Marsha Jarrett’s Send Up The Praise, a song inspired by personal adversity, won the 2016 Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s Gospel Song Competition Sunday.

“I was sick for over 12 years and I decided that whether or not God healed me, he deserved to be praised,” Jarrett told the

Jamaica Observer shortly after her win at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre.

It was her fourth time in the annual contest.

“I entered again because I realised I have a message that somebody can identify with. The lyrics needed to be heard to serve as encouragement to others and that’s what Bible of God is about,” she said.

Jarrett attends the United Life Line Deliverance Church of God in St Ann’s Bay and has been a Christian for 13 years. She is a graduate of Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville.

She won $400,000 and a trophy, as well as four sectional prizes: Best Musicianship, Best Performance, Social Media Award and Best Arrangement.

Runner-up was Filicia Morrison Williams with Can You Reach Me. She was awarded $250,000 and won the Spirit Of Praise Award.

Third place went to Sherlon Russell with Jesus Lives In Me. He collected $150,000 and a trophy.

The show got underway shortly after 7:00 pm. The sizeable audience enjoyed performances from Rev Glen Graham; 2015 winner Diamara Walker; and a dance item from the Laud Dance Ministry.

Before performing their songs, the finalists appeared in a presentation with the In One-A-Chord & Evolution band.

The other finalists were Derona Nunes-Davis (Glory From This); Triciana Simpson (When You Call Me); Vitalyte (Banking In Jesus); KAZAK Ministry (Live And Declare); Omar Douglas (Stop It); Orville Sutherland (Silver And Gold); and Jessan Nembhard (Thank You).