Lyrics
Lord of this creation, high above it all
Try as I might, I cannot climb to You
Victor over darkness, bright and sacred One
Try as I might, I cannot hide from You
Every thought inside my head
Every temptation that I've met
No nothing, nothing surprises You
Sanctify me, purify me
Here's my heart and all that I am Lord
Take the old me, make me holy
And whatever You do
Don't just make me better
Lord make me new
Don't just make me better
Lord make me new
King and righteous Ruler, Seerer of my heart
Try as I might I cannot lie to You
Gracious loving Father, Shepherd of my soul
When I return, You always welcome me back home
Every thought inside my head
Every temptation that I've met
No nothing, nothing surprises You
(Lord will you)
Sanctify me, purify me
Here's my heart and all that I am Lord
Take the old me, make me holy
And whatever You do
Don't just make me better
Lord make me new
Don't just make me better
Lord make me new
I repent, I repent
I fall on my knees again
I repent, I repent
I fall on my knees again
I repent, I repent
I fall on my knees again
I repent, I repent
I fall on my knees again
Break every vain desire, selfish ambition
Pride of life and need for attention
Clean my hands and bring Your deliverance
Lord make me new
Break every vain desire, selfish ambition
Pride of life and need for attention
Clean my hands and bring Your deliverance
Lord make me new
Lord make me new
Sanctify me, purify me
Here's my heart and all that I am Lord
Take the old me, make me holy
And whatever You do
Don't just make me better
Lord make me new
Don't just make me better
Lord make me new
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Make Me New is a prayer for transformation rather than surface improvement. The lyric begins by acknowledging God as Creator, victor, righteous ruler, and gracious Father. Since every thought and temptation is already known, concealment is impossible; yet the singer’s return is met with welcome rather than rejection. That combination of divine holiness and mercy gives repentance a secure foundation.
The chorus asks for sanctification, purification, and a new self, offering the whole heart rather than requesting a minor repair. Repeated confession in the bridge makes repentance active and specific. Vain desire, selfish ambition, pride, and the need for attention are named as patterns requiring deliverance. The request for clean hands echoes biblical prayers in which inward renewal and outward conduct belong together. Psalm 51:10 closely matches the plea for a clean heart and renewed spirit, while 2 Corinthians 5:17 supports the contrast between merely becoming better and becoming new in Christ. The song presents holiness as God’s work received through honest surrender and repeated return.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 51:10 The psalm asks God to create a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 Life in Christ is described as new creation rather than minor improvement.