Nashville singer-songwriter Andrew Ripp isn't afraid to share his struggles and victories with others. In fact, in January 2022, Andrew celebrated his 14th sobriety anniversary (You can hear his heart in his hit song, “Jericho,” from his album, Evergreen).
He says, “I aim to write the most honest music I can. And yes, some songs are more spiritual than others. It’s a part of my story. And I refuse to keep in the shadows just to make sure my music is more ‘accessible.’ In today’s world, themes of love, redemption, and overcoming adversity are songs we all need to hear.”
The artist's latest song, Fill My Cup, exhibits his gift of relating the challenges of life and the need for a savior. The soulful pop anthem is a preview of Andrew's forthcoming full-length album. I had the chance to speak with Andrew before his concert with veteran contemporary band MercyMe about his latest song, “Fill My Cup.”
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
The writing process for this song is non-traditional: I live out an experience and then write a song about it. With “Fill My Cup,” it was different. My friend, the songwriter Thad Cockrell, one of my favorite artists, first wrote and recorded the song.
We’ve been friends since 2016 and 2017. He lived near me, and we hung out a lot. I thought I was done with music and had sold my guitar. It was a quiet season since I wasn’t writing songs.
Thad had a dream where country icon Johnny Cash sat at the foot of his bed and said, “I’ve been walking to a city that I cannot see,” and cut to six years later, my song “Jericho” had come out and I had a vision of a little version of me as a kid walking through darkness with a lantern and it seemed like it was from the Lord. One day I get in the car, and my phone plays Thad singing in that line.
I thought of that vision I had of walking through the darkness where I couldn’t see. I called up Thad to discuss the song (it wasn’t mine yet). I hadn’t touched it or put my story into the song yet. Together, we wrote this song. I reworked the verses and chorus and wrote a bridge.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV): “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Hebrews 11:1 (NLT): "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."
Romans 8:28 (NKJV): "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
Colossians 3:12 (VOICE): "Since you are all set apart by God, made holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a holy way of life: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."
1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV): “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
Romans 15:13 (NIV): "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Psalm 145:1-3 (VOICE): “I will lift my praise above everything to You, my God and King! I will continually bless Your name forever and always. My praise will never cease—I will praise You every day; I will lift up Your name forever. The Eternal is great and deserves endless praise; His greatness knows no limit, recognizes no boundary. No one can measure or comprehend His magnificence.”
What is the takeaway message?
It’s not very complicated. At times we overcomplicate how we pray in the Spirit of God. If you spend a lot of time with the Lord, He wants to fill you with love, joy, and peace. Those are His spiritual gifts. That’s where I was going with this song. Yes, I want the Lord to fill my cup.
How do you do that? You get alone with Him and have quiet time with Him. You eat the truth. A grapevine doesn’t try to produce grapes. It stays connected to the source and it produces fruit. That’s how we get spiritual fruit. We stay connected to God and He gives us His spiritual fruit.
Stay connected to God and have good soil. It’s not about trying to make it happen. There’s only way place we can go to get filled up, and that’s the Lord. He wants to give us good gifts. That’s what this song is about. Stay connected to God and receive His fruit. He wants us to be filled with love, joy, and peace. My career started when I was doing nothing. Surrender to Him.
Lyrics
Been walkin' to a city I cannot see (ooh, ooh) Through the depths of the valley where the sun can't reach (ooh, ooh) I've been high, I've been low I've been looking for the river that could fill my soul Been walkin' to a city I cannot see (oh-oh-oh)
Fill my cup, Lord Run it over Give me love, give me joy Give me peace (oh-oh-oh) Fill my cup, Lord Run it over I am Your child in need Lord, I need You (oh-oh-oh)
Fill my cup (oh-oh) Fill my cup (oh-oh) Fill my cup (oh-oh) Fill my cup (oh-oh) Fill my cup
Been walkin' over lies standin' in my way (oh, oh) They can say they want; I don't want what they say (oh, oh) I was born far from home But I've been thriving in the wonder of the great unknown 'Cause I'm drinking from a well from another place (oh-oh-oh), ooh
Fill my cup, Lord Run it over Give me love, give me joy Give me peace (oh-oh-oh) Fill my cup, Lord Run it over I am Your child in need Lord, I need You (oh-oh-oh)
Fill my cup (oh-oh) Fill my cup (oh-oh) Fill my cup (oh-oh) Fill my cup (oh-oh) Fill my cup
Fill my house up with hoping Fill my plans up with purpose Fill my rooms up with healing (oh-oh-oh) Lord, I need You (to fill my cup) Fill my days up with meaning Fill my future with vision Goodness, grace, and provision (oh-oh-oh) Lord, I need You (to fill my cup)
And when I get to that city that I cannot see I'll know that even this valley was a golden stream (oh-oh-oh)
Fill my cup, Lord Run it over Give me love, give me joy Give me peace (oh-oh-oh) Fill my cup, Lord Run it over I am Your child in need Lord, I need You (oh-oh-oh)
To fill my cup (oh, fill my house up with hoping) Fill my cup (oh, fill my plans up with purpose) Fill my cup (oh, fill my rooms up with healing) Lord, I need You (To fill my cup)
Fill my cup (oh, fill my days up with meaning) Fill my cup (oh, fill my future with vision) Fill my cup (oh, goodness, grace, and provision) Lord, I need You (to fill my cup)
Closing Thoughts
"Fill My Cup" has been resonating with me as I realize Jesus commands me to trust God completely—no matter my circumstances, personal distractions, or concerns.
Andrew Ripp sings with an amazing passion, with unashamed praise and gratitude to the savior. Something that’s inspiring and emotionally moving. This song of encouragement is poignant and powerful, with earnest, worshipful lyrics.
While listening to this song, you’ll feel you’re eavesdropping on Andrew’s prayer. It might prompt you to pray. A chance for you to ask God to break your pride, live redemption's story, and move closer to whom you are in Christ.
This song reflects the joy you receive when you fully submit yourself to God. Having faith and trust in Jesus’ ability to lift you—no matter your circumstances.
Sometimes people think that worship is something they do at an event, at church, or only through music. Worship should be intelligent. Something we put our "worth-ship" in, not something we do by going through the motions mindlessly.
More than just intellectual assent, God wants to be at the center of your heart's desires. Humans change their minds quickly, but their hearts are more devoted.
Mark 12:30 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Not an easy feat. My daily prayer is an ask for God to inhabit me with the fruits of the Holy Spirit: "love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, gentleness, kindness, and self-control."
Let God change you to be more like Jesus and move closer to His glory. Don’t be ashamed to sing of your dependence on God and to show Him reverence.
Join in and sing along with your breath, given by God: “Fill my cup, Lord/Run it over/Give me love, give me joy, give me peace/Fill my cup, Lord/Run it over/I am your child in need/Lord, I need You to fill my cup.” Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a longtime fan of Christian music, and an avid music collector. He credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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