Although there are many, here are the top 100 black church sayings and their meanings within black church worship and culture. Although it may surprise some, there are plenty more which can be added to this list so why weren’t they?
These sayings, although biblically based, are exclusively used by the black church, in general, and the others are hardly different from a direct scripture quote. Although it is not a bad thing, I wanted this list to be authentically us and still based on scripture.
If I left anything out, add it in the comment section and the article will be updated. Also, visit my blog for Christian Discipleship articles which will prepare you for this warfare.
Church Sayings 1-20
1. “God don’t make no mistakes!”
Meaning: Everything happens for a divine reason, even the hard stuff.
2. “I’m blessed and highly favored!”
Meaning: God’s grace sets me apart—humble brag with faith.
3. “He’ll fix it!”
Meaning: God’s got the solution, no matter how big the mess.
4. “Take your time, preacher!”
Meaning: Encouragement to let the sermon simmer—don’t rush the spirit.
5. “Order my steps, Lord!”
Meaning: Prayer for guidance, straight from Psalm 119 vibes.
6. “The Lord will make a way somehow!”
Meaning: Hope in the unknown—God’s got a plan.
7. “You can’t beat God givin’!”
Meaning: God’s blessings outmatch anything you offer Him.
8. “It’s tight, but it’s right!”
Meaning: That sounds harsh, but the Bible says it.
9. “He’s my rock in a Weary Land, Shelter in the Time of Storm!”
Meaning: God’s the steady foundation when everything else shakes.
10. “Don’t let the devil ride!”
Meaning: Don’t give negativity a foothold—kick his tail out in Jesus Name.
11. “I’m covered by the blood!”
Meaning: Jesus’ sacrifice protects me from all hurt, harm, and eternal danger.
12. “Well, shut my mouth!”
Meaning: Playful shock at God’s goodness—too much to say.
13. “Give Him the praise anyhow!”
Meaning: Worship despite the pain—echoes “Hallelujah anyhow.”
14. “He’s a keeper!”
Meaning: God holds you close, won’t let you fall.
15. “Run on and see what the end gon’ be!”
Meaning: Keep pushing—God’s got a surprise finish.
16. “I got a right to praise Him!”
Meaning: Earned my worship through what He’s done.
17. “That’s word!”
Meaning: Sermon or advice hit the soul just right—truth confirmed.
18 “He turned it around for ya!”
Meaning: God flipped a bad situation for good—Romans 8:28 energy.
19. “You Can’t Make Me Doubt Him Cuz I Know Too Much About Him.”
Meaning: Rhetorical delight in God’s work—can’t argue with it because I have too much experience to believe otherwise.
20. “We’re more than conquerors!”
Meaning: Victory is ours through Christ—straight from scripture.
Church Quotes 21-40
“Won’t He Do It?”
· Meaning: God will do what He promises and you know it.
22. “I Don’t Know What You Came to Do!”
· Meaning: Whatever you came here to do is your business. I am here to praise Jesus.
23. “Have I A Witness?”
· Meaning: Typically used by a preacher encouraging the congregation to affirm the truth of a statement.
24. “I Know He’s Alright.”
· Meaning: A personal testimony from a preacher when winding up the sermon with the classical “whooping”.
25. “Yall Don’t Hear Me!”
· Meaning: Typically used by a speaker to affirm that the congregation is listening and actively involved with the preaching.
26. “I Got Preached Under the Pew!”
· Meaning: This is a compliment to the perceived quality of a sermon as I witnessed Dr. Frantz T. Whitfield do to me.
27. “That Preacher is a Slow-Walker”
· Meaning: This is meant in a derogative manner amongst black preachers to indicate a slow-paced, non-theatric sermon was delivered.
28. “He Done Came Down My Alley.”
· Meaning: When something is said during the service which produces Holy Ghost conviction to someone.
29. “Somebody Say Ouch!”
· Meaning: A Preacher says this to gauge if what was said in the moment hit home or came down someone’s alley.
30. “If He Brought You to It, He Will Bring You Through It.”
· Meaning: God doesn’t place us into situations He cannot get us out of.
31. “Ain’t Nothin’ Too Hard for Our God”
· Meaning: A reminder that God is sovereign and can do as He pleases.
