He's faithful to redeem.

 Almighty Weaver
©7-4-2025 hannah mclean

Almighty Weaver
i rest in Your hands
You who made mountains
You who formed man
Almighty Weaver
the Maker of parts
only Your love can 
join body and heart

Your blood binds what’s broken
and makes new what’s old
Your love falls on ashes
and brings forth the gold
Your truth walks through prisons
and unlocks the doors
Your hands lift the least of these
making them more

Almighty Weaver
redemption’s Your way
You bring dead to life 
and You turn night to day
You see beyond moment
call forth what will be
in the land of the living
Your goodness i’ll see

Even there

Even There
@1-4-2025 Hannah McLean

If the wings of the morning bid me ride
If the waves pull me out to sea
If the night folds on me like covering
If the light seems as darkness to me

Even there

Even there,
You're the Lord who searched me
Who has known me before I met time
Even there,
You're the Lord who has found me
Who has hemmed in before and behind
Even there,
Your sure hand is on me
Your thoughts of me more than the sand
Even there,
You're the Lord who has formed me
Who causes my frail frame to stand

Father, even there You will lead me
May the hold of Your hand be my peace
For when rising and falling and darkness and flight end,
You will never cease

 

---

 

Psalm 139:7–10 "Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me."

heralding the end of a reign

a broken reign
©11/13/2023 hannah mclean

a broken reign
my knees no more will bend
my King bent low
that death’s cruel rule would end
bound in His mercy I
find love a noble steed
now raised I ride with Him
as one who’s free indeed

a broken reign
sin’s barren throne no more
a royal carpet rolls
red paves the temple floor
bound in the Father’s love
peace spills across this stone
now wrapped in holy light
no more to walk alone

a broken reign
replaced by worthy King
righteous and just
His rule my joy to sing
bound in the hope of life
eternal courts I’ll stride
in heavenly unity
i even now abide

Over the Waters

It's been a season where I feel like I'm caught in a perpetual rain storm, I know that when it stops raining the scene that will be in front of me will be full of beauty...I can feel the impending thrill of a new season. But the transition has been long and arduous. I've found myself pulling up a chair in the presence of the One who separated the waters in Genesis 1, who parted the waters in Exodus 14, who opened rocks and earth to draw water up from the depths of the earth (Exodus 17) and broke open clouds to make it pour down from the sky (Genesis 7), who brings the rain as easily as He stops it (1 Kings 18), and manages the waves of oceans (Job 38). This song comes from my time in this chair:

i stand
in falling waters
they pour upon my head
i look
through blurry vision
eyes searching for what Your said
for I know
who You are and
i know on
Whom I stand
my voice rings out
through sounds of thunder
to the One who holds me
by my right hand

Part the waters
like You’ve done before
separate the waters
by the power of Your word
order the waters
make them pools beneath my feet
You bring order to the chaos
for the waters bend to Your authority

i stand
in falling waters
they pour upon my head
i look
through blurry vision
eyes searching for what You said
for I know
You are truth and
I know I
will not fall
my voice cries out
through rushing torrents
to the One who keeps me
Lord over all

Part the waters
like You’ve done before
separate the waters
by the powers of Your word
order the waters
make them pools beneath my feet
You bring order to the chaos
for the waters bow to Your authority

"The spring of him who called"

This song was inspired by a story found in Judges 15. Samson had just been given a miraculous, though strenuous, victory and he was very thirsty. And he called out to God, and the Lord opened up for him a spring--a well--of water for him to drink. There he drank and was revived and satisfied, and the name of this well was En-hakkore: The spring of him who called. 

I love that. I love that we have an abundant, lavish God who waits with compassion and eagerness to pour out His overflow at the sound of our voice. May your voice lift up to our Jehovah, and may He open for you wells from which to draw that meet the deepest needs of your deepest depths.

A Spring for the One who Calls
©1-12-21 Hannah McLean

Near quiet waters
You walk with me
though raging rivers
I see
Your gentle hand
keeps my heart at rest
though mighty
the testing may be

Your ears
they hear my cry to You
Your eyes
they see my plight
There are fountains for valleys
and wells for the one
who cries out
to the Lord of Life

There’s peace when the heart
has been shattered and torn
Hope when the
desolate longs
There’s joy for the soul
who can see no light
For the outcast
a place to belong

For His ears
they hear our cry to Him
His eyes
they see our plight
He has fountains for valleys
and wells for the ones
who cry out
to the Lord of Life

The bended knee
will be lifted up
The burdened back
be made straight
Innocence lost know
the years restored
Justice for the one who
must wait

For His ears
have heard our cry to Him
His eyes
have seen our plight
He has fountains for valleys
and wells for the ones
who cry out
to the Lord of Life

A "Hallelujah" in Every Season

This morning I brought the Lord a “Hallelujah.”

