Lyrics
Verse 1: Kanye West
God is King, we the soldiers
Ultrabeam out the solar
When I get to Heaven's gates
I ain't?gotta?peak over
Keepin' perfect?composure
When I scream at the chauffeur
I?ain't mean, I'm just focused
I ain't mean, I'm just focused
Pour the lean out slower
Got us clean out of soda
Before the flood, people judge
They did the same thing to Noah
Everybody wanted Yandhi
Then Jesus Christ did the laundry
They say the week start on Monday
But the strong start on Sunday
Won't be in bondage to any man
John 8:33
We the descendants of Abraham
Ye should be made free
John 8:36
To whom the son set free is free indeed
He saved a wretch like me
Chorus: Sunday Service Choir
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, He is wonderful
Verse 2: Kanye West
If you woke, then wake up
With Judas, kiss and make up
Even with the bitter cup
Forgave my brothers and drank up
Did everything but gave up
Stab my back, I can't front
Still we win, we prayed up
Even when we die, we raise up (Hallelujah)
Ain't no wantin', no, we need it
The powers that be done been greedy
We need ours by this evening
No white flag or no treaty
We got the product, we got the tools
We got the minds, we got the youth
We goin' wild, we on the loose
People is lying, we are the truth
Everything old shall now become new
The leaves'll be green, bearing the fruit
Love God and our neighbor, as written in Luke
The army of God and we are the truth
Outro: Kanye West
Wah, woo, wah, woo, woo, woo, woo, woo
Wah, woo, wah, woo, woo, woo, woo, woo
Woo, woo, woo, woo, woo, woo, woo, woo
Wah, woo, wah, woo, woo, woo, woo
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Selah” combines biblical allusion, personal confession, and communal declaration around freedom under God’s reign. The first verse names God as King and moves through Noah, Abraham, and sayings from John 8. Its contrast between bondage and freedom points toward Christ’s liberating work, while the choir’s extended hallelujah turns the argument into praise. The reference to being saved as a wretch also recalls the vocabulary of Christian testimony.
The second verse connects forgiveness, endurance, resurrection hope, love of neighbor, and fruitful renewal. Some lines address social power and collective resolve, yet the religious center remains explicit: prayer, God’s army, and the command to love God and neighbor shape the song’s vision of freedom. The title’s biblical association with a reflective pause suits a track that alternates dense declarations with repeated worship. Scripture is used both as direct citation and as a source of images for perseverance, renewal, and allegiance to God.
Related Scripture
- John 8:36 Jesus declares that those set free by the Son are truly free.
- Luke 10:27 The command joins love for God with love for one’s neighbor.
- Revelation 21:5 God declares that he is making all things new.