32. “We Gonna Make It Down to The Jordan River.”
· Meaning: Like the Israelites in the time of Moses and Joshua, the promised land was on the other side of the Jordan River and to us, this is Heaven.
33. “I Have Been Buked, Scorned, Lied On, and Talked About.”
· Meaning: Being mistreated is a part of the Christian life and made popular in an old gospel song by the legendary Mahalia Jackson.
34. “Jesus Got Up While The Dew Was Still on Them Roses.”
· Meaning: This is in reference to Jesus’s early morning resurrection.
35. “I Been In This Storm Too Long”
· Meaning: My suffering seems to have no expiration date.
36. “We Come This Far By Faith”
· Meaning: Meant to remind us that it is only faith in Jesus have we endured.
37. “God is Good All the Time, and All the Time God is Good.”
· Meaning: There is never a moment when God is not righteous even when disciplining humankind.
38. “God is a Heart Fixer, and a Mind-Regulator”
· Meaning: The Lord will provide balance to His people.
39. “Give An Honor to God, Who I The Head of My Life.”
· Meaning: An opening salutation when a layperson is addressing the congregation.
40. “Grab Your Neighbor By The Hand and Say…”
· Meaning: Used during the sermon wind up time to encourage participation in the close-out portion (whooping) of the preaching.
Old Black Church Quotes 41-60
41. “Ohhh, Is There Anybody Here..”
· Meaning: The launch point for the black preacher’s ‘tune-up’ to singing the end of a sermon.
42. “Jesus is a Lawyer in a Courtroom, and a Doctor in the Sick Room.”
· Meaning: Indicates that there is no need, even beyond these two, that God cannot provide.
43. “I’m Gonna Press My Way Through.”
· Meaning: No obstacle will stand in the way of getting to the Lord.
44. “You Don’t Know Like I Know What the Lawd Has Done for Me.”
· Meaning: No one will ever understand how God God is to me.
45. “That Old Devil Thought He Had Me, but for God..”
· Meaning: The enemy had me just about beat yet God rescued me.
46. “He is My Wheel, in the Middle of a Wheel!”
· Meaning: God is my guiding force within life’s complexities.
47. “Yall Done Got Quiet But I’m Gonna Keep Preaching Anyhow”
Meaning: Even if the congregation loses energy, the preacher will persist.
48. “Preach, Preacher, Preach!”
Meaning: An encouragement for the preacher to continue delivering the message with passion and/or affirming a Word is about to go forth.
49. “God Ain’t Using No Coward Soldiers Now”
· Meaning: God calls faithful people to serve Him and like Gideon, if you are not brave, the Lord will provide the courage required.
50. “These are Your Announcements So Govern Yourselves Accordingly.”
· Meaning: Take responsibility for the information shared and act appropriately.
51. “Tell the Truth and Shame The Devil!”
· Meaning: Speaking honestly exposes and defeats evil.
52. “I’m a Saint With Sinner Problems”
· Meaning: I’m saved but still struggle with human flaws.
53. “Jesus Got Up On That Old Ruggedy Cross”
Meaning: Jesus willingly sacrificed Himself on the cross for humanity.
54. “The Lord Picked Me Up, Turned Me Around, and Shot My Feet on Solid Ground.”
Meaning: God lifted me, transformed me, and gave me stability.
55. “He Done Preached Me Silly!”
Meaning: The preacher’s message was so powerful it left me full spiritually.
56. “Did You Hear Me?”
Meaning: A call to ensure the message was received and understood.
57. “Oh Lord, You The Father of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
Meaning: Praising God as the eternal, ancestral deity of the faithful.
58. “Ain’t Nothin Too Hard for My God!”
Meaning: God’s power has no limits.
59. “We Gotta Seek Ye First The Kingdom of God and Lean Not to Our Own Understanding.”
Meaning: The most well-known Bible verse in the black church, Proverbs 3:5-6.
60. “Da Lord Move in Mysterious Ways Yall.”
Meaning: God works in unexpected and wondrous ways.
Church Quotes That Inspire 61-80
“He’s An Ontime God, Yes He Is.”
Meaning: God always delivers help right when it’s needed.
“When Praises Go Up, Blessing Come Down.”
Meaning: Worshiping God brings His favor.
