Gaither Vocal Band - When He Set Me Free Lyrics
Lyrics
(Verse 1)
One day I was walking
One day I was talking
One day I was living deep in sin
(Pre-Chorus A:)
I wouldn't believe Him
And I wouldn't receive Him
Well, I never knew I needed such a Friend
(Verse 2:)
I started seeking
I started searching
Looking for a man from Galilee
(Pre-Chorus B:)
I started praying
Hear these words I'm saying:
"Come on down from Glory and set me free!"
(Chorus 1:)
Don't you know He put a running in my feet
He put a clapping in my hands
He put a shouting in my heart
No more doubt (He took a doubting from my mind)
My way got brighter (brighter)
Load got lighter (lighter)
I started walking (walking)
I started talking (talking)
I started singing (singing)
I started shouting (shouting)
Oh God said
God said if we would believe Him
God said if we would receive Him
I thank You Jesus (6x)
Oh my Lord (Oh my Lord)
Well, you really should've been there when He set me free, set me free!
(BRIDGE:)
I'm climbing higher,
Iload getting lighter
Darkness has lifted far away (far away)
On the road to Glory,
Gonna tell my story.
Gonna tell you what He did for me that day.
(Chorus 2:)
Don't you know He put a running in my feet
He put a clapping in my hands
He put a shouting in my heart
No more doubt (He took a doubting from my mind)
My way got brighter (brighter)
Load got lighter (lighter)
I started walking (walking)
I started talking (talking)
I started singing (singing)
I started shouting (shouting)
Oh God said (God said if we would believe Him)
God said if we would receive Him
I thank you Jesus (6x)
Oh my Lord (Oh my Lord)
End
Well, you really should've been there when He set me free (set me free) x2
When He set me free.
Video
Russ Taff - When He Set Me Free [Live]
Meaning & Inspiration
"When He Set Me Free," a vibrant track from Gaither Vocal Band's 2016 album *Better Together*, powerfully articulates the profound transformation that comes with spiritual liberation. The song opens with a raw depiction of a life steeped in sin, where the individual is disconnected from any genuine spiritual connection, admitting, "I wouldn't believe Him, and I wouldn't receive Him." This initial state resonates with the human tendency toward self-reliance and an unawareness of the need for divine intervention, much like Isaiah’s declaration in Isaiah 53:6: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way." The turning point arrives with a sincere seeking and praying, a desperate plea for deliverance from a higher power: "Come on down from Glory and set me free!" This cry echoes David’s fervent prayer in Psalm 51:12, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit."
The core message of "When He Set Me Free" is one of joyous release and the subsequent, undeniable evidence of that freedom in one's demeanor and outlook. The lyrics describe an irrepressible exuberance, a "running in my feet," "clapping in my hands," and "shouting in my heart." This isn't merely a subtle shift but a radical change that illuminates the path forward, making the "way got brighter" and the "load got lighter." This physical and emotional manifestation of freedom aligns with the prophetic words of Isaiah 61:1, which Jesus himself quoted in Luke 4:18: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to those who are bound." The song emphasizes the removal of doubt, signifying a renewed clarity and certainty in faith, a theme beautifully captured in Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." The repetition of gratitude towards Jesus underscores the central role of Christ in this salvation, a sentiment that mirrors the Apostle Paul’s constant praise in Romans 7:25: "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" The bridge further expands on this, describing a climb towards higher ground, the lifting of darkness, and a strong desire to share this transformative experience, signifying a commitment to living out one's faith and bearing witness to God's work, as commanded in Matthew 5:16: "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Ultimately, the song is an inspiring testament to the liberating power of Jesus Christ, urging listeners to consider the profound, life-altering impact of His saving grace.