Elevation Worship + Israel Houghton - O Come To The Alter Lyrics
Lyrics
Are you hurting and broken within?
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin?
Jesus is calling
Have you come to the end of yourself
Do you thirst for a drink from the well?
Jesus is calling
O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Leave behind your regrets and mistakes
Come today, there's no reason to wait
Jesus is calling
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy
From the ashes, a new life is born
Jesus is calling
O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Oh what a Savior
Isn't He wonderful?
Sing Hallelujah, Christ is risen
Bow down before Him
For He is Lord of all
Sing Hallelujah, Christ is risen
Oh what a Savior
Isn't He wonderful?
Sing hallelujah, Christ is risen
Bow down before Him
For He is Lord of all
Sing Hallelujah, Christ is risen
O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Video
O Come to the Altar | Live | Elevation Worship
Meaning & Inspiration
"O Come To The Altar," released on November 25, 2015, by Elevation Worship with Israel Houghton, stands as a profoundly moving anthem in contemporary worship, inviting individuals into a transformative encounter with God. At its heart, the song articulates a universal human experience of brokenness, sin, and spiritual thirst, extending a tender yet urgent invitation to find solace and renewal. It speaks directly to the soul burdened by life's hurts and the weight of personal failings, positioning Jesus not just as a distant deity but as a compassionate caller who understands and offers a path to freedom. The "altar" here serves as a potent symbol—a sacred space of surrender, confession, and the reception of divine grace, a place where burdens are laid down and new life begins.
The narrative of the song unfolds with a series of probing questions, echoing the human condition described in Scripture. "Are you hurting and broken within? Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin?" these lines resonate with the lament found in Psalm 38, where David expresses the deep anguish of sin's burden. Similarly, "Have you come to the end of yourself? Do you thirst for a drink from the well?" powerfully evokes the spiritual weariness mentioned in Matthew 11:28, where Jesus calls the weary and burdened to find rest, and the promise of living water offered in John 4:14 to those who thirst. The consistent refrain, "Jesus is calling," underscores the continuous, active pursuit of God for His creation, a theme beautifully articulated in Revelation 3:20, where Christ stands at the door and knocks, desiring fellowship.
The chorus delivers the core message with overwhelming clarity and power: "O come to the altar, the Father's arms are open wide." This imagery immediately brings to mind the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32, where a waiting father embraces his repentant child without reservation, symbolizing God's boundless love and eagerness to welcome us home. The declaration, "Forgiveness was bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ," is the theological bedrock of Christian faith. It affirms the central tenet of atonement, where Jesus' sacrifice on the cross provides the singular means of redemption for humanity's sins. This truth is deeply rooted in verses like Hebrews 9:22, which states that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness," and 1 Peter 1:18-19, reminding us that we were ransomed "not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ."
Moving beyond the initial invitation, the song encourages a tangible response: "Leave behind your regrets and mistakes, Come today, there's no reason to wait." This call to immediate action reflects the urgency of repentance found throughout the New Testament, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:2, which states, "Now is the day of salvation." The promise that follows, "Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy, From the ashes, a new life is born," is a profound testament to God's transformative power. This imagery directly references Isaiah 61:3, where God promises to give "a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." It speaks to the spiritual rebirth described in 2 Corinthians 5:17, where "if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
As the song progresses, it shifts from an individual invitation to a collective expression of worship and adoration. The bridge, "Oh what a Savior, Isn't He wonderful? Sing Hallelujah, Christ is risen. Bow down before Him, For He is Lord of all," elevates the personal encounter to a universal declaration of God's majesty. The celebration of Christ's resurrection is paramount, forming the cornerstone of Christian hope and victory over death, as affirmed in 1 Corinthians 15:20-22. Declaring Him "Lord of all" aligns with Philippians 2:9-11, where every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This movement from a private plea for forgiveness to a public proclamation of praise is a powerful reflection of the Christian journey, where personal redemption naturally leads to communal worship of the One who made it all possible. "O Come To The Altar" masterfully weaves together the foundational truths of sin, repentance, atonement, and resurrection, creating an impactful and biblically rich experience for anyone seeking to draw closer to the Father's open arms.