I was thinking about a song I wrote a few years ago about how we bring to the Lord the fullness of this word—“Hallelujah”—in the different seasons of our life, and how it is drawn from different places within us, how it resonates with different nuances of whatever has flavored our moment, and that its honest tones relay a multitude of words that come up lacking beside it.

So this morning, as this song rolled through my mind, testifying of the complexities of the seasons I have walked through before and how this “Hallelujah” has reverberated from my heart in them, I gathered all the pieces of my current moment…the failures, the triumphs, the pains, the confusions, the impatience, the joy, the thanksgiving…and with no need to sort through it, I bound them up in this honest, simple word of praise—chock full of desire and understanding and complicated floundering—and directed it upwards to my Lord with an undivided heart.

And this beautiful God of mine received it, with all it held and all it lacked. I offered Him the honest praise from my current season, and He received it…just as it was. I wish I could explain to you what happens to my heart when I find myself accepted, again and again and again. And I also hope that I will never stop marveling at the Lord’s willingness to hold within His spotless hands a blemished lamb, who with honest, pleading wanting has simply turned its eyes toward Him.

Hallelujah.

to come and to worship

i just want to be with You
©10-3-16 hannah mclean

i just want to be with You
i just want to be with You
i come only to bow
and bring You worship
bring You praise
i just want to be with You
i just want to be with You
all of my days
all of my days
all of my days

Your presence brings me fullness
Your love lets me adore
Your life, it gives me wholeness
You are all my soul longs for
Your beauty fills with wonder
Your light is pure divine
Your kindness brings me to my knees
i’m Yours and You are mine

i just want to be with You
i just want to be with You
i come only to bow
and bring You worship
bring You praise
i just want to be with You
i just want to be with You
all of my days
all of my days
all of my days

adoration leads to exaltation
Your name rings out
as worthy of all praise

i just want to be with You
i just want to be with You
i come only to bow
and bring You worship
bring You praise
i just want to be with You
i just want to be with You
all of my days
all of my days
all of my days

a grateful heart song

“But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:16–18

forever free
©4-1-16 hannah mclean

You have torn the veil that i may
see You face-to-face
You have torn the veil that i may
touch the throne of grace
encompassed by Your Spirit
i am made forever free
oh my Jesus
what a wondrous work
Your blood has done for me

You have torn the veil that i may
know that You are mine
You have torn the veil that i may
know the One divine
my righteousness, but filthy rags
but Yours has made me free
oh my Jesus
what a wondrous work
Your blood has done for me

the veil no more before my eyes
Your glory let me see
transformed by Your mere presence
Lord, Your love has set me free

You have torn the veil, Lord
You have torn the veil
torn from top to bottom, Lord
You have torn the veil
where, o death, where is you sting?
o grave, your victory?
my Lord has made a way for me
and i’m forever free
oh my Jesus
what a wondrous work
oh my Jesus
what a wondrous work
oh my Jesus
what a wondrous work
Your blood has done for me

“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:54b–56 

“Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:16–23

Another heart song

Psalm 68:4 “Sing to God, sing praises to His name; lift up a song to Him who rides through the deserts; His name is the Lord; exult before Him!”

My Hallelujah
©12-26-15 Hannah McLean

This is my hallelujah
Hallelujah
This is my hallelujah

There are times when
no other word will do
just hallelujah
Hallelujah
This is my hallelujah

May it always hold great wonder
May it always ring with praise
May it always flow with thanksgiving
May it always exalt Your name

This is my hallelujah
Hallelujah
This is my hallelujah

Though I’m broken
a hallelujah
And in rejoicing
hallelujah
And in confusion, in pain or sorrow
still hallelujah
hallelujah
still hallelujah

This is my hallelujah
Hallelujah
This is my hallelujah

Always the same
Lord, You always remain
Your worth does not change
nor Your heart fall away
Eternal Your way
Who You are always stays
so hallelujah
hallelujah
hallelujah

This is my hallelujah
Hallelujah
This is my hallelujah

my heart's song tonight

Psalm 103:13–14
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.
 
