Feeling unseen in a tough season? Meet El Roi, the God who sees you.
This fall has been one of the most challenging times in my life—losing my job unjustly, juggling substitute teaching, submitting job applications, adjusting budgets, and praying constantly. And even though being unemployed majorly sucks, I’ve been committed to clinging to God as much as possible and seeking wisdom/direction from Him. The ups and downs of this season inspired me to do something a little different from my normal Bible note-taking and bootleg psalm writing.
I wrote a song.
I poured my heart into writing this lament-style worship song that’s based on one of the names of God. Inspired by Hagar’s story in Genesis 16:13, where she calls God “El Roi,” this song (entitled “He Sees Me (El Roi”) is a reminder of God’s constant presence in our valleys and the hope that He gives us.
As you listen, remember these three things:
God hears your cries.
He sees your struggles.
And He is working in your life even when you can’t see it.
Also, for a fun twist, I used AI to create the audio for this song—perfect for anyone curious about how technology is intersecting with Christian music. The lyrics were all written by me, but I used Suno AI to give them some life in the genre/style I envisioned for the song. So dive in, and let this song speak to your heart today.
“He Sees Me (El Roi)” (Worship Song)
Lyrics by Kristen Reed-Belveal (Copyright 2024)
VERSE 1
My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth
as I cast my eyes from the north to the south
looking for water to soothe my soul
Does he see me? Does he see me
My eyes weep in the deepest dark
As the world’s troubles make their mark
Does he see me? Does he see me?
CHORUS
(He sees me) He will wipe the tears from every weeping eye
(He sees me) He will end the pain behind my deepest cry
He will sustain me
El roi
VERSE 2
My bones break from the weight of sin
As I sink under this massive burden
Looking for something to lift my soul
Does He see me? Does He see me?
My feet ache on the darkest trail
As my heart faints and my flesh fails
Does He see me? Does He see me?
CHORUS
(He sees me) He will wipe the tears from every weeping eye
(He sees me) He will end the pain behind my deepest cry
He will sustain me
El roi
BRIDGE
In the desert in the drought
In my wrestling and in my doubt
In my trauma and in my lack
when the devil’s breathing down my back
and everything seems bleak and black
God is the light and my salvation
He is the breath behind all creation
He might bend but He won’t break
He’ll preserve a remnant for His name’s sake
In the darkness He shines bright
He sustains me, His burden is light
I can be brought high, and face every low
He’s with me everywhere I go
So even when life seems like hell
I can say with my soul “It is well”
Because He loves me and He is holy
CHORUS
(He sees me) He will wipe the tears from every weeping eye
(He sees me) He will end the pain behind my deepest cry
He will sustain me
El roi