Jericho

Andrew Ripp is a Chicago-born singer-songwriter who after releasing five albums and touring with the likes of Sara Bareilles, Plain White T's, Andy Grammer, and Judah and the Lion, took a hiatus from the music scene. This song is the lead radio single from Evergreen, his first album in six years.

The Old Testament account of the Israelites capturing the Canaanite city of Jericho inspired the song. Chapter six of the Old Testament book of Joshua recounts how Joshua, the leader of the Israelite tribes after the death of Moses, led the Israelites across the Jordan River into the land God had promised them. Jericho was the first city they came across, and with its fortified walls up to 25 feet high and 20 feet thick, it was a symbol of military power and strength – the Canaanites considered it invincible. But God told Joshua that Jericho was already delivered into his hands, and after marching round the city seven times, the walls collapsed. The traditional African American spiritual "Joshua Fought The Battle Of Jericho" tells the same Biblical story.

Ripp parallels the story of Joshua putting his trust in God with his own everyday battles. He recounts how once he put his belief in Christ, all his fears came tumbling down like Jericho's walls. "The story of Jericho has always been super inspiring to me, which is why I wanted to turn it into a song," said Ripp. "The part that really draws me in is when God says to Joshua, 'See I have given you the city.' It wasn't the marching around the walls of Jericho that made them fall, it was the moment Joshua BELIEVED God over his circumstance that the city became his. Marching was just an exercise in faith and obedience. I have found this to be true over many fears that try to steal my freedom. All of my fears like Jericho walls have gotta come down! All I need to do is believe what God says over my circumstance and then obey His word."