Lyrics
Verse 1
Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You have been so, so kind to me
Chorus
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending
Reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found
Leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it
Still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending
Reckless love of God
Verse 2
When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me
You have been so, so good to me
When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me
You have been so, so kind to me
Chorus
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending
Reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found
Leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it
Still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending
Reckless love of God
Bridge (x3)
There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me
Chorus
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending
Reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found
Leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it
Still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending
Reckless love of God
Original Version
This page covers a cover recording of the song. See the original: Reckless Love by Cory Asbury lyrics.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
This reggae rendition of “Reckless Love” keeps the wording of the song but breaks the chorus into shorter phrases. “Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending” and “Reckless love of God” sit on separate lines, and the same split appears in “Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found” and “Leaves the ninety-nine.” The shorter lines suit a steady, rhythmic delivery and make each claim about God's love stand alone.
The verses move from God's care before speech and breath to the singer's own condition as a foe with no worth to offer. The bridge is marked to be sung three times, so “There's no shadow You won't light up” and “There's no wall You won't kick down” build by repetition before the last chorus. The central picture comes from Jesus' parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15, and the claim “I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it” matches Paul's teaching that salvation is a gift of grace.
Related Scripture
- Luke 15:4-7 Jesus tells of a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to find one that is lost.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Paul says salvation is a gift of grace and not a result of works.