You take what is
And you make it beautiful
When love floods in,
Were resorted forever more
With breath it brings the dead to life,
With words that pierce the dark with light
Only by the blood are we set free.
With mercy strong to carry shame
and nail it to a tree You alone
hold the power to redeem.
No guilt competes
with innocence crucified.
No grave can hold what your grace has justified.
With breath it brings the dead to life,
With words that pierce the dark with light
Only by the blood are we set free.
With mercy strong to carry shame
and nail it to a tree You alone
hold the power to redeem.
Rejoice oh child of God
Lift your eyes to see
With every morning light,
Again we are redeemed
x2
With breath it brings the dead to life,
With words that pierce the dark with light
Only by the blood are we set free.
With mercy strong to carry shame
and nail it to a tree You alone
hold the power to redeem.
Oh you alone, hold the power to redeem x3
Lauren Daigle - Power To Redeem (Audio) ft. All Sons & Daughters
Power To Redeem Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
"Power To Redeem," performed by All Sons & Daughters featuring Lauren Daigle and released in this audio version in 2015, is a powerful worship song centered on the transformative and saving work of God through Christ. The lyrics open by establishing God's nature as one who takes brokenness ("what is") and makes it beautiful, emphasizing that when divine love enters, a permanent restoration takes place. This initial thought sets the stage for the central theme: God's unique ability to redeem. The song immediately introduces the means of this redemption, stating that with His "breath it brings the dead to life" and His "words that pierce the dark with light," highlighting creative, life-giving, and revelatory power. Crucially, it asserts that "Only by the blood are we set free," pointing directly to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the basis for liberation from sin and its consequences.
The chorus reinforces this foundational truth, presenting mercy as a force strong enough to confront shame directly, not ignoring it, but actively "carry[ing] shame and nail[ing] it to a tree." This vivid imagery connects mercy to the cross, where Christ bore humanity's shame. The declaration "You alone hold the power to redeem" serves as the core message, emphasizing the exclusivity and sufficiency of God's redemptive power.
Verse two expands on the theme of deliverance from sin's bondage. It contrasts human guilt with Christ's perfect "innocence crucified," stating that guilt is rendered powerless in the face of His sacrifice. Similarly, it declares victory over death and the grave, asserting that the power of "grace has justified," meaning God's unmerited favor through Christ has declared believers righteous, a state no tomb can hold captive. These lines reiterate the profound impact of the cross and resurrection.
The bridge shifts to a call to the listener, addressing them as a "child of God" and urging them to "Rejoice" and "Lift your eyes to see." It introduces the inspiring concept of daily renewal, proclaiming that "With every morning light, Again we are redeemed." This highlights not only a past completed act of redemption but also its ongoing relevance and fresh application in the life of a believer each new day, offering hope and a continuous experience of grace.
Throughout the song, the recurring lines "With breath it brings the dead to life, With words that pierce the dark with light / Only by the blood are we set free. With mercy strong to carry shame and nail it to a tree / You alone hold the power to redeem" serve as anchors, driving home the consistent message through powerful, evocative language. The repetition in the bridge and the final emphasis on "You alone, hold the power to redeem" underscore the song's focus on God's sole and ultimate capability to bring about this spiritual transformation and freedom.
The song's message resonates deeply with numerous biblical themes. The concept of God bringing the dead to life through breath recalls Genesis 2:7 (God breathing life into man) and Ezekiel 37 (the valley of dry bones coming to life by the Spirit's breath). Light piercing darkness is a common biblical metaphor for God's truth overcoming ignorance and sin (John 1:5, Isaiah 9:2). Being set free by the blood points to the New Testament teaching on atonement through Christ's sacrifice (Ephesians 1:7, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Revelation 5:9). Mercy carrying and nailing shame to a tree directly references Christ bearing our sins and shame on the cross (Isaiah 53:4-5, 1 Peter 2:24). Guilt defeated by crucified innocence speaks to justification through faith in Christ (Romans 5:1, Romans 8:1). The victory of grace over the grave reflects the power of resurrection and justification leading to eternal life (Romans 6:4, Romans 8:11). The idea of redemption renewing every morning echoes Lamentations 3:22-23, which speaks of God's mercies being new every morning. This rich tapestry of scriptural references grounds the song's powerful message of redemption in the core narrative of Christian faith. The collaboration between All Sons & Daughters and Lauren Daigle brings together distinct worship leading voices to deliver this message with sincerity and conviction, creating an atmosphere conducive to worship and reflection on the profound power of God to redeem.