You must carry
©10-28-15 hannah mclean
 
carry me
i cry to You
carry me
i cry

for i have not the strength
for the rest of the journey
my heart is too worn
and my eyes are too weary
if there’s something to gain
You’re my hope or i’m slain
You must carry

carry me
i cry to You
carry me
i cry

yes, honor and glory, Lord,
i wish to bring You
yes, praise and thanksgiving
but i strain to sing
though i can’t lift my hands
i will fall to my knees
crying “please”

carry me
i cry to You
carry me
i cry

Lord, You know my frame
as it’s falling to dust
You are my Father
the One i can trust
i find rest in compassion
that shines from Your face
eternally faithful to
Your child of grace

carry me
i sigh to You
carry me
i sigh

it is good to grow again.

i believe You
©6-17-15 hannah mclean

sometimes i wonder
what You are doing in me
the curiosity of the pains
stirred up
the precision of the moments
of waiting
the joys found in Your presence
in prayer
how mysterious Your ways
as i ponder Your character
amidst the chaos
reveling in the peace
attained by hope
in the face of unchanged circumstances

i find that i believe You

not that You suddenly became trustworthy
but i am learning to trust

it’s strange really
this trust that transcends the details of life
it rests in something greater
and shields my heart against
the painful changes of a broken world;
the giving and the taking
the failing and the shaking

sometimes i wonder
what You are doing in me
because i don’t hear the words
of the Spirit’s groanings
i only feel their strength
i don’t hear the words
of the Savior’s intercession
i only know He accompanies me
to the Mercy Seat

but i receive
and i am receiving

and

i find that i believe You
maybe for the first time

aspects of Your love
Your favor
Your kindness
Your fervor
the sweetness of Your song
sung over me
notes stirring
my heart at depths
only You know
till praise arises from my mouth
in harmony with my Creator

i find i believe You
and You are glorious
Your ways are good
though curious

i wait for You
hoping and wondering
amid pain and prayer and peace
satisfied by Your presence

a song from Psalm 16

©hannah mclean

in Your presence 
there is joy
of fullness is the measure
for what You show
and help me know
secures my meek endeavors
this path of life
i'll ever walk
with You always before me
my right hand firm
within Your own
lets my whole being adore Thee

The Aftermath

August 4th marks the 1-year anniversary of my brother's death. This is where my heart is at the moment:

The Aftermath
©8-2-13 Hannah McLean

There are days
my feet won’t stand
when waves knock me down
while I am on land
I wipe the water from my eyes
I sadly scoff at my surprise
because
No matter where I look
it’s the same on every path
Before and behind and above and below
I see the aftermath

Memories
alive in my head
retelling those moments
reliving my dread
I close my eyes, I stop my ears
but there are things I’ll always hear
because
No matter where I look
it’s the same on every path
Before and behind and above and below
I see the aftermath

Yes, death takes its toll
on the heart and the soul
for the fury of grief
shows no partiality
Yes, death takes its toll
on the heart and the soul
Death takes its toll
on the heart and the soul
Death takes its toll
on the heart and the soul
because  
No matter where I look
it’s the same on every path
Before and behind and above and below
I see the aftermath

poemettes [ie small poems] from my journal. :)

©hannah mclean 2011

stir in me
mighty rushing waters
that from the depth of me
may rise
and out of my lips pour
rivers of life

---

i walk with You alone
my steps often unseen
by those who stand around me
i am FOR You alone

flattening myself
on the ground at Your feet
so as to cast no shadow
nor stand between anything
and Your radiant light

visible desiring to be invisible
that the invisible may be seen

You move in and through me
a vessel for Your glory
to present You
my Desire
to display You
my Worth
that You may be beheld

ALL for You
o Pearl of Greatest Price

---

oh You
of worth and adoration
let us adorn You with praise

---

set me ablaze
with Your fiery Spirit
consumed from the inside out
burn away what can be shaken
destroy what can be taken
till i stand in glorious array,
all ashes blown away,
for a headdress of beauty
and a garment of praise
Lord, set me ablaze

---

Love of all love
poured down from above
into the arms of a woman
and into the hearts of man

come and adore Him
kneel down before Him

behold His hands
not yet pierced through
behold His face
not yet shining its resurrected glory

Hope of all hope
Life and Light eternal
may i never cease to
offer You praise of all praise

The result of a look into the book of Ecclesiasties

Almighty in sufficiency
©10-2-11 hannah mclean

You ARE
all i need
almighty
in sufficiency
You ARE
You ARE all i need

i have wandered
in my seeking
but in all of the places
i have not found
what can only
be known in You

You ARE
all i need
sovereign
for eternity
You ARE
You ARE all i need

in my wanting
in my waning
in my doubt and
in my pain
in my coping
in my longing
in my pride and
in my shame

You ARE
all i need
You ARE
all i need
Lord, You ARE
all i need

You ARE glorious
You ARE holy
You ARE strength and
You ARE worthy
You ARE hope and
You ARE majesty
You ARE
all i need

You ARE
You ARE all i need

my morning song

awaken me to You
©7-22-11 hannah mclean

only You
can give me life
awaken me, my Lord

let me
let me come alive

Lord, fill me
with Your presence
awaken me to You
and move me
by Your Spirit
till i am wholly new

Lord, what good are these crippled knees
for dancing ‘round Your throne?
and what good are these heavy hands
for lifting praise to You alone?

