Walking down the road this life is on
The narrow path I try to stay
But I must confess I have a tendency to stray
Well, I'd love to call it a mistake
A momentary lapse of faith
But the truth is sometimes I feel that I'm being dragged away
By the other side that people never see
A war is on between the good and bad inside of me.
So why do I do all the things that I do
When I want to do what is right?
Change this wicked heart of mine
Let me walk with you in the new life. Yeah
So what will ever put an end
To this recurring bout with sin
It seems I'm always at a loss for a way to win
But, what I really need to do
Is to confront it with the truth
And let your words of life sink in and make my mind brand new
A transformation that happens over time
Is the product of a renewed mind
Why do I do all the things that I do
When I want to do what is right?
Change this wicked heart of mine
Let me walk with you in the new life.
Create in me a clean heart
Place your spirit deep inside
Capture every thought
'Til there's no place left to hide
No place to hide from you
So why do I do all the things that I do
When I want to do what is right?
Change this wicked heart of mine
Let me walk with you in the new life.
Why do I do all the things that I do
When I want to do what is right?
Change my heart, renew my mind
Let me walk with you in the new life.
Why
Why Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Released on May 3, 2012, Big Daddy Weave’s song "Why" immediately invites listeners into a deeply personal conversation with God, exploring the baffling, beautiful mystery of divine grace. It’s a song that doesn’t shy away from the awkwardness of our unworthiness, setting a simple yet poignant musical backdrop that allows the raw, honest questions posed in the lyrics to shine through, creating space for genuine reflection. The instrumentation feels supportive rather than overpowering, allowing the listener to sit with the central theme and ponder alongside the vocalist.
The heart of the song lies in its title and the persistent question it asks: why would God choose to love someone like us? It speaks directly to the universal human experience of falling short, of recognizing our flaws and failures. The lyrics paint a picture of someone acutely aware of their own brokenness, acknowledging actions and thoughts that are far from holy or deserving. This feeling of inadequacy is deeply relatable, echoing the sentiments found in Romans 3:23, which plainly states, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." The song captures that internal struggle, that nagging voice that whispers we aren’t enough, or that we’ve gone too far for redemption.
Yet, against this backdrop of human failure, the song magnifies God’s overwhelming response. It’s not a response of condemnation or withdrawal, but one of persistent, unconditional love. The “why” isn't a question of *if* God loves, but *how* He can, given who we are. This paradox is central to the gospel message. Ephesians 2:4-5 beautifully articulates this, saying, "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." The song resonates with this truth, highlighting the scandalous nature of grace – that it is given freely, not based on merit or worthiness, but solely on the boundless character of God Himself.
The genius of "Why" isn't that it provides a simple, logical explanation for God’s love in human terms, because grace by definition defies human logic. Instead, it leads the listener to the only possible conclusion: that God’s love is not a reaction to our goodness, but an outpouring of His inherent nature. It points to the cross, where the ultimate demonstration of this inexplicable love occurred. As Romans 5:8 declares, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The song echoes this sentiment, finding its resolution not in understanding *why* we are worthy (we aren’t, outside of Him), but in accepting that *He is* worthy, and He chose us anyway.
Ultimately, "Why" serves as a powerful anthem of grace. It’s a reminder that our past mistakes, current struggles, and inherent imperfections do not disqualify us from God's affection. Instead, they highlight the astonishing depth of His mercy. The song encourages us to move past the question of our worthiness and settle into the foundational truth of *His* faithfulness and *His* finished work on the cross, which has declared us clean and made us new creations in Him, as referenced in 2 Corinthians 5:17. It inspires a response of humility, gratitude, and worship for a love that asks the question "why?" not from a place of judgment, but from a place of wonder at the sheer, unearned gift we’ve been given. This song invites every listener wrestling with their own failures to find peace and identity not in who they are or what they've done, but in the God who says "I love you" simply because He is love.