If you’ve stepped foot in a Black church or turned on a gospel radio station in the last fifteen years, you’ve heard it. That driving, syncopated rhythm. The wall of sound from a high-energy choir. That soaring declaration: "Lord, You're mighty!"
Honestly, it’s one of those songs that feels like it’s been around forever. It has that "instant classic" DNA. But the Lord You're mighty JJ Hairston lyrics didn't just appear out of thin air; they are the result of a very specific era in choir music where JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise were redefining the "East Coast sound."
The Biblical Roots of the Lyrics
The song doesn't waste time with fluff. It goes straight to the source. The opening verse—“Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty He is”—is a direct lift from Psalm 24.
It’s a call-and-response masterclass. Hairston, ever the meticulous director, uses the choir to build tension. You have the verse establishing God's resume (mighty in battle, none powerful as Him), and then it shifts. The pre-chorus is where the energy pivots from storytelling to active worship: “To Him we sing (Hallelujah), to Him we cry (Glory!)”
Why the Song "Resting on His Promise" Changed Everything
A lot of people think this song came out recently because it’s still so high in rotation. In reality, it was a standout track on the 2009 album Resting on His Promise. While the title track and "Incredible God, Incredible Praise" were massive, "Lord You're Mighty" became the Sunday morning staple.
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Why? Because it’s easy to teach.
Any choir director will tell you that a song with a repetitive, high-impact vamp is gold. When the song hits that bridge—“You’re mighty, victorious, all powerful and glorious”—it stops being a performance and starts being a "praise break." JJ Hairston has always had a knack for writing lyrics that feel like they were written by the congregation themselves.
Breaking Down the Versions
It’s kinda confusing because there are actually two major versions people hunt for.
- The 2009 Original: This is the Resting on His Promise version. It’s raw, it’s quintessentially "Youthful Praise," and it has that classic bridge.
- The 2014/2016 Update: Hairston revisited the theme on the I See Victory project. This version, often just titled "You're Mighty," features a slightly more polished production and cracked the Billboard Gospel Top 10 in early 2016.
If you’re looking for the lyrics to teach your praise team, make sure you’re looking at the right one. The later version leans harder into the "You reign victorious" chorus, whereas the older version is famous for the "What a mighty God we serve" interpolation that many choirs add in spontaneously.
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What Most People Get Wrong
There is a common misconception that JJ Hairston writes everything solo. While he is the visionary, he’s a massive collaborator. For "Lord You're Mighty," he worked closely with Eric Davis.
Davis is a beast when it comes to arrangement. Together, they crafted a song that isn’t just about the words; it’s about the tempo. The song sits at around 88 BPM, which is that perfect sweet spot. It’s fast enough to clap to, but slow enough that you can actually hear the words.
The Impact on Modern Worship
You've probably noticed that worship music has shifted toward a more "CCM" (Contemporary Christian Music) style lately—lots of acoustic guitars and atmospheric pads. But Lord You're mighty JJ Hairston lyrics represent the endurance of the "Choir Sound."
It proves that people still want to hear harmonies. They still want that booming, 40-voice "soprano-alto-tenor" blend.
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The song has been covered by countless local church choirs across the globe. From London to Lagos, the lyrics are used as a weapon of warfare. When the choir sings “When You fight, You will win,” it isn't just a catchy line. For many listeners, it’s a theological anchor during a rough week.
How to Use This Song for Your Ministry
If you’re a worship leader trying to bring this to your team, here’s the play.
Don't overcomplicate the verses. Let the lead singer carry the narrative. The magic is in the Vamp. Once you get to the "All powerful and glorious" section, let the instruments drop out for a second. Let the voices carry the weight. That’s how JJ does it, and it never fails to shift the atmosphere.
Basically, the song works because it is simple truth set to an infectious beat. It’s hard to stay sitting down when that bass line kicks in.
To get the most out of these lyrics for a live performance, focus on the transition between the chorus and the vamp. Most choirs lose the energy there by slowing down, but Hairston actually pushes the intensity. You can find the full sheet music and chord charts on platforms like MultiTracks or WorshipReady if you need the exact C# / Db key modulations.
Next Steps for Worship Leaders
Check your choir's vocal range before tackling the bridge. While the lyrics are simple, the "You're mighty!" repetitions often climb in key, which can strain tenors if you start too high. Start in C# and see how the sopranos handle the top end of the "Victorious" line before committing to the full arrangement.