Above All

This contemporary hymn was written in 1995 by Lenny LeBlanc and Paul Baloche. LeBlanc explained in CCM Magazine presents 100 Greatest Songs In Christian Music why he thinks this song has connected with so many churchgoers: "I think because it's such a beautiful picture of how a God that is above everything would become like a rose trampled on the ground, take the fall and think of us… above all."

Michael W Smith's version on his Worship set, is the best known recording of this contemporary hymn. The singer-songwriter originally came across this song, when he was looking for material to sing at President Bush's 2001 inaugural prayer service. He recalled in CCM Magazine presents 100 Greatest Songs In Christian Music: "I knew the whole thing was going to be somewhat traditional. I was just trying to find something that leaned a little bit contemporary, but I couldn't find anything. So I started going through all these worship CDs I get in the mail. And then on the third CD I listened to, I ran across 'Above All.' I had never heard it. And I'll never forget going, 'That's what I'm singing in Washington.'" Smith added: "I even had cheat sheets on the piano because I had never sung it live before. I had not memorized it, so I had to pull these things out of my pocket and lay them on the piano-very unprofessional. But I was determined to sing it."

Smith said that he believes President Bush received the song well, "because every time I see the President, he wants me to play it."