Even as the world began,
The stars they sang,
And all the angels shouted for joy, shouted for joy.
And looking back through history
Your people they have always had
A song they must sing, a song they must sing.

We are the people of God
We´ll sing Your song here on the earth.

All over the world Your song will resound,
All over the world Your praises ring out.
We´re living to see Your name and renown
All over the world.

Young and old, near and far
There´s a place for every heart
To join in Your song, join in Your song.
Every nation, tribe and tongue,
Come together, join as one;
Give glory to God, glory to God.
We are the people of God,
We´ll sing Your song here on the earth.

Great is Your name and great will be Your song
Great is Your name and great will be Your song
We lift up our hands and pray,
Lift up our hands and pray,
For holy is Your name.

Matt Redman and Martin Smith ©2006 Thankyou Music (administered worldwide by EMI CMG Publishing, excluding the UK which is administered by Kingswaysongs.com)

Behind the Song:
Bible reference: Isaiah 26:8, Job 38:7, Revelation 7:9

'This is the other song on the album which I wrote with Martin Smith. The verse idea for popped into my head early one morning on a plane back to London, from Glasgow. We had got up about 4am that day to make it home in time for church, and I was drifting in and out of sleep, in a bit of a daze. So I´m not actually sure if I wrote the song while I was awake or while I was asleep!

The verse talk about the enduring song of praise which rises continually before God. In the book of Job we´re told of the morning stars singing, and the angels shouting for joy, even before the world was made. Taking it to the other end of the story, there will be eternal praise, from every tribe and tongue rising before the throne of God one day. These ideas formed the essence of the verses.

I was struggling for a chorus, and decided to drive to see Martin, who lives about 30 mins away. He helped me hone the verses, and settle on a more anthemic tune for the chorus. We still lacked a few words, but with the Passion college conference coming up I decided I wanted to wrap the chorus lyrics around that movement´s defining verse, Isaiah 26:8, all about the name and renown of God.' - Matt Redman