Kirk Franklin - Washed Away Lyrics
Lyrics
Fill me with your joy so new So I can show my love for You This joy I have is real and true For all my sins are washed away Yes all my sins are washed away
The pain I felt so deep inside The tears I could no longer hide There's joy now cause' You're by my side Yes all my sins are washed away Yes all my sins are washed away
Washed away Gone astray
For all my sins are washed away
Yes all my sins are washed away
Video
Kirk Franklin & The Family - Washed Away (Live) (from Whatcha Lookin' 4)
Meaning & Inspiration
Kirk Franklin & The Family's powerful song, "Washed Away," from the album *Whatcha Lookin' 4*, first reached audiences on June 2, 2016, delivering an urgent and profoundly spiritual message of redemption. This musical offering immediately grounds itself in the foundational truth of Christian faith: the transformative power of divine forgiveness. It isn't merely a catchy tune but a declaration of liberation, narrating a deeply personal yet universally relatable journey from spiritual burden to unadulterated peace found in Christ.
The core meaning of "Washed Away" resides in its simple yet profound assertion of grace overcoming sin. The song opens with a plea and a purpose: a desire for new joy, not for selfish indulgence, but as an overflow of love for the Divine. This yearning speaks to a longing for spiritual renewal, much like the psalmist's prayer in Psalm 51:12, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation." This joy, the song declares, is "real and true," authenticated by the monumental fact that "all my sins are washed away." This immediate connection between authentic joy and the cleansing of sin lays the spiritual groundwork, emphasizing that true happiness is intrinsically linked to reconciliation with God. It echoes the promise of John 15:11, where Christ speaks of His joy abiding in believers, making their joy complete.
Moving deeper into the human experience, the song bravely confronts past suffering. It acknowledges "the pain I felt so deep inside" and "the tears I could no longer hide," speaking to the very real anguish that sin and life's trials can inflict upon the soul. This recognition of struggle creates an immediate connection, as many can relate to moments of profound internal distress and visible sorrow. However, the narrative swiftly pivots from despair to triumph with the reassuring affirmation, "There's joy now cause' You're by my side." This shift underscores the comforting presence of God, who, as Psalm 34:18 reminds us, is "close to the brokenhearted." His steadfast presence turns weeping into rejoicing, fulfilling promises like those found in Isaiah 41:10, "Do not fear, for I am with you." The subsequent declaration, "Yes all my sins are washed away," isn't just a repeat but a reinforcement, a reaffirmation of the source of this newfound joy and companionship.
The central phrase, "For all my sins are washed away," serves as the song's spiritual anchor, reiterated with emphatic certainty. This isn't merely a poetic expression; it's a theological statement deeply rooted in biblical truth. The concept of sins being "washed away" vividly illustrates the complete cleansing and removal of guilt offered through Christ's sacrifice. Isaiah 1:18 powerfully states, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." This spiritual purification is made possible through repentance and faith in Jesus, as highlighted in Acts 3:19, "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out." The song captures the profound liberation of knowing that God no longer remembers our transgressions, aligning with Hebrews 10:17, which declares, "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." This divine act of washing away sin provides the ultimate freedom and foundation for genuine joy.
The bridge, concise yet profoundly impactful, delivers a stark contrast with the lines "Washed away / Gone astray." These two phrases encapsulate the entire journey of redemption. "Gone astray" speaks to the human condition of wandering from God's path, of falling short of His glory, as Romans 3:23 articulates. It represents the former state of separation and spiritual lostness. Immediately following, "Washed away" signifies the miraculous intervention of grace, drawing the lost back into communion with their Creator. It’s the definitive answer to the straying, the complete undoing of the past through God’s boundless mercy. This transformation is not a partial cleansing but a total spiritual overhaul, providing a fresh start unburdened by past failures, as 1 John 1:7 assures that "the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." "Washed Away" therefore stands as a vibrant testament to the availability of God’s forgiveness, an open invitation to experience complete liberation from sin’s grip and to step into a life overflowing with divine joy and purpose. It is an inspiring anthem for anyone seeking peace and renewal through the boundless grace found in Christ.