Lyrics
Verse 1
Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You have been so, so kind to me
Chorus
And O, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
O, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine
And I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
O, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Verse 2
When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me
You have been so, so good to me
When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me
You have been so, so kind to me
Chorus
And O, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
O, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine
And I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
O, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God!
Bridge (x4)
There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me
Chorus
O, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
O, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine
And I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
O, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God!
Chorus
O, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
O, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine
And I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
O, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God!
Original Version
This page covers a cover recording of the song. See the original: Reckless Love by Cory Asbury lyrics.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
This arrangement of “Reckless Love” begins with an instrumental opening and then follows the usual order of verse, chorus, second verse, chorus, and bridge. The chorus opens with an added “And O,” which gives the first line a slight lift. The bridge is written out four times, then the chorus returns, a marked turn follows, and one more chorus closes the song.
The first verse sets the direction of the whole lyric: before the singer could speak or breathe, God was already singing and giving life. That idea fits the prophet's picture of the Lord rejoicing over his people with singing. The second verse moves to the singer's weakness, with “When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me,” which matches Paul's teaching that Christ paid the cost for sinners. The extra closing chorus keeps the final attention on the central image of a shepherd who “leaves the ninety-nine,” as in Luke 15.
Related Scripture
- Zephaniah 3:17 The prophet says the Lord will rejoice over his people with singing.
- Luke 15:4-7 Jesus tells of a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to find one that is lost.
- Romans 5:8 Paul writes that Christ died for sinners while they were still sinners.