Michael W. Smith - Purified Lyrics
Lyrics
Verse1
Where the angels see
You are praised as You should be.
But how can I express
My yearning for Your Holiness.
May it be (that)
Chorus
I will open my heart
Search me in the deepest part.
And I will stand in cleansing fire,
By You, purified,
By You I'm purified.
Verse 2
Savior of my soul
To your strength I yield control.
Purge me of my stain
Sin will lose it's mortal reign.
Make me free (and)
Chorus
I will open my heart
Search me in the deepest part.
And I will stand in cleansing fire,
By You, purified,
By You I'm purified.
Bridge
You are Holy
You are Holy
Yes You are Holy
You are Holy
You are Holy
Holy
Chorus
I will open my heart
Search me in the deepest part.
And I will stand in cleansing fire,
By You, purified,
By You I'm purified.
Bridge
You are Holy
You are Holy
Yes You are Holy
You are Holy
You are Holy
Holy
Video
Michael W. Smith-Purified
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on October 2, 2009, "Purified" by Michael W. Smith stands as a potent expression of deep spiritual longing and surrender, drawing directly from biblical themes of cleansing and holiness. The song’s genesis seems rooted in a profound awareness of God’s unparalleled purity, a stark contrast to the human condition, eloquently captured in the opening verse’s acknowledgment of celestial praise that the earthly believer struggles to fully emulate. This yearning for God’s Holiness, a concept central to Old and New Testament theology, fuels the song’s central plea. The lyrics articulate a desire not just for outward conformity but for an inner transformation, a willingness to be thoroughly examined and refined by the divine.
The core message of "Purified" revolves around the believer's active participation in their own spiritual refinement, inviting God’s searching presence. The chorus, "I will open my heart, search me in the deepest part, and I will stand in cleansing fire, by You, purified," powerfully encapsulates this sentiment. This is not a passive reception of grace but a conscious surrender, a willingness to walk through the metaphoric "cleansing fire." This imagery resonates with scriptural accounts of God refining His people, such as in Malachi 3:2-3, where the Lord is described as a refiner’s fire, purifying the sons of Levi. Similarly, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 speaks of individual faith being tested by fire, resulting in either gold, silver, precious stones, or wood, hay, stubble, depending on the foundation. The song’s insistence on being “purified” speaks to the transformative power of God, aligning with passages like Titus 2:14, which states Christ gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession.
The second verse expands on this by acknowledging Jesus as the "Savior of my soul" and expressing a yielding of control. The request to be "purged of my stain" and for "sin to lose its mortal reign" is a direct plea for liberation from the bondage of sin, a promise fulfilled through Christ’s atoning sacrifice. This echoes the prayer of David in Psalm 51:7, "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." The desire to be made free, as mentioned at the end of the verse, directly connects to Jesus’ declaration in John 8:36, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." The repeated affirmation of God’s holiness in the bridge serves as a constant reminder of the divine standard to which the believer aspires. The song, therefore, is an intimate confession and a bold declaration of faith, emphasizing the ongoing work of God in making believers holy, reflecting the ultimate prayer of Jesus in John 17:17, "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." "Purified" is a masterful devotional, urging a deeper engagement with the transformative power of God's grace.