Honestly, if you've spent any time in a contemporary church or listening to gospel radio over the last twenty years, you’ve heard it. The swelling strings. The modulation that makes your hair stand up. It's a staple. We are talking about the because of who you are song lyrics—specifically the powerhouse anthem penned by Martha Munizzi. It isn't just a song; it's a massive theological statement wrapped in a melody that somehow manages to feel both intimate and stadium-sized at the same time.
Music has this weird way of sticking. You forget your grocery list, but you remember a chorus from 2004 perfectly.
The Architect Behind the Anthem
Martha Munizzi didn't just stumble into this. She’s a Juno and Stellar Award winner who basically redefined what "cross-over" praise and worship looked like in the early 2000s. When she released The Best Is Yet to Come in 2003, "Because of Who You Are" was the heartbeat of that record. It captured a very specific shift in liturgical music. We moved away from songs that were strictly about what the singer wanted from God and moved toward a "declarative" style.
The song is simple. It doesn't use five-dollar words or complex metaphors. It lists names. Jehovah Jireh. Jehovah Nissi. Jehovah Shalom.
Why does that work? Because it’s grounding. In a world that feels incredibly chaotic, shouting out titles that imply "Provider" or "Prince of Peace" feels like an anchor. People don't just sing these lyrics; they lean on them.
Breaking Down the Because of Who You Are Song Lyrics
Most people think they know the song, but when you look at the structure, it’s a masterclass in tension and release. It starts quiet. It’s a personal conversation. "Because of who You are, I give You glory." It’s lowercase "g" glory at first—just a whisper.
Then it pivots.
The bridge is where the song usually breaks people. It transitions from a general "thank you" to a specific acknowledgment of character.
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- Jehovah Jireh: My provider.
- Jehovah Nissi: Lord, You reign in victory.
- Jehovah Shalom: My Prince of Peace.
There is a subtle psychological trick happening here, too. By repeating these specific Hebrew names of God, the because of who you are song lyrics tap into a deep sense of tradition. It makes the singer feel connected to something ancient, even if the drums sounding in the background are very "Top 40."
The Vickers and the "Other" Version
We have to be careful here because there’s actually another song with a similar title that people often confuse. Vicki Yohe released a song called "Because of Who You Are" (written by Billy Funk) which gained massive popularity around the same time. While Munizzi’s version is a soaring gospel-praise anthem, Yohe’s is often remembered for its slower, more reflective buildup.
If you are searching for the lyrics and find "Lord, I worship You because of who You are," you’re likely looking at the Billy Funk/Vicki Yohe version. If you’re looking for the one that chants the names of God in a high-energy climax, that’s Munizzi.
Both songs share a DNA of "pure worship." They reject the "gimme" gospel. You know the type—the songs that sound like a shopping list for blessings? These songs do the opposite. They argue that even if nothing changes in your bank account or your health, the "Who" remains constant. It’s a tough pill to swallow sometimes, but it’s why the song stays relevant.
Why Musicians Both Love and Fear This Song
If you’re a worship leader, this song is a weapon. It’s a guaranteed way to engage a room. But from a technical standpoint? It’s a beast.
Martha Munizzi’s vocal range is legendary. She sits comfortably in a soulful alto but can hit those soprano "money notes" with a rasp that feels like pure grit. Most church vocalists struggle with the bridge because it requires a steady climb in intensity. You can’t start at a ten. If you start at a ten, you have nowhere to go when the key change hits. And oh, there is always a key change.
Musicians often discuss the "Munizzi Modulation." It isn't just a half-step up; it’s a shift in energy. The bass gets busier. The drummer starts hitting the crash cymbals like they owe him money. It becomes a wall of sound.
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The Cultural Impact of the Message
It’s worth noting that "Because of Who You Are" was one of those rare songs that broke down the "Black Church/White Church" divide in the United States. In the early 2000s, the "CCM" (Contemporary Christian Music) world and the "Gospel" world were often very segregated.
Munizzi, a white woman with a powerhouse "black gospel" sound, bridged that gap. Her because of who you are song lyrics were sung in suburban megachurches and inner-city cathedrals alike. It was a unifying moment in a genre that can sometimes feel fractured.
Actually, it’s kind of funny. You’ll see teenagers today on TikTok "discovering" this song as if it’s a new indie track. They’re doing vocal runs over the bridge and tagging it #GospelGold. It’s proof that good songwriting is evergreen.
The Theology of "Who" vs. "What"
Let's get deep for a second. Why is "who you are" better than "what you do"?
Psychologically, humans are wired for transactional relationships. You do something for me; I do something for you. But the because of who you are song lyrics push against that. They suggest a relationship based on essence.
- Identity over Action: It affirms that God’s nature doesn’t change based on our circumstances.
- Stability: In a "cancel culture" or a shifting economy, having a "Prince of Peace" isn't a luxury; it’s a survival mechanism.
- Surrender: It’s hard to stay stressed when you’re singing about a provider.
People often get caught up in the "Jehovah" names. These are "theophanies"—moments where God revealed a specific part of His character to someone in the Bible during a crisis. Jireh was revealed to Abraham on a mountain. Shalom was revealed to Gideon when he was terrified. When you sing these lyrics, you’re basically claiming those same "crisis revelations" for your own life.
Common Misheard Lyrics and Errors
It happens to the best of us. People often sing "Jehovah Nissi, You reign in majesty" instead of "victory." While God certainly reigns in majesty, the name Nissi specifically refers to a banner or a war-flag. It’s about winning a fight.
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Another one? "Because of who You are, I give You praise." The actual lyric is "glory." It sounds like a nitpick, but in the context of the song, glory implies a weightiness. It’s the Hebrew word Kabod, meaning "heavy" or "weighty." You’re giving God the "weight" He deserves.
How to Use This Song Today
If you’re a content creator or a musician, don’t just "cover" the song.
Try stripped-down versions. The because of who you are song lyrics work surprisingly well on just an acoustic guitar or a Rhodes piano. When you take away the big gospel choir, the intimacy of the lyrics shines through.
For those using it in a personal playlist, it’s a "reset" song. It’s what you play when the day has been a total wreck and you need to remind yourself that your worth isn’t tied to your productivity.
The song isn't going anywhere. It’s survived the era of overhead projectors and made it onto every streaming platform known to man. It’s a classic because it touches on the one thing humans crave most: a constant in a world of variables.
Actionable Steps for Music Lovers and Worship Leaders
If you want to truly appreciate or perform this track, keep these specific points in mind:
- Study the Hebrew Names: Don't just sing them. Look up the stories of Abraham, Moses, and Gideon where these names first appear. It adds a layer of "oomph" to your performance.
- Watch the Pacing: If you’re leading this in a group, keep the first verse very sparse. Let the lyrics breathe. People need to hear the words "because of who You are" clearly before the music gets loud.
- Check the Key: Martha Munizzi sings in a range that is quite high for the average person. If you're leading a congregation, consider dropping the key by at least a whole step (two frets or two keys) so people can actually join in without straining.
- Focus on the Bridge: The transition from "Jehovah Jireh" to "Jehovah Nissi" should feel like a progression of confidence. Increase the volume and the "grit" slightly with each name.
The enduring power of these lyrics is found in their simplicity. They don't try to explain away suffering; they just point to a character that stands outside of it. Whether you’re listening for the nostalgia or the spiritual boost, the message remains: the "Who" matters infinitely more than the "What."