John Mark McMillan - Out of The Ground Lyrics
Lyrics
the lights come out
to follow you around the block
where the freight train stopped
for you
cause i can hear you walking in
the city where the
pavement ends
with houses crumbling
for you
cause i'm
coming up from
out of the ground
for you
we've run from it
but it sleeps
like the current quits
and would've stained my lips
but not for you
we fall apart
at the seams
from day to dark
but its seeping into our sleep
for you
cause i'm
coming up from
out of the ground
for you for you for you
one by one
come undone
come alive
come alive
Video
Out of the Ground
Meaning & Inspiration
John Mark McMillan’s "Out of The Ground," released February 1, 2012, on the album *The Medicine*, is a profoundly spiritual declaration, distilling the core of Christian faith into a raw, resonant anthem. The song immediately sets a surreal, evocative scene, painting a picture of a world where natural laws bend and even decay under a divine gaze. It opens with "the lights come out to follow you around the block where the freight train stopped for you," suggesting a universe keenly attentive to a singular presence. This "you" is undoubtedly humanity, pursued and cherished by an active, intervening God. The imagery of a "city where the pavement ends with houses crumbling for you" speaks to the transient nature of earthly existence and human endeavors, yet even amidst this entropy, there is a sacred, unwavering focus on the beloved. It echoes prophetic words about the shifting sands of human kingdoms and the eternal nature of God’s purposes (Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 24:35), reminding us that our ultimate significance transcends decaying structures.
At the very heart of the song, the core message erupts: "cause I'm coming up from out of the ground for you." This is the unmistakable, seismic declaration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The "I" is Christ Himself, and His ascent "from out of the ground" is the ultimate act of triumph over death, undertaken "for you" – for the redemption and new life of all humanity. This powerful confession directly aligns with foundational scriptures like Romans 4:25, which states, "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification," and 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, affirming that "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." It is this singular, earth-shattering event that serves as the pivot point for all creation and the hope of believers, the victory that unlocks our freedom and grants us spiritual life (Ephesians 2:4-6).
The narrative then shifts to the human experience in light of this divine intervention. "We've run from it but it sleeps like the current quits and would've stained my lips but not for you" speaks to the pervasive nature of sin and its consequences, which humans often attempt to evade. The "it" here represents the creeping influence of our fallen nature, which threatens to corrupt and defile. Yet, the redemptive work of Christ intervenes, preventing the inevitable spiritual staining. This reflects the cleansing power found in His sacrifice, a grace that covers our transgressions and purifies us (1 John 1:7, Hebrews 9:14). It acknowledges our human frailty and tendency to stray, while simultaneously highlighting the ever-present hand of Christ's protection and restoration.
Further exploring our human condition, the lyrics confess, "we fall apart at the seams from day to dark but its seeping into our sleep for you." This poignant line captures the inherent brokenness and weariness of our earthly existence, the constant struggle that leaves us frayed and exhausted. However, in a beautiful paradox, "it" – likely referring to God’s grace, peace, or the very truth of Christ's redemptive work – is described as "seeping into our sleep for you." This imagery suggests a profound, subconscious permeation of divine comfort and renewal, even when we are most vulnerable and inactive. It speaks to a grace that transcends our conscious effort, offering peace that "transcends all understanding" (Philippians 4:7) and a restorative presence that operates even in our deepest rest, all because of the active, ongoing work of Christ "for you."
The song culminates in a powerful, invitational crescendo: "one by one come undone come alive come alive." "Come undone" here is not a call to despair, but a profound spiritual unraveling – the shedding of our old self, our pride, our self-sufficiency, and the burdensome weight of sin (Romans 6:6, Galatians 2:20). It’s a necessary prelude to the glorious command: "come alive." This is a direct echo of the call to spiritual rebirth and resurrection life that Christ offers (John 11:25, John 14:6, Ephesians 2:1). "One by one" underscores the intensely personal nature of this transformation, an individual invitation to embrace the new life made possible by the One who came "up from out of the ground." McMillan masterfully crafts a narrative that begins with cosmic observation and culminates in a deeply personal, transformative encounter, making "Out of The Ground" a powerful declaration of resurrection, redemption, and the ever-present, life-giving power of Christ’s unwavering love. It is indeed "the medicine" for a world and a people in desperate need of revival.