Lord, fill me
with Your presence
awaken me to You
and move me
by Your Spirit
till i am wholly new

only You
can give me life
awaken me, my Lord
give me ears to hear Your voice
a heart to know Your word
fill my mouth with praises, Lord
to ever lift to You
and lift my soul to worship, Lord
as i bow down to You

Lord, fill me
with Your presence
awaken me to You
and move me
by Your Spirit
till i am wholly new

awaken me, oh Glorious Creator
i long to see the beauty of Your face
ignite the senses of my spirit
to behold You
awaken me, oh Merciful Majesty
i long to feel the touch of holy hands
ignite the senses of my spirit
to receive You

only You
can give me life
awaken me, my Lord

let me
let me come alive

Lord, fill me
with Your presence
awaken me to You
and move me
by Your Spirit
till i am wholly new

awaken me
awaken me to You, Lord
awaken me
awaken me to You, Lord
awaken me
awaken me to You, Lord
awaken me to You

Isaiah 42:11a "Let the desert and its cities lift up their voice..."

Desert of man
©3-24-11 Hannah McLean

Oh desert of man
how long will you stand
surrounded by dust and the burning demands
of this dry and this dark, weary land?

Oh desert of man
you must lift up your voice and cry
“Abide, oh abide, Lord, abide, oh abide, oh abide”

You desert of man...

The raging sands have torn your face
the scalding sun has burned your skin
the thorny weeds have pierced your hands
you’ve turned your back
and closed your eyes
when...
Oh desert of man
you must lift up your voice and cry
“Abide, oh abide, Lord, abide, oh abide, oh abide”

You desert of man...

He has given you a heart of flesh in place of stone
so why does it hollowly drone?
He has given you eternal life instead of death
so where is your purposeful breath?
He has given you all you need to be
so why don’t you live as one who’s been set free?

When the cross stands before you
stained red by His blood

the finished display of His grace
when light beams from the holes
on His hands and His feet
and favor pours from His risen face
why
oh why do you wait?

Oh desert of man
you must lift up your voice and cry
“Abide, oh abide, Lord, abide, oh abide, oh abide”

You desert of man...

The blessing of weighted feet

The dust that’s gathered
©1-9-11 Hannah McLean

Darkened by the smatter
of the world’s defeat
I stumble on the journey
weighted at the feet
And in my clumsy faltering
I finally lift a cry
Pleading to my Father God
“Do not pass me by”

Oh wash away
the dust that’s gathered all along the way
and cleanse me
in Your blood until I’m free

You stand before me open
and offer “here I am”
You would never pass me by
it’s I who’ve turned and ran
I thank You for the weighted feet
that slow my stumbling pace
But now I ask You, “Wash me, Lord
I long to see Your face”

Oh wash away
the dust that’s gathered all along the way
and cleanse me
in Your blood until I’m free

"O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise." Psalm 51:15

Isaiah 6:5–7 And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!" Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for."

lips that deprive You praise
©9-13-10 hannah mclean

forgive me of these lips
that have deprived You praise
when only endless worship
could declare your worth
i lament the words that displace You

woe am i of unclean lips
meet me with the coal
offered on the altar
and extended to Your own

forgive me of these lips
that have deprived You praise
when Your faithfulness shines
on my darkened soul
i lament and flee from idolatry

woe am i of unclean lips
meet me with the coal
offered on the altar
and extended to Your own

on my knees i plead
forgive me
open my lips
that i may declare Your praise

a song of longing and lament

longing for more
©7-22-10 hannah mclean

make me deeper
i’m too shallow
bring life to my fallow ground
wake me from
my dampened stupor
let me hear Your hallowed sound

CHORUS
into Your mercies
Lord, lead me further
into Your glories
Lord, let me see
into Your majesty
Lord, may i marvel
into Your holiness
Lord, set me free

draw me nearer
i’m too distant
move my feet to Your pierced side
pull me from
my lingered roaming
let me in Your love abide
chorus

higher, deeper, fuller, nearer
i long for more of You (repeat as needed)