HE WILL HOLD ME FAST
congregational songs by Matt Merker
Matt Merker writes Christ-centered songs for churches. His goal is to compose hymns that express glorious truths about God with singable, timeless melodies. Matt’s music reflects the full spectrum of the Christian life, from sorrowful yearning to joyful hope. He prays that songs like “He Will Hold Me Fast,” “I Will Wait for You (Psalm 130),” and “Christ Our Hope in Life and Death” would encourage and comfort God's people.
God brought Matt to saving faith at a young age, and Matt has been leading corporate worship through song since he was a teenager. A native of Long Island, NY, he studied religion and music at Vanderbilt University and later earned a Master of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has performed classical, rock, pop and jazz in a variety of contexts, but his favorite musical setting is leading congregational singing with his church.
Matt is Director of Creative Resources and Training for Getty Music. Previously, he served on the pastoral staff and as an elder of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC. He is married to Erica, and they have one daughter and one son. The Merkers are members of Trinity Church and live in Nashville, TN. You can find Matt on Twitter @MerkerMatt.
Stay posted for news of Matt's forthcoming book, Corporate Worship: The Church Gathers as God's People. Here are several of his articles:
Matt Merker writes Christ-centered songs for churches. His goal is to compose hymns that express glorious truths about God with singable, timeless melodies. Matt’s music reflects the full spectrum of the Christian life, from sorrowful yearning to joyful hope. He prays that songs like “He Will Hold Me Fast,” “I Will Wait for You (Psalm 130),” and “Christ Our Hope in Life and Death” would encourage and comfort God's people.
Matt's hymns have been recorded by artists including Keith and Kristyn Getty, Sandra McCracken, Selah, Shane & Shane, Sovereign Grace Music, and more. He had the joy of leading singing with over 10,000 pastors at the final Together for the Gospel conference in 2022, and you can sing along with the live album from that event and download free piano sheet music for each song.
God brought Matt to faith in Christ at a young age, and Matt has been leading corporate worship through song since he was a teenager. A native of Long Island, NY, he studied religion and music at Vanderbilt University and later earned a Master of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has performed classical, rock, pop and jazz in a variety of contexts, but his favorite musical setting is leading congregational singing with his church.
Matt is Director of Creative Resources and Training for Getty Music. He and his wife, Erica, have one daughter and one son. The Merkers are members of Edgefield Church in East Nashville, TN, where Matt also serves as Director of Congregational Singing. Previously, he served on the pastoral staff and as an elder of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC.
Matt's book, Corporate Worship: How the Church Gathers as God's People (Crossway/9Marks) is now available.
Matt has also written several articles on corporate worship: