Intro: Lecrae
Yeah
Verse 1: Lecrae
I keep my peace under my belt
I keep my Bible up on the shelf
All of my rivals hate my wealth
They want me to hate myself
I can't sleep, up at night
When I'm on ten, I don't do right
When I see 12, I panic (Panic)
I gotta kill old habits (Habits), yeah
So why would I give you my time?
I don't know what's on the line
Gotta get mine, right
2020 that's hindsight
I don't mean to go missing
I got vision
If I had to choose 'tween you and my peace, easy decision
Eyes closed, just sitting by this pool, far from the trenches
Not too long ago we was on trees hanging at lynches
So don't blame me if I choose to be free
Don't get mad at me if my phone's on DND, yee
Chorus: Jordan L'Oreal & Lecrae
Protecting my peace (Woo), ay-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi (Protecting my)
Don't you dare hit my line
Protecting my peace (Woo), ay-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi (Protecting my)
I won't pay you no mind
Protecting my peace (Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh)
Protecting my peace (Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh)
Protecting my peace (Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh)
Verse 2: Lecrae
My secret weapon, I gotta protect it
They off in my mentions, I feel disrespected
I used to get at them, but now I neglect it
They speak on my name, but I'm so unaffected
My likes and my mentions may slow up (Slow up)
New music may never blow up (Blow up)
But I feel the peace in my soul
Tell the devil he ain't got no control
He told me I should take my life and rest in peace (Peace)
God said, "Follow Jesus, live in peace and rest in Me"
So I don't mean to go missing (Missing)
I'm on mission (Mission, on mission)
I choose between my likes and love, easy decision (Easy)
Eyes closed, meditating, my garden for the stillness (Stillness)
Not too long ago we were stressed out they was gon' kill us (Kill us)
So don't blame me if I choose to be free (Yeah)
Don't get mad at me when I leave you on seen, yee
Chorus: Jordan L'Oreal & Lecrae
Protecting my peace (Woo), ay-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi (Protecting my)
Don't you dare hit my line
Protecting my peace (Woo), ay-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi (Protecting my)
I won't pay you no mind
Protecting my peace (Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh)
Protecting my peace (Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh)
Protecting my peace (Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh)
Protect My Peace
Protect My Peace Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Released on November 4, 2022, Lecrae's song "Protect My Peace" immediately lands on a core human need in a chaotic world: the need for internal stillness and calm. At its heart, the song is a declaration and a strategy. It isn't just a passive wish for peace; it's an active commitment to guarding the serenity and stability found within oneself, particularly the peace granted by God, against the relentless assaults of external pressures, relational drama, past hurts, and internal anxieties. Lecrae articulates the struggle many face in maintaining composure and focus amidst noise and negativity, positioning this protective act not as selfishness, but as a necessary spiritual discipline and a means of preserving one's spiritual and mental health.
Analyzing "Protect My Peace," the music itself contributes significantly to the message. The production often provides a steady, grounded foundation, allowing Lecrae's delivery, which shifts between reflective contemplation and firm resolve, to underscore the song's theme. It conveys a sense of resilience, a person standing their ground against encroaching disruption. The protection Lecrae speaks of isn't merely erecting walls to isolate; it's about discerning what is allowed to penetrate one's inner life and what is not. This calls to mind the biblical imperative to be sober-minded and watchful (1 Peter 5:8), not just against external threats but also against internal capitulation to fear, worry, or anger that steals peace. It aligns with the wisdom of Proverbs 4:23, which instructs us to guard our hearts above all else, for everything we do flows from it – including, profoundly, our state of peace.
The concept of peace, or *shalom*, in Scripture is far richer than just the absence of conflict; it's a state of wholeness, well-being, and harmony. Jesus Himself promised His followers a distinct kind of peace, one "not as the world gives" (John 14:27), suggesting an internal tranquility independent of outward circumstances. This divine peace is presented in Philippians 4:6-7 as the result of bringing everything to God in prayer with thanksgiving, a peace that transcends human understanding and stands guard over our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Lecrae's call to "protect my peace" resonates deeply with this biblical promise – it's not a peace we generate entirely on our own, but one we are given, and one that requires vigilance to maintain against the world's disturbances and the enemy's tactics. Isaiah 26:3 promises perfect peace to those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in the Lord. Protecting this peace, then, is an act of actively maintaining trust and steadfastness in God amidst trials. It involves setting boundaries, not just relationally but mentally and spiritually, choosing where to invest energy and attention, and consciously releasing control over things beyond one's power to God, as encouraged by verses like Matthew 6:34 about not worrying about tomorrow. The song becomes an anthem for anyone striving to live a life rooted in faith and tranquility, advocating for the diligent stewardship of the peace God offers, understanding that this peace is a precious gift worth fighting for, relying on God's strength to do so.
