El Shaddai (song)
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| “El Shaddai” | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Amy Grant from the album Age to Age |
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| Released | 1982 | ||||
| Genre | Contemporary Christian | ||||
| Length | 4:08 | ||||
| Label | Myrrh Records | ||||
| Writer(s) | Michael Card, John Thompson | ||||
| Producer | Brown Bannister | ||||
| Amy Grant singles chronology | |||||
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"El Shaddai" is a Contemporary Christian music song. It was written by Michael Card and John Thompson, using direct quotes from scripture as their inspiration, and recorded by Michael Card on one of his first two albums. However, it is also commonly associated with the singer Amy Grant, who recorded it on her 1982 platinum album Age to Age.[1]
The title comes from two Judaic names of God and translates to "God Almighty" (see El Shaddai). Approximately half the lyrics of the chorus are in the Hebrew language, which is rather unusual for a Contemporary Christian song. The recording was in the style of a performance ballad, but the song was subsequently published in some hymnbooks[2] and is occasionally sung congregationally.
The song was a hit single for Grant, reaching the top ten of the Billboard Christian chart.[1] "El Shaddai" won "Song of the Year" and Card won "Songwriter of the Year" at the 1983 GMA Dove Awards.[3] It was also named one of the "Songs of the Century" by the RIAA in 2001.[4]
Grant recorded a new version of the song for her 2005 album Rock of Ages...Hymns and Faith. "El Shaddai" has been covered by many contemporary Christian and gospel recording artists, including Pat Boone [5] and Winans Phase 2 [6].
[edit] Translation of Hebrew lyrics
El Shaddai, as previously mentioned, is most often translated as "God Almighty".
El-Elyon na Adonai is a common phrase meaning "God most high, O Lord".
Erkamka na Adonai is taken from Psalm 18:1 and is normally translated "I love you, O Lord" (Hebrew ארחמך).
For more information on the translation, refer to this thread on the Michael Card discussion forum. Also see Names of God in Judaism, El Shaddai, El (god), Shaddai and Elyon.
[edit] See also
- Dove Award for Song of the Year
- Dove Award for Songwriter of the Year
- El Shaddai, the Hebrew name for God
- El Shaddai (movement), a Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement
- El Shaddai Charitable Trust, a charity dedicated to helping street children in India
- El Shaddai International Christian Centre, a group of churches
[edit] References
- ^ a b Amy Grant biography. All Music Guide.
- ^ Among others, The United Methodist Hymnal publishes it as no. 123
- ^ GMA Dove Awards - History.
- ^ Songs of the Century. CNN.com.
- ^ Album featuring El Shaddai sung by Pat Boone.
- ^ Album featuring El Shaddai sung by Winans Phase 2.
