(footnotes *)
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Amy Grant - El Shaddai
In 1981, when Amy Grant was still in her early 20's, she released an album called Age To Age that had a number of excellent songs on it....but one song seemed to stand out and resonate with many people.
Her beautiful version of the song El Shaddai, was written by Michael Card and John Thompson, and incorporated direct quotes from scripture in the original Hebrew language.
Hebrew Translations
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Public Domain Photo: Christ the Redeemer Statue
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
"El Shaddai is most often translated as "God Almighty (אל שׁדי)"...and about half the lyrics in the chorus are also in Hebrew.
El-Elyon na Adonai is a combination of two names for God, meaning "God Most High (אלעליון), O Lord (אדני)" (na (נא) translated by some as an earnest or humble request.
Erkamka na Adonai is taken from Psalm 18:1 (except for the "na," which is added) and is normally translated "I love you (ארחמך), O Lord."
The Songs Popularity
"The song was a hit single for Grant, reaching the top of the Billboard Christian chart. It won 'Song of the Year' and Michael Card won 'Songwriter of the Year' at the 1983 GMA Dove Awards.
In 2001, it was also named one of the 'Songs of the Century" by the The Recording Industry Association of America.
This version of Grant's El Shaddai is primarily performed on piano, with harp and string accompaniment. Drums do not appear in it until the climactic third chorus."The Songs Popularity
"The song was a hit single for Grant, reaching the top of the Billboard Christian chart. It won 'Song of the Year' and Michael Card won 'Songwriter of the Year' at the 1983 GMA Dove Awards.
In 2001, it was also named one of the 'Songs of the Century" by the The Recording Industry Association of America.
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Most importantly, at the time it was released the Christian recording industry seemed less of a business and more of a ministry...and this worshipful song held a deep meaning and spoke to many people...and its gentle testimony to Jesus as Lord was unmistakable.
Though it has been many years since its release, it's still speaking to many people...and whether it is familiar to you...or new to your ears...may its truth find its way to your heart today.
El Shaddai - Lyrics and Meanings
Chorus:
El-Shaddai, El-Shaddai,
(meaning "God Almighty, God Almighty")
El-Elyon na Adonai,
(meaning "God in the highest, Oh, Lord")
Age to age, You're still the same,
By the power of the name,
El-Shaddai, El-Shaddai,
Erkamka na Adonai,
(meaning "We will love You, Oh, Lord")
We will praise and lift You high,
El-Shaddai,
Through Your love
And through the ram,
You saved the son
Of Abraham,
Through the power
Of Your hand,
Turned the sea
Into dry land,
To the outcast
On her knees,
You were the God
Who really sees.
And by Your might,
You set Your children free,
Chorus
Through the years,
You made it clear,
That the time of Christ
Was near,
Though the people
Couldn't see,
What Messiah ought to be,
Though Your Word
Contained the plan,
They just could not understand,
Your most awesome work was done,
Though the frailty of Your son,
Chorus
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* The information in this post is found on or directly quoted from 2 wikipedia entries:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Shaddai_(song)
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Grant
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