Dustin Kensrue - Suffering Servant Lyrics
Lyrics
His appearance was so badly marred
He could not have been recognized
So disfigured, so beyond all human likeness
That we hid our eyes
Though he carried all our griefs and bore our sorrows
We esteemed him not
But despised him and considered him afflicted
And as one reviled by God
Though all of us have gone astray
Though all have turned to their own ways
The Lord has laid our wickedness on him
His punishment has brought us peace
And crushed for our iniquities
He died to save his people from their sin
He was stricken, and though pierced for our transgressions
He did not lash out
But was silent, like a lamb led to the slaughter
So he opened not his mouth
The might of Yahweh stands revealed
And by his wounds we all are healed
He offered up his soul to death
He poured it out till none was left
He died but now shall rise and surely see
The many he has righteous made
And satisfied, his work surveyed,
The man of sorrows ever more shall be
On high, exalted, lifted up
The righteous servant raised above
His mighty hand shall work the will of God
The nations all shall hear and see
Astonished at his victory
The kings of men will shut their mouths in awe
Video
Dustin Kensrue - Suffering Servant - Lyric Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Dustin Kensrue's "Suffering Servant," released as a lyric video on April 17, 2017, stands as a profound musical meditation on one of the most significant prophecies in all of Scripture. This composition is a direct, reverent exposition of the Suffering Servant passages, primarily found in Isaiah 52:13-53:12, a text that Christians understand as foretelling the atoning work of Jesus Christ. Kensrue meticulously translates the ancient prophetic words into a modern lament and declaration, effectively bringing the weight and wonder of Isaiah's vision to a contemporary audience. The song's essence lies in its unwavering commitment to the biblical narrative, recounting the Messiah's journey from dehumanizing suffering to ultimate exaltation, painting a vivid picture of divine love and sacrifice.
The song's narrative unfolds with a stark depiction of the Servant's physical disfigurement and social rejection, echoing Isaiah 52:14 where it speaks of his "appearance...marred more than any man." Kensrue captures the painful reality that this figure, though innocent, was "despised" and "afflicted," a sentiment directly from Isaiah 53:3. The profound truth revealed is that this suffering was not for His own transgressions but for the collective sin of humanity. The lyrics powerfully articulate that "all of us have gone astray," turning to our "own ways," yet "the Lord has laid our wickedness on him," a direct quote from Isaiah 53:6. This is the cornerstone of the Christian faith: a substitutionary atonement where the innocent bears the guilt of the guilty. The song then details the transformative power of this sacrifice, proclaiming that His "punishment has brought us peace" and His being "crushed for our iniquities" brings salvation, a beautiful reflection of Isaiah 53:5 which states, "by his wounds we are healed."
As the song progresses, it delves into the Servant's remarkable submission in the face of immense injustice. Like a lamb led to slaughter, He remained silent, opening not His mouth, as Isaiah 53:7 describes. This imagery emphasizes His voluntary suffering and profound humility, a poignant foreshadowing of Christ's trials and crucifixion. The lyrics then shift from the depths of His suffering to the breathtaking power of God's redemptive plan, asserting that "the might of Yahweh stands revealed" and, by His wounds, all are healed. This pivotal turn introduces the ultimate triumph embedded within the Servant's sacrifice. He "offered up his soul to death," pouring Himself out completely, fulfilling Isaiah 53:12. Yet, the narrative does not end in death; it moves swiftly to resurrection and ultimate victory, declaring He "died but now shall rise and surely see the many he has righteous made." This encapsulates the glorious outcome of Christ's work, where through His sacrifice, many are justified before God, as promised in Isaiah 53:11.
The concluding verses of "Suffering Servant" celebrate the Servant's ultimate exaltation, bringing to fruition the initial promise of Isaiah 52:13: "Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be greatly exalted." Kensrue portrays Him "on high, exalted, lifted up," a righteous servant raised above all. This imagery speaks to Christ's ascension and reign at the right hand of God, where "His mighty hand shall work the will of God." The song culminates with a vision of global recognition and awe, where "the nations all shall hear and see" and "the kings of men will shut their mouths in awe." This powerful conclusion underscores the universal impact of the Servant's victory, fulfilling prophecies not only from Isaiah but also echoing Philippians 2:9-11, which proclaims that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow. This song is more than a retelling; it is an act of worship, an invitation to contemplate the staggering depth of divine love and the unparalleled triumph of the Suffering Servant, who, through humiliation and death, achieved everlasting peace and healing for all who believe.