Pastor Brad - Cat of Nine-Tails Lyrics
Lyrics
Intro
Pain ... This device was designed to inflict pain.
Suffering ... The soldiers love it when the victims, start to scream
Sharp rocks... pieces of glass & iron to rip the flesh
Crack... Swing it harder, let him have it, another slash
Jesus... He took it all for you & me
His love... Motivated the suffering that set us free
Blood... his precious blood it ran down calvary
Forgiveness... he bore my sins on that wicked old tree
Chorus
Wicked claws...the cat of nine-tails has a bite that takes your breath away
Thankfulness... for what you did, it's a debt I could never repay
Poured out... you poured your life out on the cross for all my sin
But on the third day the tomb was open, you arose alive again!
Verse
I don't know how you took the pain that saved my soul
All I know is that your wounds have made me whole
I don't know how anyone could ever say no to your grace
All I know is that I love you and I can't wait to see your face
Instrumental solo
Verse (X2)
Video
80s Christian Metal Music - Cat of Nine Tails - Pastor Brad
Meaning & Inspiration
Pastor Brad’s "Cat of Nine-Tails," released on January 19, 2018, stands as a potent example of 80s Christian Metal music, delivering a message that resonates with raw honesty and profound theological depth. The song’s title immediately conjures images of ancient Roman cruelty, referring to the vicious flogging instrument used to inflict excruciating pain upon victims before crucifixion. This direct and unflinching approach sets the stage for a powerful reflection on Christ's sacrifice, weaving a narrative that grapples with suffering, atonement, and the ultimate triumph of grace. The song does not shy away from the brutality of the cross, but rather uses it as a stark backdrop against which the brilliance of God's love is illuminated.
The lyrical journey begins with a chilling description of the instrument itself and the suffering it caused, establishing the horrific reality of Christ's physical ordeal. Lines like "Pain... This device was designed to inflict pain" and "Sharp rocks... pieces of glass & iron to rip the flesh" are not merely descriptive; they immerse the listener in the stark reality of the scourging Jesus endured. This historical accuracy, depicting the Roman practice of flogging with an instrument designed for maximum torture, directly foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice. As the song progresses, it swiftly pivots from the graphic imagery of human cruelty to the divine purpose behind it: "Jesus... He took it all for you & me." This foundational truth, that His suffering was motivated by love and for our liberation, becomes the bedrock of the entire piece, aligning perfectly with Scriptural accounts such as Isaiah 53:5, which prophesies that "by His wounds we are healed," and John 19:1, where Pilate has Jesus flogged. The pouring out of "His precious blood" on Calvary is explicitly linked to "forgiveness" and the bearing of our sins on "that wicked old tree," echoing Hebrews 9:22, stating that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness, and 1 Peter 2:24, which affirms that He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree.
The chorus then crystallizes the song's central metaphor: "Wicked claws... the cat of nine-tails has a bite that takes your breath away." This image powerfully conveys the overwhelming intensity of Christ’s suffering, a pain so profound it symbolically steals the very breath of life. Yet, this visceral depiction quickly transitions into a heartfelt declaration of gratitude: "Thankfulness... for what you did, it's a debt I could never repay." This acknowledgment speaks to the immeasurable value of Jesus' sacrifice, a price only He could pay for humanity’s redemption, as Romans 5:8 declares, "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The theme of total surrender is encapsulated in "Poured out... you poured your life out on the cross for all my sin," reflecting Philippians 2:8 where Christ "humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." Critically, the chorus does not end with death, but with triumph: "But on the third day the tomb was open, you arose alive again!" This powerful declaration of the Resurrection transforms the narrative from one of despair to one of ultimate hope and victory, reinforcing the core message of the Gospel found in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, which states that Christ died for our sins and was raised on the third day.
The subsequent verse moves into a deeply personal reflection, transforming the historical event into a present-day spiritual reality. The speaker confesses a human inability to fully grasp the magnitude of Christ’s pain – "I don't know how you took the pain that saved my soul" – yet firmly asserts the transformative power of that suffering: "All I know is that your wounds have made me whole." This profound statement directly references the redemptive power of the cross, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 53:5. The lyrics then express genuine wonder at the accessibility of divine grace, questioning "how anyone could ever say no to your grace," a sentiment reflecting the boundless generosity of God’s offer of salvation through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). The song culminates in a declaration of unwavering love and eager anticipation for the eternal future: "All I know is that I love you and I can't wait to see your face." This expression of devotion and longing for direct communion with Christ echoes the promise of Revelation 22:4, assuring believers that one day "they will see His face." Pastor Brad's "Cat of Nine-Tails" thus serves not only as a stark reminder of the cost of salvation but also as a triumphant anthem of resurrection, gratitude, and an enduring hope that inspires and encourages deep spiritual introspection.