Like Incense / Sometimes By Step

Song Meaning

The lyrics present a fervent prayer, a direct address to a divine entity, seeking divine attention and favor. The opening lines establish a devotional posture, likening a prayer to "incense" and the "lifting of my hands" to a "sacrifice." This imagery immediately grounds the piece in a ritualistic and humble offering, aiming to draw the divine gaze. The narrator expresses a deep-seated belief in the presence of "mercy in Your sight," setting a tone of hopeful supplication. The core tension arises from the internal struggle between the narrator's desire for devotion and an "anxious urge toward rebellion." The lyrics articulate a conscious effort to align the will with divine "decrees," even requesting that "love keep my will upon its knees." This internal conflict highlights a commitment to spiritual discipline, where obedience is not passive but actively chosen, a constant negotiation against inherent human inclination. A striking craft element is the contrast between the finite and the infinite. The narrator observes "a limit" to "all creation" but finds "Your commands are boundless and have none." This juxtaposition elevates the divine word as an eternal source of "joy and meditation," a constant companion "from the rising to the setting of the sun." The lyrics also employ a powerful reciprocal action: because the divine "gladly lean to lead the humble," the narrator "shall gladly kneel to leave my pride." Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their clear articulation of a personal, active faith. The commitment to "seek You in the morning" and "learn to walk in Your ways" is not a one-time event but a continuous process, "step by step." This gradual, guided progression, coupled with the willingness to surrender personal pride, creates a compelling portrait of devotion rooted in both divine grace and human agency.