Aaron Keyes - Holy Surrender Lyrics
Lyrics
I've done it again, I've given in, To the very sin that breaks your heart
Now I return, fix my eyes on you, That's not who I am, Not who I am in You
You say I'm your child, chosen one and friend
You Love me with a love I'll never comprehend
You call me Masterpiece, your Poetry; Your holy place, in You, complete
Lord I give to You, All I am
In holy surrender
Jesus, take my life, Make it yours
I need only remember
Hands Spread that broke bread,
Blood Shed, You dropped dead
In Your death, I see True life (or Your Heart), wholly surrendered for me
Alt. Chorus
Lord we give to You all we have, here in holy surrender
Jesus take your place, rightfully yours, We enthrone You forever
With Hands Spread, Hearts Fed (or Tears Shed), You are Exalted
In our lives please see Our hearts wholly surrendered to Thee
Video
Holy Surrender
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on December 19, 2003, as part of the album *Because*, Aaron Keyes' "Holy Surrender" is a profound journey into the heart of Christian discipleship, offering a deeply personal and ultimately communal testament to the transformative power of grace. The song wastes no time in diving into the human condition, beginning with a raw admission of repeated failure and sin, articulating the all-too-common experience of succumbing to temptations that wound the Divine heart. This immediate honesty sets the stage for a narrative of repentance, a conscious turning away from self-condemnation and back towards the steadfast gaze of God, acknowledging that the missteps do not define the true identity found in Christ. It's a powerful echo of the struggle described in Romans 7, where the spirit longs to do good but the flesh gives in to sin, yet the hope found in Christ remains the ultimate anchor.
From this place of vulnerable return, the song beautifully pivots to God's unwavering affirmation, painting a vivid picture of divine love and acceptance. The lyrics unfold a cascade of tender titles God bestows upon His creation: "child," "chosen one," "friend," "Masterpiece," "Poetry," and "holy place." These aren't just flattering labels; they are profound theological declarations. To be called a "child" evokes the adoption promised in Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:5-7, signifying intimate relationship and an inheritance. "Chosen one" resonates with 1 Peter 2:9, identifying believers as a royal priesthood and a holy nation. "Friend" mirrors John 15:15, where Jesus calls His followers friends rather than servants. Perhaps most strikingly, "Masterpiece" (the Greek word *poiema*, from which we get 'poem') directly references Ephesians 2:10, declaring that we are God's handiwork, created anew in Christ Jesus for good works. This segment of the song serves as a vital reminder that our identity is not formed by our failures but by God's eternal love and His creative purpose, a love so vast and incomprehensible that Ephesians 3:18-19 calls us to grasp its width, length, height, and depth.
The core of the song, "holy surrender," emerges as a natural response to this overwhelming grace and unconditional identity. It’s not a coerced or defeated yielding, but a sacred, willing offering of one's entire self—"all I am"—to Jesus. This act of surrender is portrayed as a deliberate choice to allow Christ to take ownership of one's life, a commitment to live no longer for oneself but for Him who died and rose again, as articulated in Galatians 2:20. The remembrance of Christ's sacrifice is central to this surrender: "Hands Spread that broke bread, Blood Shed, You dropped dead." This evocative imagery instantly transports the heart to the Last Supper and the cross, recalling the broken body and shed blood of Jesus, the ultimate act of self-giving love. In His death, the song declares, we truly see "True life" or "Your Heart," wholly surrendered for us. This paradox of finding life through death is a foundational Christian truth, echoed in John 12:24 where Jesus speaks of a seed dying to bear much fruit, and Romans 6:4 where we are buried with Him in baptism to walk in newness of life. It’s a call to count our lives as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, as instructed in Romans 12:1.
The alternate chorus expands this personal dedication into a corporate act of worship and commitment, shifting from "I" to "we." Here, the collective body of believers proclaims their communal "holy surrender," offering "all we have." This communal response isn't just about individual salvation but about building a kingdom where Christ reigns supreme. "Jesus take your place, rightfully yours, We enthrone You forever" articulates the collective desire to see Christ exalted and sovereign in every aspect of life, fulfilling the prayer "Your kingdom come, Your will be done." This act of enthronement, a recognition of His rightful authority, is accompanied by "Hands Spread, Hearts Fed," which symbolizes both openhanded worship and spiritual nourishment received from Him, potentially even "Tears Shed" in repentance and adoration. The song culminates in a collective plea for God to see "Our hearts wholly surrendered to Thee," reinforcing that true worship is not merely outward display but an inward posture of complete devotion and obedience. "Holy Surrender" serves as an enduring anthem for the believer, guiding the heart from the valley of sin to the mountain of divine identity, and finally to the altar of complete and joyful submission, forever drawing us back to the source of all life and purpose.