Combining theological reflection on the God-Beyond-Words with poetic sensitivity and a celebration theme – is a labor of love. This collaboration between friends seeks to do all three in a way that inspires the Church to worship. Here is the story behind the song.
Alpha And Omega
Sam Yoder | Dan Wilt
No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
No mind conceived, nor understood
All that You’ve prepared for Your children
You turn our nights to brightest day,
Our deepest cries to highest praise
The best is yet to come for Your children
| Prechorus |
And by what measure could Your worth be weighed?
Or the riches of Your glory be appraised?
| Chorus |
Alpha and Omega,
You are great forever
You deserve, You deserve all our praise
Your love knows no beginning,
Your love is never ending,
You deserve, You deserve all our praise
| Bridge |
You were, You are, You’ll always be
From age to age, the great “I Am”
OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO >
[youtube id=”jBv-8MpIQz8″]
THE WRITERS
Sam Yoder was born into an Amish family of six children, and his parents led their children out of the Amish after having encountered the extravagant goodness of God in Jesus. In college, Sam recalls walking into the local Vineyard Christian Fellowship and hearing the Holy Spirit say, “These are your people.” He, his wife Tiffanee, and two daughters reside in Campbellsville, KY where he works as a Chiropractor, rides motorcycles, and writes songs.
Dan Wilt grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania, searching for the shimmering truth behind everyday life. After encounters with Christ in high school and college, Dan devoted his life to loving, and being loved by, Jesus. He studied Philosophy and Religion, and became a worship leader, songwriter, professor, and pastor in the Vineyard (see Vineyard Worship). Dan and his wife Anita have three adult children, and live in Thompson’s Station, TN.
SONG STORY
“Oh, the depth of the riches of wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments, his paths beyond tracing out!
Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?
Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?”
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Romans 11:33-36
SY: Dan Wilt’s and my song, Alpha And Omega, began with a pre-chorus I wrote years ago inspired by this lofty meditation from Paul’s epistle to the Romans. It simply asks, “…By what measure could Your worth be weighed? Or the riches of Your glory by appraised?” because whatever else we might say of God, this is fundamental: His greatness is beyond the reach of any language and craft that we possess. Yet this is good news! Because, as His children, the great things He has in store for us are likewise beyond our reach of language or imagination (no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind conceived). I love that! Once these two concepts had been merged, I realized that the only chorus that would make sense would be about God’s endlessness, from beginning to end, and this led to the New Testament revelation of Alpha And Omega.
With these three thoughts intact, I sent a rough mp3 off to Dan, thinking he would hear it and shrug and say, “Let’s move on.” Instead he immediately wrote back to me and said something along the lines of, “I have faith for this. Yes, this is a winner; let’s get to work.” Then, with his next message, I knew I’d hit the jackpot in a writing partner. He sent a long recorded message detailing not just every line, but every single word: rearranging, changing lyrics, explaining how they fit, where they fit, where they were weak, how they could be improved, and why it all mattered.
For the next few weeks we wrote, edited, and rewrote in an attempt to get a song we both felt good about. I loved working with Dan for various reasons, but not least because when we disagreed we approached the issue in question using reason, logic, persuasion, and of course – passion. We would go back and forth, considering our different perspectives. It was truly a team effort, and the greatest reward is a new friendship. We hope this song is a blessing to your church, and that it helps those who sing it rejoice in the incredible greatness of God, and the wondrous things He has in store for us.
DW: I’m moved every time I hear or play this song. Sam and I are a natural fit as co-writers, as we both care about intimacy with God, theology enrobed in poetry, and timelessness in lyrics and melody. Our Vineyard tribe is a home for both of us in the Body of Christ, where the language of worship has always been deeply musical, experiential, and invitational.
When Sam first sent this song to me, I knew that our shared love for biblically and theologically rich, yet simple and accessible songs for the Church, would drive this song of celebration home. As a worship leader I’m deeply aware of our need, at this season, for more songs of celebration that help us throw off the wet, wooly garments of cynicism and fear by giving full attention to the Person of God revealed in Christ Jesus.
When dear friend, writer, and worship leader Kat Michael added her voice and passion to the song, I felt New Creation brimming over in the piece! I couldn’t think of a season – Easter, Advent, Christmas, or Pentecost – in which I wouldn’t use this song as a worship leader. The fact that the song was born from a new friendship just adds to the joy for me.
VOCALS | WORSHIP LEADER
Kat Michael grew up with a rich heritage in worship. She remembers harmonizing with her Grandpa’s smooth baritone voice to Great Is Thy Faithfulness from the back-seat of his old Cadillac at the age of five.
Growing up Nazarene, Katherine sang as part of the worship team in the contemporary service and during high school her family “double dipped” churches and attended the Vineyard Columbus on Saturday nights. It was here that she first saw what intimate and spirit-filled worship could look like. Raised hands and clapping were new and intriguing to her, and every time a shout came from the congregation it would stir her heart and she knew there was something more.
After college, Kat became involved with the worship team at the Franklin Vineyard in Tennessee. She had a personal spiritual renewal in 2008, and her passion for worship was reignited. Whether it’s Sunday Morning at her local church, leading worship for a small group of 10 in a living room, or at a conference for hundreds, Katherine loves to make space for the Holy Spirit to encounter His people.
She resides in Franklin, TN with her Husband Josh and two small children Felix and Jubilee.
DEMO PRODUCER
Mitchell Maldonado has worked in virtually every aspect of the music industry. After studying recording in music school in Santa Fe, he continued his career touring with various bands playing several different instruments.
Mitch currently resides in Boise, ID with his beautiful wife, Lindsay, and works as a songwriter/producer for House Below as well as playing guitar, keys and anything else for a CCM band, The Neverclaim. This song is an example of Mitch’s “upgraded demo” work.
SONG RESOURCES
Chord Chart(s)
Download the Alpha And Omega Chord Chart (Keys of G, A, and Nashville Number System).
Song MP3
Download the Alpha And Omega MP3.
Text File
Download the Alpha And Omega Text File (for Video Software)