Hollyn - Lovely Lyrics
Lyrics
They say picture perfect
Filter do your thing
They floatin' lies
Make this young girl doubt what she think
Not showing enough, not sexy enough, no way
Too dark, too light for us
Nah, that look ain't gon' play
Words are bouncin' round my head
I can't stop their echoin'
Trippin' on that negative
But You call me lovely
You say I'm wonderfully made
Your river floods me
Your words feel like a serenade
I love that You are thinkin' of me
All of those voices fade away
When You call me lovely
Lovely
Lovely, You call me lovely
You call me lovely
And I'ma soak in it
And I'ma soak in it
And I'ma soak in it
No I ain't even gonna fake it
Don't wanna leave without no make-up
This ain't made up
When I ain't made up
Always wonderin' what they thinkin'
So afraid of what they sayin'
When I ain't fixed up
Got me mixed up
Words are bouncin' round my head
I can't stop their echoin'
Trippin' on that negative
But You call me lovely
You say I'm wonderfully made
Your river floods me
Your words feel like a serenade
I love that You are thinkin' of me
All of those voices fade away
When You call me lovely
Lovely
And I'ma soak in it
And I'ma soak in it
And I'ma soak in it
The way You love me
The way You know me
The way You always got the time for me
I'ma soak in it
I'ma soak in it
The way You see me
The way You keep me
And I know that I don't make it easy
I'ma soak in it
I'ma soak in it
I'ma soak in it
I'ma soak in it
You call me lovely
You say I'm wonderfully made
Your river floods me
Your words feel like a serenade
I love that You are thinkin' of me
All of those voices fade away
When You call me lovely
Lovely...
Video
Hollyn - Lovely (Official Audio Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Released in 2017 as part of her album *One-Way Conversations*, Hollyn's song "Lovely" offers a profound and resonant message about identity and worth, directly confronting the pervasive pressures of external validation. The song's genesis appears to be rooted in the stark contrast between the superficial standards of the world and the unfailing affirmation found in a divine perspective. Hollyn articulates the struggle many face, particularly young women, in navigating a landscape saturated with curated images and societal expectations that foster self-doubt. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the internal battle against negative self-talk, stemming from feelings of not being "enough" in various aspects, whether it's appearance or perceived flawlessness, a sentiment echoed in the Psalmist's reflection on God's intricate creation in Psalm 139:14, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."
"Lovely" powerfully transitions from this internal turmoil to a liberating embrace of unconditional love. The core of the song is the declaration that despite the "words bouncin' round" and the "negative" that tries to take hold, there is a higher calling that redefines worth. This divine voice, speaking of being "wonderfully made" and flooding the soul with grace, serves as a powerful antidote to the world's judgment. Hollyn's message resonates with the truth found in 1 Samuel 16:7, where God reminds Samuel, "The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." The repeated affirmation that God "calls me lovely" underscores a profound acceptance that transcends superficial flaws or perceived inadequacies. The imagery of a "river" flooding and words feeling like a "serenade" beautifully captures the overwhelming and soothing nature of God's love and truth.
Furthermore, the song emphasizes the transformative power of internalizing this divine perspective. The repeated commitment to "soak in it" signifies a conscious decision to allow God's affirmation to permeate one's being, displacing the echoes of doubt. This active reception of love and truth is a practical application of the principles laid out in scripture. For instance, Philippians 4:8 encourages believers to focus their thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy, which is precisely what Hollyn encourages through embracing God's view of her. The song implicitly points to the inadequacy of seeking validation from human opinion, a trap that ensnares many. It's a compelling reminder that true confidence and peace come not from fitting into worldly molds, but from understanding one's inherent value as a creation of God, as beautifully articulated in Ephesians 2:10: "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." "Lovely" stands as an inspiring anthem for anyone wrestling with self-perception, offering a clear pathway to finding enduring worth in the unwavering love of the Creator.