Kirk Franklin - Father Knows Best Lyrics
Lyrics
Intro
See, it's important to understand
That just because God allows things that may not be good to us
Does not mean that's it's not good for us, yeah
See, a parent fails if a child never learns how to fly
I hope I'm talking to somebody today
Verse
I can feel that it won't be long
I see how my life could have gone wrong
Every time you delay my dreams, you were protecting me
All these are to make me strong (Hit me)
I can see that you have a plan
That I won't always understand
Even when I go my own way, you allow my mistakes
But still, hold on to my hand (Thank you)
Chorus
Oh, that's what real fathers do
I wouldn't expect nothing less from you (Hey)
See, it's alright to not always understand why
Let Him in, bring tears from your eyes (Feels good)
But God, your ways are better than mine (Take a look at my heart)
So whatever you see, keep working on me
(I just have one request)
Promise me you'll hold me close, don't ever let me go
Hold me close, don't let me go (Please)
Ooh, hold me close, don't let me go (Hey, one more time)
Verse
I can feel that it won't be long (Uh, yeah)
I see how my life could have gone wrong
(When I look over my shoulder, I remember)
Every time you delay my dreams (Ha)
You were protecting me (Yeah)
All these are to make me strong
(You even had a plan before time began, come on)
I can see that you have a plan (Woo)
That I won't always understand
(Ha, when I go too far, you pull me back)
Even when I go my own way, you allow my mistakes
But still, hold on to my hand (I like this part right here)
Chorus
Oh, that's what real fathers do (That's what real fathers do)
I wouldn't expect nothing less from you
(Somebody needs to know)
See, it's alright (It's alright) to not always understand why
(Life don't always feel good, come on)
Let Him in, bring tears from your eyes (You see what I can't see)
But God, your ways are better than mine (Take a look at my heart)
(So whatever) So whatever you see
(Please) Keep working on me
(I have one request, come on)
Promise me you'll hold me close (And don't ever)
Don't ever let me go
Hold me close, don't let me go (Hold me)
Ooh, hold me close, don't let me go (Please)
Don't ever let me go
Hold me close, don't let me go
(Keep me close to your heart, Jesus)
Ooh, hold me close, don't let me go (Please)
Bridge
(Father, King, yeah)
Take these things away from me
Make me the one that you died for (Yes)
Still, my heart believes in the brighter day
Help the world see we need you more (In another lifetime)
Chorus
That's what real fathers do (They always come through)
I wouldn't expect nothing less from you, from you (Hey)
See, it's alright (Come on) to not always understand why
(Your ways are not my ways)
Let Him in, bring tears from your eyes (Haha, sing)
But God, your ways are better than mine
(So whatever you see) So whatever you see
(Keep working on me) Keep working on me
(Promise me)
Promise me you'll hold me close (I say it again, promise me)
Promise me you'll hold me close (Jesus, promise me)
Promise me you'll hold me close
Don't ever let me go
Hold me close, don't let me go (Don't take your joy away)
Ooh, hold me close, don't let me go
Don't ever let me go
Hold me close, don't let me go (Please)
Oh, hold me close and don't let me go
Outro
Look at your neighbor, say "Neighbor" (Neighbor)
If God is our father (If God is our father)
That makes us family (That makes us family)
How can you love God (How can you love God)
And not love me? (And not love me?)
Get yourself together, come on
Video
Kirk Franklin - Father Knows Best (Official Audio Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on May 6, 2022, Kirk Franklin’s "Father Knows Best" stands as a poignant musical sermon, delving into the profound wisdom of God's divine plan and our human capacity—or often, our inability—to fully grasp it. The song's core message is an earnest call to trust in God’s fatherly guidance, even when circumstances seem confusing or contrary to our immediate desires. It serves as a reminder that God’s perspective transcends our limited understanding, allowing for delays, detours, and even mistakes as integral parts of a larger, sovereign design intended for our ultimate good and spiritual maturation.
The song opens with a crucial theological premise, asserting that God allows difficult situations not to cause harm, but to foster growth, likening it to a parent teaching a child to soar. This echoes the sentiment found in Hebrews 12:5-11, which explains how God's discipline, though painful in the moment, is administered out of love to make us holy and righteous. The analogy sets the stage for a narrative of divine protection and purposeful shaping, inviting the heart to embrace a higher level of trust.
The initial verse immediately grounds this concept in personal experience, reflecting on past potential pitfalls and recognizing God's protective hand in what were perceived as delayed dreams. This resonates deeply with the wisdom of Proverbs 3:5-6, urging us to trust in the Lord completely and acknowledge Him in all our paths, allowing Him to direct our way. The song suggests that these very delays were safeguards, strengthening us for what lies ahead, a truth beautifully captured in Romans 8:28, which assures us that God works all things for the good of those who love Him. Even when straying, the lyrics acknowledge God’s allowance of our mistakes, yet His unwavering grip on our hand, mirroring Psalm 37:23-24, where though we may stumble, the Lord upholds us.
The chorus serves as a powerful declaration of God’s perfect fatherhood and a tender plea for His continuous presence. The affirmation, "That's what real fathers do," elevates God as the ultimate standard of paternal love and care. Crucially, the song provides comfort in the admission, "it's alright to not always understand why," aligning with Isaiah 55:8-9, where God reminds us that His thoughts and ways are vastly superior to our own. The humble submission, "But God, your ways are better than mine, so whatever you see, keep working on me," is a testament to surrendering control and inviting divine sanctification, reflecting the promise in Philippians 1:6 that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion. The repeated petition, "Promise me you'll hold me close, don't ever let me go," voices a universal longing for divine security and comfort, finding resonance in Jesus' assurance in John 10:28-29 that none can snatch His sheep from His hand, and God's promise in Deuteronomy 31:6 never to leave or forsake us.
Revisiting these themes, the second verse reinforces the idea of God’s sovereign oversight, with the realization, "You even had a plan before time began." This concept aligns with Ephesians 1:4-5, which speaks of God choosing us in Christ before the world's foundation. The continued allowance of our missteps, coupled with His consistent support, underscores God's patient grace and redemptive nature, even in our failings, a narrative vividly portrayed in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15) and underscored by Romans 5:8, where God demonstrates His love for us while we were still sinners.
The bridge elevates the praise, addressing God as "Father, King" and expressing a deep desire for purification: "Take these things away from me, Make me the one that you died for." This is a profound prayer for alignment with Christ's atoning sacrifice, echoing 1 Peter 2:24, where He bore our sins so we might live for righteousness. The steadfast belief in a "brighter day" and the call for the world to recognize its need for God speaks to the enduring hope found in His promises and the evangelistic heart of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20.
The song's outro masterfully broadens the personal spiritual reflection into a communal charge for love and unity. The powerful question, "If God is our father, that makes us family. How can you love God and not love me?" directly challenges the listener, drawing from the clear mandate of 1 John 4:20-21: "Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar." This closing statement transforms a worshipful meditation into a practical call to action, reminding us that genuine faith and a true understanding of our divine lineage demand tangible love for one another, thus improving our collective witness and drawing others to the transforming power of our Heavenly Father's perfect love.