“I’m Smoothing Up the Rough Side (of the mountain).”
Meaning: I’m overcoming life’s challenges with faith.
“Jesus is On the Mainline.”
Meaning: Jesus is always accessible, like a direct line of communication.
“I am Blessed and Highly Favored.”
Meaning: I’m grateful for God’s abundant grace and love.
“I am God’s Favorite Child.”
Meaning: I feel specially cherished by God. This is incorrect biblically because God doesn't show favoritsm and loves all the same.
“Can’t Nobody Tell Me Nothin’ Bout My God!”
Meaning: My faith in God is unshakable and personal.
I’m Going Up Yonder to Be With Da Lawd.”
Meaning: I’m destined for heaven to join God.
“I Want Jesus to Rock Me to Sleep.”
Meaning: I seek Jesus’ comfort and peace.
“I Done Crossed That Separating Line.”
Meaning: I’ve fully committed to a life of faith.
“Keep Your Eyes on the Prize and Hold On.”
Meaning: Stay focused on salvation and persevere.
“I Got a Testimony!”
Meaning: I have a personal story of God’s goodness to share.
“Momma and Daddy Can’t Get You There.”
Meaning: Salvation is an individual journey, not inherited.
“Although Weeping May Endure for a Night, Joy Will Come in the Mornin.’”
Meaning: Hard times are temporary; God brings relief.
“I Am So Glad That Trouble Don’t Last Always.”
Meaning: Difficulties pass with God’s help.
“When We Get There, We Ain’t Never Growing Old.”
Meaning: Eternal life in heaven is ageless.
“You Better Not Mess With My Press!”
Meaning: Don’t interfere with my spiritual progress or blessings.
“The Battle Is Not Yours, It’s The Lord’s.”
Meaning: God fights our struggles for us.
“But By the Grace of the Lord, There Go I.”
Meaning: Only God’s mercy keeps me from ruin.
“Wait on the Lord and He Will Fix it For You.”
Meaning: Be patient; God will resolve your troubles.
Black Church Old Time Quotes 81-100
“Hold Onto God’s Unchanging Hand.”
Meaning: Rely on God's constant, steady, and loving support.
"I Know There is a God Somewhere."
Meaning: Life experience has made me certain an unseen God exists.
“Ride On King Jesus!”
Meaning: A cheer for Jesus’ triumphant power.
“We Serve a God That Sits High and Looks Low.”
Meaning: God is exalted yet watches over all.
“I Been in the Storm Too Long.”
Meaning: I’ve endured hardships for a while and need relief.
“I’m Keeping My Mind Stayed on Jesus.”
Meaning: I’m focusing my thoughts on Christ for strength.
“Jesus is My Doctor and Writes Out All My Scriptions (Prescriptions).”
Meaning: Jesus heals me spiritually and physically.
“I Gotta Get to That Land Flowing With Milk and Honey.”
Meaning: I’m striving for the promised land of abundance.
“Sometimes You Gotta Cry in the Midnight Hour.”
Meaning: Prayer and tears in dark times bring solace.
“Don’t Be So Heavenly Minded That You Ain’t No Earthly Good.”
Meaning: Balance faith with practical action.
“Give Folk They Flowers Now Before It Is Everlasting Too Late.”
Meaning: Appreciate people while they’re still alive.
“I Know This Is a Funeral But God Is Still Good.”
Meaning: Even in loss, God’s goodness remains.
“If He Don’t Never Do Another Thing, He’s Done Enough.”
Meaning: God’s past blessings are sufficient.
“If I Had 10,000 Tongues, I Couldn’t Praise Him Enough.”
Meaning: God deserves endless praise beyond my capacity.
“Soon I Will Be Done With The Troubles of This World.”
Meaning: Relief from earthly struggles is near.
“I’m Getting on That Old Ship Where King Jesus Is the Captain.”
Meaning: I’m joining Jesus’ crew for salvation.
“You Better Give God Some Hand Praise Up In Here!”
Meaning: Clap and praise God actively.
“Yall Sitting There Like the Lord Ain’t Done Nothin’ For Ya.”
Meaning: Show gratitude for God’s blessings.
“They Hung Him High and Stretched Him Wide.”
Meaning: Describes Jesus’ crucifixion vividly
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