Lyrics
Verse 1
In my shame, I was lost
In my sin, built this cross
I was blind, I could not
See His face
But oh what wondrous reply
Came from arms stretched out wide
Soon you will be with me
In paradise
Chorus
Hallelujah
The lamb of God was slain
Hallelujah
The king of kings was raised
Verse 2
Oh what love filled His heart
He held back angels, breathed His last
It is done, it is done
As skies went dark
And oh what glory shall reign
On His return to raise the saints
When His brilliance and His power
Shall be displayed
(Instrumental)
Bridge
As morning breaks, the son is raised
All my sin, left in the grave
The wretch I was, the weight I bore
Like the grave, is mine no more
As morning breaks, the son is raised
All my sin, left in the grave
No shame in life, no fear in death
In Christ I’ll rise, in Christ I live
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
The Good Thief (Hallelujah) retells the cross from the point of view of the thief who was crucified beside Jesus. The first verse speaks of shame, being lost and building a cross by sin, being blind to His face, and then hearing the reply that came from arms stretched out wide: "Soon you will be with me in paradise." The chorus answers with hallelujah, praising the Lamb of God who was slain and the King of kings who was raised.
The second verse pictures the love that filled His heart, holding back angels, breathing His last with the words "It is done," and darkness over the sky, then looks ahead to His return in glory. The bridge describes morning breaking, sin left in the grave, no shame in life and no fear in death, and rising and living in Christ. The story follows Luke 23:43, John 19:30 and 1 Corinthians 15:55-57. The repeated hallelujah gives the song a grateful, triumphant tone.
Related Scripture
- Luke 23:43 Jesus tells the repentant thief that he will be with Him in paradise.
- John 19:30 Jesus says it is finished.
- 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 Death is swallowed up in victory through the Lord Jesus Christ.