The wolves outside are hunting and the dark of night is full,
And in my heart a wild fear that I cannot control.
I’m helpless get out, I feel I’m drowning all alone,
Yet in my great distress I pray, and there He bears my soul.
This house was left abandoned, I sleep curled up on the floor,
My mind caves in with sorrows till I can’t breathe anymore.
I see no hope tomorrow, the joy of life is cold,
By fingertips I hang from faith and there He bears my soul.
My Lord shall never cease to stand with blood to intercede,
His Spirit groans in patient love and ceaseless prays for me.
He knows my way of thinking, my inner man he wove.
See, I can’t explain, I can’t deny cause yet somehow I know,
Yeah, he bears my soul.
I call but there’s no answer and my straining voice grows weak.
I’m sick of the hypocrisy of those who claim belief.
This sparrow seems forgotten,
My match is burning low,
In doubt and dissolution even there He bears my soul.
My Lord shall never cease to stand with blood to intercede,
His Spirit groans in patient love and ceaseless prays for me.
He knows my way of thinking, my inner man he wove.
See, I can’t explain, I can’t deny cause yet somehow I know,
Yeah, he bears my soul.
I stumble through the woods just like a fugitive I roam.
I distrust all directions of what’s right except my own.
I’ve given up at godliness,
I break each contrite oath,
I spit and stray and fail again and there He bears my soul.
My Lord shall never cease to stand with blood to intercede,
His Spirit groans in patient love and ceaseless prays for me.
He knows my way of thinking, my inner man he wove.
See, I can’t explain, I can’t deny cause yet somehow I know,
Yeah, he bears my soul.
credits
from Redeemer 2015,
released June 26, 2016
Nathan Partain, 2014
supported by 5 fans who also own “He Bears My Soul”
For nearly two decades, ranging from Seattle to Indianapolis—and many places in between—Nathan has offered and honed his songwriting to and for the church. This album carries a maturity and depth only possible after years creating, playing and serving among God’s people.
Throughout these eleven tracks there’s a lushness that is, at times, so layered you forget the challenge or, in turns, deep lyrical comfort at hand. This demonstrates the alchemy Nathan has mastered: seasoned spiritual and biblical reflection offered with honey straight from the comb. For a record to accomplish this, especially in the crowded and odd world of “modern worship”, is no small thing.
If you listen to A Lovely Wait immediately after Nathan’s preceding work, one of the first things you’ll notice is how sonically restrained it is. The holy rock-n-roll swagger and vocal abandon of Jaywalker (think “Love is a Gift”) is almost entirely shelved in favor of hushed keys, heartbeat-like percussive textures and delicate melodies. Taken as a pair, these records prove music crafted in and for the church can and, indeed, should possess a dynamic emotional and musical range. Luke Morton
A gorgeous journey through a kaleidoscopic array of sonic approaches melted together that feels old and new at the same time. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 5, 2024
Introspective pop songs with transcendent melodies offer a joyful meditation on staying present in a world that often moves too fast. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 16, 2023