How many times have you wrestled with feeling unworthy
Outside looking in
Like you and your sin don't belong
And that devil slips through
Starts telling you you've been abandoned
You've heard all his lies
But the truth's been the truth all along
You have been chosen
Seen, known, and loved every moment
Called by your name
Yes He knows it
So run like a child to your Father
You have not been forgotten
You have been chosen
If you want to see just how much a king thinks you matter
Well just look to the cross
Where love paid your cost in red
Oh He did what he did
'Cause it's you that He's been chasing after
(Yeah)
Just to rescue your heart
He stretched out His arms and said
You have been chosen
Seen, known, and loved every moment
Called by your name
Yes He knows it
So run like a child to your Father
You have not been forgotten
You have been chosen
You have been chosen
Come home to your seat at the table
Come home your new family
Oh the sinner who once was an orphan
Is now called a "Child of the King"
You have been chosen
Seen, known, and loved every moment
You have been chosen
Seen, known, and loved every moment
Called by your name
Yes He knows it
So run like a child to your Father
You have not been forgotten
You have been chosen
Whoa
'Cause you have been chosen
Ooohhh
Oh
So run like a child to your Father
You have not been forgotten
You have been chosen
Matthew West - Chosen (Lyric Video)
Chosen Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Matthew West's song "Chosen," released as a lyric video on July 26, 2024, immediately addresses the profound human struggle with feelings of inadequacy and isolation. The opening lines paint a vivid picture of wrestling with unworthiness, feeling like an outsider burdened by sin, and succumbing to the deceptive whispers that suggest abandonment. This sets the stage for the powerful counter-message that forms the heart of the song, speaking directly to the common experience of doubt and insecurity.
The central theme is introduced and powerfully reiterated in the chorus: "You have been chosen, Seen, known, and loved every moment, Called by your name, Yes He knows it." This declaration directly confronts the lies of worthlessness. It asserts a fundamental truth about identity rooted in God's perspective – not only are individuals known and loved, but they are specifically and intentionally *chosen*. The emphasis on being "called by your name" highlights a personal, intimate knowledge and recognition that God has for each person, countering any feeling of being overlooked or forgotten.
The bridge of the song points to the cross as the irrefutable evidence of this immeasurable value and love. It poses the question of how much "a king thinks you matter" and answers by directing listeners to the ultimate sacrifice where "love paid your cost in red." This act is presented not as a passive event, but as an active pursuit, showing that God has been "chasing after" the individual specifically "to rescue your heart." The image of stretched-out arms on the cross symbolizes both the embrace of love and the price paid for redemption, solidifying the message of being deeply valued. This mirrors the biblical truth that Christ's sacrifice is the ultimate demonstration of God's love for humanity.
A transformative aspect of being chosen is explored through the imagery of coming home. The song invites the listener to "Come home to your seat at the table," signifying belonging and inclusion. The transition from being a "sinner who once was an orphan" to being "called a 'Child of the King'" encapsulates the profound change in status and identity offered through this divine choosing. It speaks to the biblical concept of adoption into God's family, where those who were formerly estranged are brought near and given full rights as children.
The song culminates in a heartfelt invitation derived from this truth of being chosen. The repeated call to "run like a child to your Father" encourages a response of trust, freedom, and acceptance. Understanding that one is chosen, seen, known, and loved removes the barriers of shame and fear, allowing a confident return to the source of that love. The reassurance "You have not been forgotten" reinforces the enduring nature of this divine relationship and identity, urging listeners to embrace their position as a chosen child of God.
