The Story Behind He Who is Mighty

PHR Album art FINAL_Fotor

He Who is Mighty is one of my favorite songs from our Christmas album, Prepare Him Room. Every time I’ve led it, which I’ve done both during and beyond the Christmas season, the response has been immediate and enthusiastic.

I asked Rebecca Elliott, one of the writers, to share a little of the story behind the song, which she co-wrote with Kate DeGraide.

For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. (Luke 1:49)
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. (Isaiah 9:2)

Mary, Jesus’ mother, has always been a hero of mine, and the Magnificat is one of my favorite details of the Christmas story. In the midst of all the amazing and terrifying things God was doing in her life, her response was to sing praise and declare God’s power and faithfulness! Her courage and obedience is convicting and inspiring, and I have frequently thought of her example when asking the Lord for the strength and humility to submit to His leading in my life.

I had also never heard a song based on the Magnificat that moved my heart in the same way that reading the passage did, so when Kate and I sat down to write a Christmas song, Luke 1:46-55 was my first suggestion for a text. In retrospect, it is clear to me how appropriate it was that we were drawing inspiration from Mary’s Song mere weeks after the births of my daughter and Kate’s son. 

I am supremely grateful to have been able to work on this song with my dear friend Kate, who is a fantastic songwriter and editor. We have talked about how humbled and joyful we are to hear others sing this song in worship. It is my hope and prayer that the Lord continues to use it to edify and encourage the church, and inspire the same awe that Mary felt when she sang her song of praise and surrender to God.

Rebecca and Kate sing the song below. You can download all the sheet music at the Sovereign Grace Music website.

9 Responses to The Story Behind He Who is Mighty

  1. Jeremy Smith October 29, 2015 at 11:01 AM #

    Sang this at Worship God UK and loved it. But, wow, this acoustic version is hauntingly beautiful.
    Just awesome.

  2. michael October 29, 2015 at 9:30 PM #

    Amazing song! Any chance you can post a recording of how it sounds when you use it as a corporate song? I remember from Worship God that the feel is a bit different than the recorded version. Thanks!

    • Bob Kauflin October 30, 2015 at 1:09 AM #

      Michael, thanks for asking. We’ll see what we can do.

    • Miller Hogan December 26, 2015 at 6:37 PM #

      Our church, Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood Tennesee performed this song as part of its Christmas concert. Full orchestra and choir. Powerful!!!! The performance is online and the song starts 18 min into the video.

      • Bob Kauflin December 26, 2015 at 11:40 PM #

        Thanks for letting me know, Miller! Glad our songs are serving you and your church!

  3. Chris Smith November 1, 2015 at 6:46 PM #

    Bob, we sang this song last year as a special at our Christmas Communion service – great truths and great melody! When I watched the acoustic version last year I couldn’t get that song out of my head for a week.

  4. Alison November 2, 2015 at 1:02 PM #

    I felt so much joy listening to this beautiful song after the birth of my son last Christmas and thinking of Jesus’ vulnerability as a tiny baby. It’s my favorite song on the album.

  5. alfie November 2, 2015 at 11:18 PM #

    My wife and I were so moved by this song we actually decided to not lead this song last Christmas as we weren’t sure we could actually effectively get through the song during a worship service. We pointed everybody to the album we could and told them they absolutely had to get it. Prepare Him Room has become my favorite Christmas album.

    • Bob Kauflin November 3, 2015 at 12:24 PM #

      That’s so encouraging, Alfie! Thanks for sharing it.

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