PRAISE TEAM - Things I Wish I Would've Said Lyrics
Lyrics
I saw you in a picture on my phone
Guess I didn’t quite erase them all
And for the first time in a while
I thought about giving you a call
Cause I love you and I miss you and I need you
I’m so sorry for the words I used to hurt you
Time keeps going by, but time just won’t let me forget
All the things I wish I would have said.
Last words that sound like slamming doors
Tears we never saw each other cry
And I thought it was for the best
Now I can’t find the good in that goodbye.
Cause I love you and I miss you and I need you
I’m so sorry for the words I used to hurt you
Time keeps going by, but time just won’t let me forget
All the things I wish I would have said.
What if I said I don’t want to fight
What if neither one of us was right
Would we find some healing hidden in these wounds
Would we find some hope in me and you.
Cause I love you and I miss you and I need you
I’m so sorry for the words I used to hurt you
Time keeps going by, but time just won’t let me forget
All the things I wish I would have said.
Video
This Bethel Worship Song Should be Avoided by All Christians, Worship Leaders and Churches
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on March 18, 2022, the song "Things I Wish I Would've Said" by PRAISE TEAM presents a poignant exploration of personal regret and the enduring pain of a fractured relationship. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of someone confronted with a lingering image of a past loved one, triggering a flood of remorse and a yearning for reconciliation. The speaker recounts contemplating reaching out, driven by an unyielding sense of love, longing, and an apology for past hurtful words. Time, rather than bringing solace, only intensifies the memory of unspoken truths and the ache of missed opportunities, trapping the individual in a cycle of "what ifs." The song vividly paints the picture of a relationship ending with "slamming doors" and unseen tears, a separation once rationalized as "for the best," now devoid of any perceived good. This deeply human experience culminates in a series of rhetorical questions, wondering if different words or a shared acknowledgment of fault could have led to healing and renewed hope within the relationship.
While the song powerfully articulates a universal human experience of regret over a broken bond, its suitability for Christian worship or as a guiding piece for believers warrants a careful theological examination, revealing significant concerns that suggest it should be approached with caution by Christians, worship leaders, and churches. The primary issue lies in its complete omission of God's role in human relationships, forgiveness, and healing. The sorrow expressed is entirely focused on a human connection and personal loss, with no indication of seeking divine guidance, repentance before God for one's actions, or finding solace in His sovereign plan. Christian worship is fundamentally about directing adoration, praise, and focus towards God, acknowledging His supremacy, character, and redemptive work. This song, however, centers solely on the individual's emotional landscape and their relationship with another person, leaving God conspicuously absent from the narrative of pain, regret, and potential reconciliation.
Scripture consistently calls believers to anchor their hope, seek forgiveness, and find healing first and foremost in God. Psalm 51, for instance, offers a profound model of repentance, where David confesses his sin directly to God, understanding that ultimately, all sin is against a holy God. Similarly, 1 John 1:9 assures us that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." The song's longing for forgiveness is directed solely at the estranged partner, not acknowledging the spiritual dimension of sin or the profound healing available through Christ. While apologizing to those we have wronged is biblically commanded (Matthew 5:23-24), the spiritual foundation of true repentance and the ultimate source of healing and hope must always be God. The "healing hidden in these wounds" and "hope in me and you" suggested in the song are entirely self-generated or dependent on another human, contrasting sharply with biblical declarations that proclaim God as the ultimate source of healing (Isaiah 53:5; Jeremiah 17:14) and hope (Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit").
Furthermore, the song's introspection, while emotionally relatable, leans into a "worldly sorrow" rather than a "godly sorrow." As 2 Corinthians 7:10 explains, "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." The regret expressed in the lyrics appears to be a worldly sorrow, focused on the pain of personal loss and what *could have been* for human comfort, rather than a sorrow over sin committed against God or a desire to align with His will. A song intended for Christian reflection or worship ought to guide individuals towards God-centered repentance, forgiveness, and restoration. It should encourage trust in God's plan even amidst brokenness, reminding us that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). This song, by contrast, leaves the individual adrift in their human lament, without the essential anchor of divine truth or the transforming power of the Gospel. Therefore, while it taps into a universal sentiment, its lack of theological depth and its complete omission of God's role render it unsuitable for Christian worship settings, which should always point hearts toward the Lord, where true and lasting healing, forgiveness, and hope are exclusively found.