El Shaddai (song)
Encyclopedia
"El Shaddai" is a Contemporary Christian music
song. It was written by Michael Card
and John Thompson, using direct quotes from scripture as their inspiration, and recorded by Michael Card on one of his first two albums. However, it is also commonly associated with the singer Amy Grant
, who recorded it on her 1982 platinum album Age to Age
.
The title comes from a Judaic name of God
, usually translated as "God Almighty" (see El Shaddai
). Approximately half the lyrics of the chorus
are in the Hebrew language
, which is rather unusual for a Contemporary Christian song. The recording was in the style of a performance ballad
, but the song was subsequently published in some hymnbooks and is occasionally sung congregationally.
The song was a hit single
for Grant, reaching the top ten of the Billboard Christian chart. "El Shaddai" won "Song of the Year" and Card won "Songwriter of the Year" at the 1983 GMA Dove Awards. It was also named one of the "Songs of the Century
" by the RIAA in 2001.
Before releasing her album Behind the Eyes
in 1997, Grant released a CD single of "Takes a Little Time", which featured a newly-recorded version of the song. Performed in an intimate setting, this version was notable for the solo violin used throughout the recording.This version has never been made available on any album or compilation.
Grant recorded another new version of the song for her 2005 album Rock of Ages...Hymns and Faith
. "El Shaddai" has been cover
ed by many contemporary Christian and gospel
recording artists, including Pat Boone
, Winans Phase 2
and Eden's Bridge
. There also exist translated versions which combine Hebrew with other languages.
Earlier versions included a line "Though the Jews just couldn't see/ What Messiah ought to be" but in more recent versions this has been changed to "Though the people couldn't see/ What Messiah ought to be."
El-Elyon na Adonai is a combination of two names for God, meaning "God Most High (אל עליון), O Lord (אדני)" (na (נא) is a particle of entreaty, sometimes translated "please" but often left untranslated).
Erkamka na Adonai is taken from Psalm 18:1 (except for the "na," which is added) and is normally translated "I love you (ארחמך), O Lord." Psalm 18:1 is the only place that the Hebrew Bible uses this verb for love in the Qal stem; this is normally an Aramaic usage. Hebrew uses this verb in the Piel stem.
For more information on the translation, see Names of God in Judaism
, El Shaddai
, El (god)
, Shaddai
and Elyon
.
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
song. It was written by Michael Card
Michael Card
Michael Card is an American Christian singer-songwriter, musician, author, and radio host from Franklin, Tennessee. He is best known for his contributions in Contemporary Christian Music, which couple folk-style melodies and instrumentation with lyrics that stem from intensive study of the Bible...
and John Thompson, using direct quotes from scripture as their inspiration, and recorded by Michael Card on one of his first two albums. However, it is also commonly associated with the singer Amy Grant
Amy Grant
Amy Lee Grant is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, media personality and actress, best known for her Christian music. She has been referred to as "The Queen of Christian Pop"...
, who recorded it on her 1982 platinum album Age to Age
Age to Age
Age to Age is the sixth album by Christian music singer Amy Grant, released in 1982 on Myrrh Records.Age to Age was Amy Grant's breakthrough album, finally earning her serious recognition within the burgeoning Contemporary Christian music community as it ushered her into stardom, and also...
.
The title comes from a Judaic name of God
Names of God in Judaism
In Judaism, the name of God is more than a distinguishing title; it represents the Jewish conception of the divine nature, and of the relationship of God to the Jewish people and to the world. To demonstrate the sacredness of the names of God, and as a means of showing respect and reverence for...
, usually translated as "God Almighty" (see El Shaddai
El Shaddai
El Shaddai [shah-'dah-yy] is one of the Judaic names of God, with its etymology coming from the influence of the Ugaritic religion on modern Judaism. El Shaddai is conventionally translated as God Almighty...
). Approximately half the lyrics of the chorus
Refrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
are in the Hebrew language
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
, which is rather unusual for a Contemporary Christian song. The recording was in the style of a performance ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
, but the song was subsequently published in some hymnbooks and is occasionally sung congregationally.
