Petra - Altar Ego Lyrics
Lyrics
Words by Bob Hartman
Based on Matthew 6:5,16, James 4:6
I can tell by the look on your face
It's another day of fasting
I can tell by the length of the shadow
That your face is casting
And you look both ways before you pray
Just to see who's watching you today
(Chorus)
It's just your altar ego - and it's so hard to know
Beneath the piety and hidden vanity begins to show
It's just your altar ego - and you don't even know
And you won't even grow til His Spirit strikes a bow
To your altar ego
You love to seen by men
In all the public places
And you always pick the best of the seats
You've got the social graces
Can you be so proud of respect you've won
When your left hand knows what the irght has done
Turn around and face the One
Who knows your heart
He knows your heart
Video
Petra - Altar Ego
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on January 1, 1986, as part of their album *Back to the Street*, Petra’s “Altar Ego” stands as a potent musical sermon, directly confronting the insidious nature of religious hypocrisy. The song’s very title is a clever play on words, combining "alter ego"—a secondary self or personality—with "altar," the sacred space of worship. This brilliant linguistic twist immediately sets the stage for a deep dive into the human tendency to cultivate a performative spiritual self, one that seeks the approval of others rather than the genuine favor of God. It's a challenging yet ultimately liberating call to introspection, urging individuals to strip away the veneer of outward piety and embrace true humility before their Creator.
The narrative of “Altar Ego” unfolds with a sharp, observational eye, painting a vivid picture of someone whose spiritual practices are tinged with self-promotion. The opening lines, describing a face that betrays "another day of fasting" and a shadow cast with deliberate length, immediately resonate with the warnings found in Matthew 6:16-18. Here, Jesus explicitly cautions against fasting with a sorrowful countenance, making a public spectacle of one’s devotion to gain human praise. Petra’s lyrics echo this, pointing out the subtle cues of someone meticulously ensuring their spiritual discipline is noticed. This extends to prayer as well, as the song critically observes, "you look both ways before you pray / Just to see who's watching you today." This imagery directly evokes Matthew 6:5, where Jesus admonishes those who love to pray standing in synagogues and on street corners "that they may be seen by others." The song argues that such actions transform sacred practices into theatrical performances, where the audience is human, not divine.
The chorus delivers the song’s core message with undeniable force: “It’s just your altar ego – and it’s so hard to know / Beneath the piety and hidden vanity begins to show.” This declares that the problem lies not in the spiritual acts themselves, but in the heart’s intent. Piety, when divorced from genuine humility, becomes a fertile ground for vanity to sprout, often unnoticed by the individual themselves. The concept of an “altar ego” brilliantly encapsulates this false self – a religious persona crafted for outward display, often at odds with the inner spiritual state. The song’s profound insight is that this self-deception can be so complete that "you don't even know" you are living under its sway. The only antidote, it asserts, is divine intervention: "And you won't even grow til His Spirit strikes a bow / To your altar ego." This powerful line suggests that the Holy Spirit must decisively confront, humble, and break down this proud, performative self for any real spiritual growth to occur. It’s a recognition that true transformation is not self-wrought but Spirit-led, dismantling the ego to build up the authentic spirit.
Further reinforcing its message, the second verse expands on the themes of public recognition and social graces, stating, “You love to be seen by men / In all the public places / And you always pick the best of the seats / You've got the social graces.” This imagery aligns seamlessly with Matthew 23:5-7, where Jesus condemns the Pharisees for doing their deeds to be seen by men, loving the places of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues. The song then poses a poignant question: "Can you be so proud of respect you've won / When your left hand knows what the right has done?" This line not only challenges the pride derived from human applause but also directly references Matthew 6:3, where Jesus instructs His followers to give alms in secret, "so that your left hand may not know what your right hand is doing." The profound implication is that even good deeds become corrupted when performed with an eye toward human recognition, ultimately fostering pride instead of humility. This deepens the critique, highlighting how even benevolent acts can fuel the "altar ego" if the motive is not pure.
The song culminates in a direct, compelling invitation: “Turn around and face the One / Who knows your heart.” This urgent call serves as a spiritual pivot, redirecting the focus from outward appearance to inward reality. It is a powerful reminder that while human beings see the outward appearance, the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). The repetition of "He knows your heart" emphasizes God's omniscience and His desire for authenticity, providing both a sober warning and a comforting assurance. This final exhortation draws heavily from James 4:6, which states, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." "Altar Ego" is thus not merely a critique; it is an inspiring call to embrace the liberating truth of genuine humility, to shed the masks of religious performance, and to stand transparently before the God who sees all and offers transformative grace to those who truly seek Him. Its message remains eternally relevant, continually challenging believers to examine their motives and pursue a faith rooted in sincerity and devotion, rather than the fleeting approval of others.