Matisyahu - Jerusalem Lyrics
Lyrics
(Matisyahu)
In the ancient days, we will return with no delay
Picking up the bounty and the spoils on our way
We've been traveling from state to state
And them don't understand what they say
3,000 years with no place to be
And they want me to give up my milk and honey
Don't you see, it's not about the land or the sea
Not the country but the dwelling of his majesty
Chorus
Jerusalem, if I forget you,
fire not gon' come from me tongue.
Jerusalem, if I forget you,
let my right hand forget what it's supposed to do.
(Matisyahu)
Rebuild the temple and the crown of glory
Years gone by, about sixty
Burn in the oven in this century
And the gas tried to choke, but it couldn't choke me
I will not lie down, I will not fall asleep
They come overseas, yes they're trying to be free
Erase the demons out of our memory
Change your name and your identity
Afraid of the true and our dark history
Why is everybody always chasing we
Cut off the roots of your family tree
Don't you know that's not the way to be
Chorus
(Matisyahu)
Caught up in these ways, and the worlds gone craze
Don't you know it's just a phase
Case of the Simon says
If I forget the truth then my words won't penetrate
Babylon burning in the place, can't see through the haze
Chop down all of them dirty ways,
That's the price that you pay for selling lies to the youth
No way, not ok, oh no way, not ok, hey
Aint no one gonna break my stride
Aint no one gonna pull me down
Oh no, I got to keep on moving
Stay alive
Chorus
Video
Matisyahu - Jerusalem (Out Of Darkness Comes Light) (Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Matisyahu’s 2009 release, "Jerusalem (Out Of Darkness Comes Light)," stands as a powerful testament to faith amidst adversity, channeling a deep yearning for spiritual connection and a hopeful anticipation of redemption. The song draws its profound resonance from Matisyahu’s own journey as a spiritual seeker, blending his Hasidic Jewish roots with a universal message of resilience and the enduring promise of a brighter future. The narrative powerfully evokes the biblical city of Jerusalem, a symbol of both historical struggle and ultimate divine promise, a place where the physical and spiritual converge. The lyrics, though often abstract, speak to a deeply personal experience of being lost and then finding one’s way back to a divine source, mirroring the ancient prophecies of restoration.
The core message of "Jerusalem" can be powerfully illuminated by drawing parallels with numerous biblical passages that speak to hope and deliverance in times of trial. The song’s very title, "Out Of Darkness Comes Light," echoes the fundamental promise of God’s redemptive plan, as seen in Isaiah 9:2, which foretells that "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned." This is a theme revisited throughout Scripture, particularly in the prophetic visions of a restored Israel and a world brought into alignment with God's will. Matisyahu’s exploration of inner turmoil and the subsequent emergence into clarity and divine presence finds echoes in Psalms, where David often cries out from distress only to find solace and praise in God's faithfulness, such as in Psalm 30:5, which states, "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor is lifelong; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes with the morning." The song’s focus on seeking a spiritual homeland, a place of ultimate peace and divine habitation, aligns with the longing expressed by the Psalmist in Psalm 137:1, "By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion." Matisyahu’s vision in "Jerusalem" speaks to this same deep-seated human desire for belonging and for a place where God’s presence is fully manifest, a vision that underpins the Christian hope of a heavenly Jerusalem, as described in Revelation 21:1-4, where God dwells with humanity and wipes away every tear. The song, therefore, functions not just as a musical piece but as a spiritual declaration, encouraging listeners to hold onto faith even when surrounded by darkness, trusting that the light of divine presence will ultimately prevail, bringing about restoration and renewal.