By Faith

Theology & Meaning

By Faith, written by Keith and Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend and recorded by CityAlight among others, is a sustained meditation on Hebrews 11 — the great catalog of those who 'lived by faith and not by sight.' The song places the congregation in the same lineage as Abraham, Moses, and the cloud of witnesses, and invites them to own their place in the ongoing story of faith. The final verses turn toward eschatology — the city God has prepared, the promised inheritance — which gives the song a forward motion that anchors present perseverance in certain future hope.

Worship Leadership Tips

This is one of the most congregationally powerful modern hymns on the subject of faith, and it rewards use in series on Hebrews, on church history, or at memorial services where the theme of joining the cloud of witnesses is especially poignant. The march-like feel makes it well-suited to processional moments — entering a sanctuary, baptismal processions, or the beginning of a new church year. Allow the congregation to hear all the verses; the theological scope builds over the course of the song in a way that cannot be captured by singing only the chorus.

Arrangement Tips

The hymn-like feel calls for a confident, steady arrangement rather than a gradual build. Piano is the natural driver, with full band entering at or before the first chorus. The CityAlight recording gives it a full-bodied, authentic sound that avoids both the overly traditional stiffness of some hymn settings and the superficiality of some contemporary praise treatments. Aim for that balance — reverent but not stiff, accessible but not lightweight. If you can, include all five verses over the course of a set rather than cramming them into a single pass.

Scripture References

• Hebrews 11:1-40
• Hebrews 12:1-2
• Romans 4:18-21
• 2 Corinthians 5:7