The song was a hit single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
for Grant, reaching the top ten of the Billboard Christian chart. "El Shaddai" won "Song of the Year" and Card won "Songwriter of the Year" at the 1983 GMA Dove Awards. It was also named one of the "Songs of the Century
Songs of the Century
The "Songs of the Century" list is part of an education project by the Recording Industry Association of America , the National Endowment for the Arts, and Scholastic Inc. that aims to "promote a better understanding of America’s musical and cultural heritage" in American schools...
" by the RIAA in 2001.
Before releasing her album Behind the Eyes
Behind the Eyes (Amy Grant album)
- Personnel :For the complete list of personnel, click [ here].- Production :* Producers: Keith Thomas, Wayne Kirkpatrick* Engineers: Craig Hansen, Tom Laune, Dan Marnien* Arranger: ???* Design: Greg Ross- Charts :...
in 1997, Grant released a CD single of "Takes a Little Time", which featured a newly-recorded version of the song. Performed in an intimate setting, this version was notable for the solo violin used throughout the recording.This version has never been made available on any album or compilation.
Grant recorded another new version of the song for her 2005 album Rock of Ages...Hymns and Faith
Rock of Ages...Hymns and Faith
Rock of Ages... Hymns and Faith is an album by singer Amy Grant. It is the follow-up to her 2002 release Legacy... Hymns and Faith...
. "El Shaddai" has been cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
ed by many contemporary Christian and gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
recording artists, including Pat Boone
Pat Boone
Charles Eugene "Pat" Boone is an American singer, actor and writer who has been a successful pop singer in the United States during the 1950s and early 1960s. He covered black artists' songs and sold more copies than his black counterparts...
, Winans Phase 2
The Winans
The Winans are an American Gospel music quartet from Detroit, Michigan consisting of brothers Marvin, Carvin, Michael and Ronald Winans.-Members:Please refer to the Winans family page for more detail on the individual members.-Origins:...
and Eden's Bridge
Eden's Bridge
Eden's Bridge is a Christian band whose style covers elements of Celtic folk, pop, and rock.Eden's Bridge came into existence in 1993, born from a number of musical sessions by siblings, Sarah and Richard Lacy...
. There also exist translated versions which combine Hebrew with other languages.
Earlier versions included a line "Though the Jews just couldn't see/ What Messiah ought to be" but in more recent versions this has been changed to "Though the people couldn't see/ What Messiah ought to be."
Translation of Hebrew lyrics
El Shaddai is most often translated as "God Almighty (אל שׁדי)."El-Elyon na Adonai is a combination of two names for God, meaning "God Most High (אל עליון), O Lord (אדני)" (na (נא) is a particle of entreaty, sometimes translated "please" but often left untranslated).
Erkamka na Adonai is taken from Psalm 18:1 (except for the "na," which is added) and is normally translated "I love you (ארחמך), O Lord." Psalm 18:1 is the only place that the Hebrew Bible uses this verb for love in the Qal stem; this is normally an Aramaic usage. Hebrew uses this verb in the Piel stem.
For more information on the translation, see Names of God in Judaism
Names of God in Judaism
In Judaism, the name of God is more than a distinguishing title; it represents the Jewish conception of the divine nature, and of the relationship of God to the Jewish people and to the world. To demonstrate the sacredness of the names of God, and as a means of showing respect and reverence for...
, El Shaddai
El Shaddai
El Shaddai [shah-'dah-yy] is one of the Judaic names of God, with its etymology coming from the influence of the Ugaritic religion on modern Judaism. El Shaddai is conventionally translated as God Almighty...
, El (god)
El (god)
is a Northwest Semitic word meaning "deity", cognate to Akkadian and then to Hebrew : Eli and Arabic )....
, Shaddai
Shaddai
Shaddai was a late Bronze Age Amorite city on the banks of the Euphrates river, in northern Syria, as well as the name, or a signifying epithet of a West Semitic deity, whose name was attached by the Hebrews to that of El as one of the names of God in Judaism....
and Elyon
Elyon
Elyon is an epithet of the God of Israel in the Hebrew Bible. is usually rendered as English "God Most High"....
.
Charts
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | "El Shaddai" | Billboard Christian | 1 |