Story Behind The Song
I was up at the in-laws lake cottage with my guitar and this started working itself out. There was this idea that we are all, sooner or later, and to varying degrees 'broken'. The first line riffs off of the Lord's prayer by stating the obvious - we lead ourselves into temptation but sooner or later that dead end becomes obvious. I wanted to contrast that with what happened when Jesus had those choices, resisted, and in the eyes of the world, was broken. I found the bridge by reflecting on if we surrender to the same 'breaking' we become broken into glory. I felt the minor key nature was needed to give an edginess to it all. That and a stray flat 6th to give a twist of the unexpected.
The band was thrilled to have Oh Lord in 1st round GRAMMY voting in the Best Contemporary Christian Song category for the 66th GRAMMYs.
Song Description
I suppose I like to do the old high school English compare and contrast between human versus divine approaches. The song reflects what we do and where it gets us when we think we can do it all on our own. Verse 2 brings in Jesus and what he did when confronted with a cross that was intended to break him. The bridge and final chorus speaks of how accepting Jesus is the solution that breaks us of our self imposed brokenness.
| Song Length |
3:32 |
Genre |
Unique - Gospel, Unique - Religious |
| Tempo |
Medium Slow (91 - 110) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Content, Delighted |
Subject |
Gratitude, Religion |
| Similar Artists |
Blessing Offor, Danny Gokey |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
(V1) You gave me control of my life I led myself into temptation
I was getting what I deserved Running away from your offered salvation
PRE-CHORUS
And then the time came, I couldn't be the same
CHORUS 1
I was broken, I needed your love
In the depths, of the mess of my own making
Broken, lost, and stuck
The more I took, the more I ended up breaking
(V2)
You were in control of all creation Jesus you refused every temptation
Your grace became a gift I didn't deserve Dying on a cross brought salvation out of loss
PRE-CHORUS2
When that time came, nothing was the same
CHORUS 2
You were broken, descended to the depths
The chains of death ended up breaking
Broken, sin overcome
When You rose salvation offered for our taking
BRIDGE
- 2X
When I surrendered to the Savior here's what happened, I was broken of my me first ways
Got rebuilt by a love I didn't deserve, shouting to all my grateful praise
shouting to all my grateful praise......
CHORUS 3
I was broken, then rebuilt by your love
Made clean again, washed by the blood
Broken, from my sin stained days
Broken into your glorious ways
(tag)
I was broken ...... and finally whole
Rebuilt to live as cre-ated