Shema Yisrael
Released July 2, 2025 — by Dom
About This Song
Shema Yisrael (Hear O Israel) is a worship song that combines the ancient Jewish confession of faith from Deuteronomy 6:4 with the heart of apprenticeship to Jesus Christ.
The song was born in a Tel Aviv bomb shelter during the 2025 missile attacks — a moment of fear and uncertainty turned into a cry of surrender, unity, and devotion to the one true God.
It carries the sound of exile and homecoming, of continuity and hope — connecting the faith of ancient Israel with the worship of the Church today.
Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad.
Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4)
Lyrics
Full lyrics are included in the chord sheets below.
Key Themes:
- The oneness and unity of God
- Faith in times of crisis and exile
- Continuity between Old and New Covenant worship
- Surrender and devotion to Jesus as Lord
- Hope and homecoming in God's presence
Biblical Foundations
This song is rooted in Deuteronomy 6:4, known as the Shema — the central declaration of Jewish faith for over three thousand years:
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might."
(Deuteronomy 6:4-5, ESV)
Jesus himself affirmed the Shema as the greatest commandment (Mark 12:29-30), uniting Jewish and Christian worship around the same foundational truth: there is one God, and He alone deserves our wholehearted devotion.
The song also draws on themes of exile and hope found throughout Scripture:
- Psalm 137 — Longing for home in the midst of exile
- Jeremiah 29:11-14 — God's promise to restore and bring His people home
- Hebrews 11:13-16 — The faith of exiles seeking a heavenly homeland
For a deeper theological exploration, download the biblical foundations document below.
Suggested Usage
This song works well for:
- Opening or closing worship — A declaration of faith and unity
- Prayer and meditation — Especially in times of crisis or uncertainty
- Lament and hope — Bridging grief and trust in God's faithfulness
- Ecumenical gatherings — Uniting believers across traditions around core biblical truth
- Teaching on the Shema — Complementing sermons on Deuteronomy 6 or Mark 12
Downloads
Audio Recording
Listen and download the raw recording in F Major:
Chord Sheets
Download chord sheets with full lyrics in multiple keys:
- Shema Yisrael — F Major (PDF) or DOCX (editable)
- Shema Yisrael — G Major (PDF) or DOCX (editable)
- Shema Yisrael — A Major (PDF) or DOCX (editable)
Biblical Foundations
Theological background, scripture references, and historical context:
English biblical foundations coming soon.
Multitrack Stems
Individual instrument tracks for recording and production — coming soon.
How to Use This Song
You're free to use this song without permission or licensing fees. You can:
- Sing it in worship services, gatherings, or personal devotion
- Record and distribute your own version
- Translate it into other languages
- Adapt the arrangement to fit your context
- Share it freely with other worship leaders and churches
See our Licensing & Usage page for full details. For practical tips on teaching new songs, visit our How to Use guide.