As of 2006, she has released nineteen albums. Thirty-two of her singles have reached the Number 1 position on Christian radio national airplay charts. These include "He Is Exalted", "God Is In Control", "We Bow Down" and "The Warrior Is A Child". She has received five GMA Dove Awards, and three American Songwriter Awards.
Some of Paris' songs have been included in the hymnals by a variety of churches including the United Methodist church and various Charismatic churches. In recent years, Paris has focused on recording new versions of some of her worship standards and writing new praise and worship music in contrast to contemporary Christian pop songs that she released the latter 1990s.
Her uncle, Loren Cunningham is the founder of Youth With A Mission, while her family started Ecclesia College in Elm Springs, Arkansas, where her brother Oren Paris III is president and father Oren Paris II is chancellor. Paris herself studied theology and sacred music, though she has claimed to have placed little emphasis in her formal studies on composition or songwriting. Beyond songwriting, she is the author of four books, three of which focus on contemporary Christian theology.
She and her husband Jack Wright have one child, Jack Paris Wright, born April 29, 2001.
Although widely associated for much of her career with Star Song Records, EMI switched her over to the Sparrow label in 1996, before her contract ended after 2003. In 2005, she switched to Michael Coleman's INO label.
Sweet Victory
Twila Paris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold me in the stillness till I see Your face
Waiting in the silence as You speak my name
Rising like an eagle I will fly
Chorus
Sweet Victory over the enemy
Gentle Power, all I ever needed
Sweet Victory, I take it finally
It was a long time coming
Sweet Victory
In this place I rest in more than I can see
High above the turbulence You carry me
From deep in a full heart I will speak Your name
Rising like an eagle I will fly
Chorus
I held so tightly to my fear
There were so many sins repeated
But Your love has brought me here
And the Victory is sweet
Victory is sweet
Chorus
The opening lines of the song "Quietly you lead me to an open place, Hold me in the stillness till I see Your face, Waiting in the silence as You speak my name" speaks about being led by God to a place of openness and stillness where one can be free and connect with the divine. Through this process of silence and stillness, the singer is able to see the face of God and be touched by His loving presence. The lyrics suggest an internal conflict that has been going on within the singer’s soul, and how the stillness of the divine presence brings clarity to their minds, enabling them to rise like an eagle and fly.
The chorus, "Sweet Victory over the enemy, Gentle Power, all I ever needed, Sweet Victory, I take it finally, Strength for running, It was a long time coming, Sweet Victory," highlights the theme of victory through the grace of God. The singer speaks of the gentle power of God, which has enabled them to overcome the enemy and achieve victory at last. The sense of relief and joy is palpable as the singer rejoices in the strength and energy that has been bestowed upon them.
In the final verse, the singer reflects on their past fears and sins but acknowledges that in the end, it is God's love that has brought them to this point of victory. The lyrics suggest a sense of forgiveness and the idea that the divine grace has given the singer new hope and strength.
Overall, the song is about finding strength and victory through the grace of God, who leads one from fear and darkness to a place of rest and light.
Line by Line Meaning
Quietly you lead me to an open place
I trust you completely as you guide me towards a new path
Hold me in the stillness till I see Your face
Stay with me until I am calm enough to realize your presence in my life
Waiting in the silence as You speak my name
I am patient to hear your comforting voice amidst the quietness around us
Rising like an eagle I will fly
With renewed energy and spirit, I will soar high and conquer all challenges
Chorus
Celebrating how my faith in you has brought me the ultimate victory
Sweet Victory over the enemy
I have defeated all negativity and aggression targeted towards me
Gentle Power, all I ever needed
Your compassionate yet firm guidance has always been enough for me
Sweet Victory, I take it finally
Finally, I have claimed the triumph I have been striving for
Strength for running
You have given me the courage and stamina to race through life's obstacles
It was a long time coming
The journey towards this success was arduous, but worth every step
In this place I rest in more than I can see
I am at peace and grateful for the blessings and opportunities beyond my comprehension
High above the turbulence You carry me
Even through chaos and turmoil, you have lifted me up and helped me keep my balance
From deep in a full heart I will speak Your name
I praise you from the depths of my heart with all sincerity
I held so tightly to my fear
Fear consumed me for so long, preventing me from realizing my true potential
There were so many sins repeated
I made many mistakes and repeated them often, but you rescued me from my own flaws
But Your love has brought me here
Your unconditional love led me to this point of achieving success
And the Victory is sweet
I savor this victory that was only possible because of my faith in you
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: TWILA PARIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind