Lyrics
Verse 1
I, I saw the light
On county back roads
Is where I met God
Real, and it's real
I'm pinching myself
'Cause it blows my mind
Chorus
Wandering why He chooses me
But I know I'm not a perfect man
Lord knows I'm not
But I get to heaven by the grace of God
Hallelujah
God, I'm singing hallelujah
The sinner's hallelujah
Verse 2
Where, where could I go
To hide from the Lord
To hide from His love
Heights, oh are the heights
The towers of love
That shadow my life
Chorus
Wandering why He chooses me
But I know I'm not a perfect man
Lord knows I'm not
But I get to heaven by the grace of God
Hallelujah
God, I'm singing hallelujah
The sinner's hallelujah
Bridge
I was a prodigal, far from my home
But You call me child like I'm one of Your own
Hallelujah
God, I'm singing hallelujah
The sinner's hallelujah
Verse 3
I've been washed, saved, changed
I've been drawn by grace
And there ain't no way
I can be the same as I was
Chorus
I'm not a perfect man
Lord knows I'm not
But I get to heaven by the grace of God
Hallelujah
God, I'm singing hallelujah
Bridge
I was a prodigal, far from my home
But You call me child like I'm one of Your own
Hallelujah
God, I'm running to You
Hallelujah
God, I'm singing hallelujah
The sinner's hallelujah
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
"a sinner's hallelujah" is a testimony of grace sung by someone who admits imperfection. The opening describes meeting God on "county back roads," and the chorus wonders aloud why God would choose such a person before settling the matter: "I'm not a perfect man / Lord knows I'm not / But I get to heaven by the grace of God."
The second verse asks "Where, where could I go / To hide from the Lord," and answers with "the towers of love / That shadow my life." The bridge casts the narrator as a prodigal "far from my home" who is still called "child," and the closing verse speaks of being "washed, saved, changed" and "drawn by grace." The hallelujah of the title is offered as thanks from a sinner rather than a claim of merit.
The theme of salvation by grace lines up with Ephesians 2:8-9, the question of hiding from God with Psalm 139:7, and the prodigal's welcome with Luke 15:20.
Related Scripture
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation is by grace through faith, not works, matching "I get to heaven by the grace of God."
- Psalm 139:7 The psalmist asks where he could flee from God's presence, matching the second verse.
- Luke 15:20 The father welcomes the returning prodigal, matching the bridge.