Worship leaders know that "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" is a rare gem. The song is as effective in an intimate small group as a public praise outreach. Methodist Junior High kids settle into the song as sweetly as Baptist senior citizens, and it never seems to get tiresome. In less than a decade, Rick Founds' little four-chord flock-rocker has become known and loved internationally. It hurdles denominational barriers effortlessly, and is sung in every conceivable musical style. The song rocketed into CCLI's highest position several years ago and remains comfortably nestled there. It's unusual to find a modern songbook without "Lord, I Lift," or an evangelical church that doesn't sing it. More than an accessible and catchy praise song, "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" accomplishes something priceless: it summarizes the whole gospel, responds with adoration, and then places it on the lips of uncounted millions.

All this is quite a feat for a guy who does research and development at a fiber optics company.

Rick Founds, however, is far more than a techno-geek with a pocket protector; he's logged 15 years in full-time ministry, and has authored nearly 500 praise songs. The 43-year-old father of three teen-age daughters has been leading worship since he was a teen himself. Even so, Founds is awestruck at the impact of "Lord I Lift Your Name on High," a song as at home around a campfire as in the shadow of the Washington Monument with a million Promise Keepers. "It's an honor," he ponders, speaking slowly as he takes it all in again for the umpteenth time. "I'm happy about it. It's what anybody would hope for."

"Lord, I Lift Your Name" was written in 1989 during Found's morning devotion. Having developed the habit of playing guitar while watching television, he found it very natural to play while reading Scripture on his computer monitor.

"I'd just reach over and grab my guitar," he recalls. "I'd plunk along with whatever I was reading that day."

He remembers marveling one early morning at the love of God who created the world though He knew we would rebel and fall. It amazed Rick that God had a plan to redeem us from the very beginning. As Founds meditated over his cyber-Bible and touched his guitar strings, God's plan struck him as something of a cycle.

He thought of the cycle of rain that comes down, waters the earth, evaporates back into the clouds and then returns.

Suddenly, the now famous chorus emerged: "You came from heaven to earth to show the way / From the earth to the cross my debt to pay / From the cross to the grave / From the grave to the sky..." Interrupting his own lyric, Founds explains, "The response to grasping even a little bit of that knowledge is praise, and thanksgiving and gratitude!" When he completes the line, 'Lord, I Lift Your Name on High,' a moment of silent awe follows.

Founds was worship leader for a large church so the song found its way easily to Maranatha! Music and was soon recorded. A then new men's movement called Promise Keepers began to use the song at their rallies with both Anglo and Latino lyrics, helping lift the song into profound prominence. The composer enjoys visiting churches and anonymously adding his voice to their versions of his song. He has found many of these renditions to be... unique. He warns young praise songwriters to prepare themselves for this shock. "Every congregation has its own personality and style," he observes. "It's a lot of fun to hear things you have written done in the character of that church. I've heard 'Lord, I Lift Your Name on High' done in reggae, in 3/4 (almost a polka), and in a Spanish flavor. I've heard it done country. These were the musical characteristics of the praise band or predominant style [of that ministry]. That's exciting, because it means they have taken ownership of it, made it their own."

Founds says he is most touched when people tell him that his songs have given expression to the cries of their own hearts. He treasures letters from believers in Croatia and Russia thanking him for his songs. Retiring from full-time ministry four years ago, Founds re-entered the technical field of his training, both to keep his fingers on the pulse of the culture and to spend more time with his family. Today, he leads worship at a small church on a volunteer basis. Founds is known for many other fine praise songs, including "Jesus Draw Me Close," "I Need You," and "Lord, I Love Your Grace."

"Lord, I Lift Your Name on High," Rick Founds, 1989 Maranatha! Music Lyrics reprinted by permission of author.