Katy Perry – Rise

Welcome back, friends, to another episode of The Gospel According to, where we connect the songs and stories we love best with Biblical truths and Scripture passages to deepen our faith and build a platform for sharing the Gospel. This week, I wanted to share a song I found several months ago after hearing it on American Idol: “Rise,” by Katy Perry. It also reminds me of the sheer force of will exerted by Percybeth as they endure the horrors of Tartarus and somehow come out alive (#legendary). This song is empowering on its own, but just wait until you hear what it has to say about victory and perseverance in Christ! Enjoy!

Fandom: “Don’t be surprised, I will still rise.” – Katy Perry

Verses: James 1:2-4, Psalm 37:23-24, Proverbs 24:16, Micah 7:8, 2 Corinthians 3:8-10, 1 Corinthians 15:55-58

Truth: In spite of all the odds and obstacles of life as believers, we have victory in Christ and can persevere.

Fandom: Katy Perry, “Rise”

As I sad above, I first heard this song when a contestant on American Idol sang it for their audition. In fact, she sang it for her second audition; after being rejected the first time, this contestant came back to another city and tried again. And after singing this song, Katy Perry herself gave her a standing ovation. High praise from the one who wrote the song!

Like the act of singing it for its creator, the lyrics of “Rise” are both strong and empowering. In the first verse, she sings, “Victory is in my veins,” as though in defiance of her doubters. In the second verse, she sings, “Victory is in your veins,” as though cheering on or encouraging someone else. The rest of the song is equally powerful, describing the singer’s rise from the edge of death and defeat. Here are some of my favorite lyrics from “Rise” by Katy Perry:

When, when the fire’s at my feet again

And the vultures all start circling

They’re whispering, you’re out of time

But still, I rise

This is no mistake, no accident

When you think the final nail is in, think again

Don’t be surprised, I will still rise.

Katy Perry, “Rise”

Verses on Victory in Jesus

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:2-4 CSB

These verses sum up the overall theme of this song: because of our deeply rooted faith in and dependence on Christ, we can endure any test that we encounter. This is the spirit behind all the hero stories in which they must continue to get up, again and again, even as their enemy continues to hound and attack them. It’s the epitome of what got Percy and Annabeth through Tartarus in The Last Olympian, and part of the reason why so many of the fandom admire them so. And it’s this kind of perseverance that will help us win the daily, constant battle we fight as believers against the Enemy of our souls.

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Love uplifting music? You’ll 😻 these songs!

• Birdy – “Keeping Your Head Up”: Unshakeable Hope and Inimitable Promises
• Bastille’s “Joy” – Protecting Your Mental Health by Relying on the Holy Spirit
• X Ambassadors: a Sure Salvation to Turn to When You’re a Little Unsteady
• The Gospel According to Taylor Swift: Beautiful Daylight 🌄✨🎵

A person’s steps are established by the LORD, and he takes pleasure in his way.

Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the LORD supports him with his hand.

Psalm 34:23-24 CSB

Though a righteous person falls seven times, he will get up, but the wicked will stumble into ruin.

Proverbs 24:16 CSB

Do not rejoice over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will stand up; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.

Micah 7:8 CSB

All of these verses speak about the ability to rise even after falling, and the fact that God holds us up. When the vultures all start circling, they’re whispering/ you’re out of time, but still I rise. Every obstacle that confronts us stands no chance against the God who upholds us.

Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, 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! Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:55-58 CSB

These verses are the ultimate assurance of victory, and they make a great battle cry when the Enemy tempts us despair in our defeat. Because of Christ, we have victory over sin and death. Oh ye of so little faith, don’t doubt it: Victory is in your veins. And He doesn’t just assure us and leave it at that; He commands us to be “steadfast, immovable,” and not to stop working for the Lord until He comes.

Application

To wrap up this post, I wanted to share some action steps or take-aways that I gleaned from this song and these verses:

In response to this truth, I will…

• give thanks for the victory I have in Christ
• encourage fellow believers who are struggling
• Be encouraged to continue working for the Lord, confident that I am victorious and nothing I do for Him is pointless

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post about the song “Rise” by Katy Perry. What did you learn? When have you persevered through a trial or obstacle in your life, and how did you grow as a result?

Happy fangirling!