Notes from Tom
This song is rooted in John 8:58, where Jesus says:
“Before Abraham was, I Am.”
It may not seem like much to us modern believers, but it’s one of the most stunning statements in Scripture. The Jewish people of Jesus’ day knew that “I Am” was the name of God most high. The name was so sacred, they wouldn’t even pronounce it. Instead they’d substitute “Adonai” (Lord) whenever they ran across the Hebrew word for God’s name.
But here’s Jesus — not saying “I was,” — but “I Am,” present tense, outside of time, spoken in the same voice as God in the burning bush (Exodus 3:14).
This song pulls on that thread and ties in other glimpses of God’s eternal nature:
Isaiah 6 — the temple scene, the angels crying out “Holy, holy, holy” (another song on this verse coming up)
Colossians 1:17 — “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together”
Revelation 1:8 — “I am the Alpha and the Omega… who is, and who was, and who is to come”
Each verse is a reminder that the One we worship didn’t begin in Bethlehem. He is the eternal Son, the Lamb who was slain, the Word through whom all things were made.
And He hasn’t changed. From age to age, You’re still the same.
A note on the music
No big story on this tune. I came up with it around the same time as In Pastures Green, still playing with that picked electric guitar sound. I was experimenting with rhythm ideas drawn from Irish side-step tunes — and while it’s not front and center here, the feel of that rhythm definitely shaped the song.
This is also the first song on the album where I lead with therefraininstead of a verse. I wanted the central message — Before all time, You are “I Am” — to be heard right away, before anything else was said.
I choseE♭ Major because it gave the song a noble feel without sounding unapproachable. It’s a warm key — one felt right for a song about the unchanging, eternal nature of Christ who came and dwelt among us.
Lyrics
RefrainBefore all time, You are “I Am,”
Eternal Word, the spotless Lamb.
From age to age, You’re still the same,
Our Savior God, exalt Your name.
Verse 1Lord, Your name is holy, set apart,
A gift of grace that fills our heart.
We honor You, the Lord of all,
With reverence deep, we heed Your call.
RefrainBefore all time, You are “I Am,”
Eternal Word, the spotless Lamb.
From age to age, You’re still the same,
Our Savior God, exalt Your name.
Verse 2In the temple high, His train fills wide,
Angels cry out, “Adonai.”
Holy, holy, our voices raise,
To worship You, Ancient of Days.
RefrainBefore all time, You are “I Am,”
Eternal Word, the spotless Lamb.
From age to age, You’re still the same,
Our Savior God, exalt Your name.
Verse 3In Christ, we see God’s fullness dwell,
The One who breaks sin’s darkest spell.
The First, the Last, the risen Son,
Our hope, our peace, the Holy One.
RefrainBefore all time, You are “I Am,”
Eternal Word, the spotless Lamb.
From age to age, You’re still the same,
Our Savior God, exalt Your name.
BridgeThe Lamb who was, the Lamb who reigns,
Through all of time His love remains.
In every age, His truth stands clear—
Our timeless God, forever near.
RefrainBefore all time, You are “I Am,”
Eternal Word, the spotless Lamb.
From age to age, You’re still the same,
Our Savior God, exalt Your name.
Also on Substack.