Lyrics/Music: Rick Founds
Genre: Praise & Worship
Language: English (translations in Yoruba)
Scripture References: Psalm 9:2, 16:11, 63:4; Luke 2:11; John 3:16, 14:6; Galatians 6:14; Ephesians 2:16; 1 Thessalonians 4:14
Liturgical Functions/Seasons: Baptism, Praises/Adoration, Easter
Themes: Faith, Love of God
“The Author of the Song Rick Founds is a Christian singer-songwriter based in Fallbrook, California. He is best known for writing “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High”. Other titles that he has authored include “I Love Your Grace”, “Jesus, Mighty God”, “I Need You” and “Jesus, Draw Me Close”. Since the 1990s, “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” has been one of the most popular Christian songs and subject of many cover versions and translated into many languages. In the United States Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) reported it as the most popular song used in Christian evangelical churches every year from 1997 to 2003 and since then has remained in the Top 10 list.”(https://www.last.fm/music/Rick+Founds/ accessed 17/11/22).
The song titled “Lord I lift your name on high” is a contemporary song that is generally enjoyed by Nigerian churches during corporate worship. It also engaged for personal worship. It was originally composed in English language, and that is the way many of the churches, especially at southwestern part of Nigeria love to sing it. However, the inspiration that the parishioners deduce from using it during corporate worship, has led to its being translated into various other languages, with Yoruba language in particular, among other tribes. And whenever it is being sung, same inspiration is usually drawn, and lives are blessed with it.
It is a song that could be sung at every season in worship. It is usually engaged to praise and appreciate God for extending his love to humankind, such that made him to die and resurrected on the third day. This is expressed by its emphasis of the significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through it, the atoning work of Christ is mass celebrated. With it, people of God rejoice in God of their salvation, as they commemorate the day of their spiritual birth (John 3:3). However, because of its emphasis on death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Christ Jesus, many churches prefer to sing it, most especially, during Easter celebration.
Lyrics
Lord, I Lift Your name on High
Lord, I love to sing your Praises.
I am so glad you reign in my life,
I am so glad you came to save me…
You came from Heaven to Earth,
To show the way,
From the Earth to the Cross,
My debt to pay,
From the Cross to the Grave,
From the Grave to the Sky,
Lord, I lift your name on high.
Sources:
Paulette Britton, “Fallbrook’s Rick Founds Honored at Gospel Music Awards,” Village News (July 9, 2018), https://www.villagenews.com /story /2018/06/21/entertainment/fallbrooks-rick-founds-honored-at-gospel-music-awards/53337. html Accessed 10/11/22
https://www.last.fm/music/Rick+Founds/ accessed 17/11/22
Contributed by Victoria O. Ayano.
