Borrowed Breath

I often get stymied when I try to express worth to my Jesus.  And I’m a writer with a semi-large vocabulary.  But words just fall short of conveying to my Lord what He means to me.  But there is one word that seems to come the closest.  That word is hallelujah. 

Whether I sing it, or holler it out, it carries with it an almost divine essence, propelling it beyond human language.    Sure, it’s still imperfect.  Yet, hallelujah…hallelujah… 

It’s more than just a word,
Or a song that I once heard,
            It’s a throbbing in my heart,
            From my innermost being,
            A phrase in rhythmic art
            I’m hearing but not seeing,
Sounding out in purest tone,
A melody all its own,
            Soul-searching and heart-freeing. 

Hal-lae, Hal-lae-lae, Hallelujah,
Springing from within my soul.
Hal-lae, Hal-lae-lae, Hallelujah,
A song I can’t contain or hold.  

It’s in the air all around,
Rising in melodic sound,
            The rich harmonious strains
            In divine orchestration,
            Praise the Lamb who was slain,
            Who rose for our salvation.
Because of all He’s done for us,
Our voices must join in chorus
            And jubilant elation. 

Hal-lae, Hal-lae-lae, Hallelujah,
Springing from within my soul.
Hal-lae, Hal-lae-lae, Hallelujah,
A song I can’t contain or hold. 

As my soul hears the song,
My tongue tries to sing along,
            Straining to form in verse
            These sounds my soul can hear,
            A song to rise above the curse
            In sweet notes, pure and clear.
The crescendo builds within my chest,
With joy mere words could not express,
            Joy that finds release in tears.

Hal-lae, Hal-lae-lae, Hallelujah,
Springing from within my soul.
Hal-lae, Hal-lae-lae, Hallelujah,
A song I can’t contain or hold. 

On a soon-coming day,
My spirit will be swept away
            Where I’ll see Jesus face to face
            And lay my crown at His feet.
            I’ll see how much I owe to grace.
            My joy will finally be complete.
With unhindered tongue and throat,
My voice will rise in flawless note,
            Undignified and indiscreet. 

Hal-lae, Hal-lae-lae, Hallelujah,
Springing from within my soul.
Hal-lae, Hal-lae-lae, Hallelujah,
A song I can’t contain or hold.