecca St. James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, Lord Almighty
For my soul longs and even faints for You
For here my heart is satisfied
Within Your presence
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
One thing I ask and I would seek
To see Your beauty
To find You in the place Your glory dwells
One thing I ask and I would seek
To see Your beauty
To find You in the place Your glory dwells
My heart and flesh cry out
For You, the living God
Your Spirit's water to my soul
I've tasted and I've seen
Come once again to me
I will draw near to You
I will draw near to You
The opening lines of Rebecca St. James’ worship song, “Better Is One Day,” introduce a longing and adoration for God’s dwelling place. It speaks of a deep yearning for closeness and intimacy within God’s presence, using the image of resting beneath the shadow of His wings. The lyrics communicate that in being in the presence of the Lord, our hearts can be satisfied and our souls can be quenched.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance and superiority of being in the courts of the Lord. It speaks of how better it is to spend just one day in God’s courts than to spend thousands elsewhere. This is a powerful statement that honors the value of seeking God’s presence above all else.
The second verse of the song focuses on the desire to see God’s beauty and glory. It expresses a deep longing to experience the glory of the Lord and to be close to Him. The lyrics speak of how the presence of God can satisfy our human desires and fulfill our deepest longings. The final verse of the song expresses a deep thirst for God and an acknowledgment of His goodness, likening the Lord to a source of living water that gives us spiritual nourishment.
Overall, “Better Is One Day” beautifully communicates an intense longing for closeness with God and a desire to experience His presence. The song emphasizes that being in the presence of the Lord is the most valuable and satisfying experience a person can have.
Line by Line Meaning
How lovely is your dwelling place
The singer is filled with awe and admiration for the place where God dwells.
Oh, Lord Almighty
The singer addresses God in this song and acknowledges His sovereignty and power.
For my soul longs and even faints for You
The singer's soul has an intense desire for God and becomes weak from longing for Him.
For here my heart is satisfied
While in God's presence, the artist's heart is content and fulfilled.
Within Your presence
The artist finds fulfillment and contentment while in the presence of God.
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings
The singer is metaphorically hiding under God's wing and praises Him while in His protection.
Better is one day in Your courts
One day spent in God's courts is preferable to any other length of time spent elsewhere.
Better is one day in Your house
Being in God's house is better than being anywhere else for any amount of time.
Than thousands elsewhere
No matter how much time is spent elsewhere, it can never compare to even one day spent in God's courts/house.
One thing I ask and I would seek
The artist is expressing that they have only one desire and goal that they are actively seeking.
To see Your beauty
The singer wants to visually experience God's beauty.
To find You in the place Your glory dwells
The artist desires to find and experience God in the particular place where His glory resides.
My heart and flesh cry out
The singer's entire being is filled with the longing to be near God.
For You, the living God
The singer acknowledges God's existence and emphasizes Him being living.
Your Spirit's water to my soul
The singer considers God's Spirit to be nourishment for their soul, like water is to the body.
I've tasted and I've seen
The artist has experienced and partaken in God's goodness first-hand.
Come once again to me
The artist is asking God to make His presence known to them once more.
I will draw near to You
The singer is committing themselves to getting closer to God and seeking His presence.
I will draw near to You
The singer is reiterating their determination to approach God and be in His presence.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: John Rzeznik
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind