“Because of Jesus” by Charity Gayle.
My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.
Psalm 71:15-16 ESV
Growing up in my church back home, there were times we would have testimony service and people would stand up and share what God had done for them that week. We would all celebrate and rejoice for the goodness of God and every now and then someone would proclaim “but God!” Because if it hadn’t been for the Lord, they would still be in the darkness of their situation. “Because of Jesus” is our proclamation of His goodness and faithfulness. It feels like the encouragement and joy we would experience during testimony service. You can’t help but praise God for all He has done for us when you tell others of His mercies!
And no matter what we are walking through, I know that because of Jesus, walking through anything with Him is so much better than it would be without Him.
The first verse of the song, written by my husband Ryan, is one of my favorite verses on the entire album: “You made a covenant with me, signed by the blood that still speaks.” When I think about that, I’m reminded of how the blood of Jesus still works. It’s still covering us. It’s still redeeming us.
The chorus says “Now my heart cries, this is my redeemer.” If my heart would cry out anything, I would want it to cry out – Jesus, you’re my redeemer. Jesus, because of you I’m made free.
Lyrics
VERSE 1
You made a covenant with me
Signed by the blood that still speaks
Now I’m forgiven, I’m called righteous
I’m made clean
VERSE 2
There on the cross at Calvary
You gave it all to purchase me
You are the Savior and the God Who set me free
CHORUS
Now my heart cries “This is my Redeemer”
With my whole life I will give You praise
All the glory to the One Who’s worthy
Because of Jesus, I have been changed
VERSE 3
You made a way for me to enter
Into Your holy place forever
And now I’m hidden, I am covered, I found peace
VERSE 4
Into your likeness You transform me
Making me holy, like You’re holy
No longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me
CHORUS
Now my heart cries “This is my Redeemer”
With my whole life I will give You praise
All the glory to the One Who’s worthy
Because of Jesus, I have been changed
BRIDGE
You bring freedom to the captives
Good news to the poor
Healing to the broken
And joy to those who mourn
You turn ashes into beauty
The ruins You restore
I am a testimony
Of the goodness of the Lord
BRIDGE
You bring freedom to the captives
Good news to the poor
Healing to the broken
Joy to those who mourn
You turn ashes into beauty
The ruins You restore
I am a testimony
Of the goodness of the Lord
CHORUS
Now my heart cries “This is my Redeemer”
With my whole life I will give You praise
All the glory to the One Who’s worthy
Because of Jesus, I have been changed
Because of Jesus, I have been changed
Because of Jesus, I have been changed
Video
Charity Gayle – Because of Jesus (Live)
