Show Me Your Face

Paul Wilbur's song "Show Me Your Face" is a heartfelt plea for a deeper, more intimate connection with the divine. The lyrics draw heavily from biblical narratives, invoking the stories of Moses and David to illustrate the longing for God's presence. Moses, who stood on the mountain waiting for God to pass by, represents the human desire to witness divine glory. The song references the moment when God covered Moses' face with His hand to protect him from the overwhelming power of His presence. This imagery underscores the awe and reverence associated with encountering God, a theme that resonates throughout the song.

The chorus, with its repeated request to "Show me Your face, Lord," emphasizes the yearning for a personal revelation of God's power and grace. The line "Then gird up my legs that I might stand in this holy place" suggests that seeing God's face would provide the strength and fortitude needed to endure life's challenges. This plea is not just for a fleeting glimpse but for a transformative experience that would enable the believer to persevere to the end.

The song also references David, who recognized that there was something more profound than the physical symbol of God's presence, the Ark of the Covenant. The mention of the baby born in a manger, a clear reference to Jesus, ties the Old Testament longing for God's presence to the New Testament fulfillment of that desire. By connecting these biblical figures and events, Wilbur highlights the continuity of God's glory and the enduring call for believers to seek His face. The song is a powerful reminder of the timeless and universal quest for a deeper relationship with the divine, one that transcends time and place.