Video Discription |
Written by Marty Goetz and Andrea Hunter and Inspired by Moses conversation with YHWH in Exodus 33, this song echoes the heart of every worshiper: to know God, see, experience and encounter Him. "Show Me (I Pray Thee) Thy Glory" draws from Exodus passages after Moses has destroyed the Law written by the finger of YHWH (on "tablets of sapphire" according to Jewish tradition). He hadn't thought this was going to be easy, but wild idolatry after God's deliverance was too much. It's interesting that the second set of tablets were chiseled by Moses (with God's assistance and direction).
So many of us desire to know God in the midst of the wilderness and on our way to the promise He has given. We are overwhelmed with responsibilities to and for people. We need assurance. We need to see His Glory. He's given us cloud by day, fire by night, delivered us from our enemies, split the Red Sea, and still we need reassurance. We need "more"! So we ask, "Show me (I pray Thee) Thy Glory." Because truly we can't go on "if he is not with us."
We released the song on Shavuot, when the Torah was given at Sinai. God's LIVING and written WORD shimmers and exudes His GLORY. His many perfections and expressions are pervasive, endless, and omnipresent. He humbly shares His glory with His image-bearers: "What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor (Ps 8:4-5).
The song was originally written in the mid-'80s for an album "Revelation of Glory," that was never recorded. Then it was sung by Jeremy Riddle for his CD collaboration for Recon Records, "Beautiful Jesus," in 2002, but never released. Then Marty Goetz who collaborated on the original version wrote new lyrics and altered melody for the verses, but kept original chorus releasing it on The "Hope of Glory" album. Finally, John Andrew Schreiner, the creative force behind "The Ode's Project," took Jeremy's version and added his spare and nuanced piano echoing the simplicity, quiet...and desperation of the original. And added the warmth and reflective richness of a cello. Be sure and listen to Marty's version of it as well. It is so beautiful.
For context it's best to read all of Exodus, or at least all of chapter 33, but here are chapters 11-22. Though Moses was meek, he was bold in his conversations with YHWH. Relentless in His desire to know HIM.
11 And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.
12 And Moses said unto the Lord, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.
13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.
14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
15 And Moses said unto the Lord, “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.”
16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.
17 And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.
18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory…
19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
21 And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:
22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by…
Thanks to Joanne Yoshida for her Hebrew expertise and supplying the lettering for the cover and for being a design consultant. And also, rightly, insisting the Scripture needs to accompany the song--so you see the key verses above. Thanks to John Schreiner for his artistry and generosity, and Marty Goetz for being my friend and lending his beautiful melodic and lyrical gifts to music we make together. Thanks to Jeremy Riddle for His evocative and honest performance and his passion for God and worship.
"Show Me (I Pray Thee) Thy Glory" Copyright 1987 Life Unto Life Music (ASCAP) &
Singin' In the Reign Music (ASCAP) j20rPFRBp84 |