Petra - Clean Lyrics
Lyrics
Words and music by Bob Hartman
Based on 1 John 1:9, John 15:3
You may see me stumble, you may see might fall
You may see me cornered with my back against the wall
Maybe incognito, maybe out to lunch
Maybe caught red-handed or maybe just a hunch
(Chorus)
I'm clean, clean, clean before my Lord
I'm clean, clean, clean before my Lord
Like a spotless lamb, I'm blameless in His sight
With no trace of wrong left to right
I'm clean, clean, clean
Kneeling in the closet begging daily bread
There may be a skeleton hanging overhead
Where are my accusers, nowhere to be found
They all dropped their stones when the Master came around
I've missed the mark I can't deny it
I don't condone or justify it
But I've donen othing that His blood can't wash away
When I take it to the cross and start to pray
Video
Classic Petra 02 - Clean (Back To The Rock Live)
Meaning & Inspiration
Petra's powerful declaration, "Clean," released in 1985 as part of their album *Beat the System*, immediately immerses listeners into a profound exploration of grace and redemption. The song, penned by Bob Hartman, draws its foundational truth from 1 John 1:9 and John 15:3, addressing the deeply human struggle with sin and the divine promise of cleansing. It articulates the liberating reality that even amidst our visible imperfections and secret failings, believers can stand righteous before God, not by their own merit, but through the atoning work of Christ.
The narrative of "Clean" begins by candidly acknowledging the outward struggles of a follower of faith. The opening lines, detailing instances where one might "stumble," "fall," or be "caught red-handed," resonate with the universal experience of human frailty. It recognizes that our walk of faith isn't one of flawless execution, but a journey where mistakes are made, both openly and in secret. This raw honesty sets the stage for a message of hope, preventing any false pretense of perfection and grounding the song in relatable, everyday realities. It echoes the very heart of Romans 7, where even a committed believer grapples with the tension between wanting to do good and the persistent presence of sin.
The chorus then explodes with the triumphant declaration: "I'm clean, clean, clean before my Lord." This isn't a boast of personal achievement, but a confident proclamation of an imputed righteousness. The imagery of being "like a spotless lamb, blameless in His sight" directly points to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Our blamelessness before God is a gift, a legal standing secured by Christ's sacrifice, as affirmed in Colossians 1:22, where we are presented "holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation." The assertion that there's "no trace of wrong left to right" speaks to the completeness of divine forgiveness, a cleansing so thorough that no stain remains in God's eyes.
Further deepening this truth, the song moves into the quiet confession of private prayer, "kneeling in the closet begging daily bread." This intimate moment of seeking God’s provision also confronts the shadow of past misdeeds, metaphorically represented by a "skeleton hanging overhead." Yet, this moment of vulnerability quickly turns to victory as the accusers vanish. The potent image of accusers dropping their stones as "the Master came around" is a direct, evocative parallel to the story in John 8, where Jesus disarms the condemnation aimed at the woman caught in adultery. It powerfully illustrates that when Christ is present, accusation loses its power; there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
The bridge serves as a humble yet vital confession, stating, "I've missed the mark I can't deny it; I don't condone or justify it." This is an honest admission of sin, acknowledging wrongdoing without making excuses. However, this confession is immediately met with the overwhelming assurance of God's grace: "But I've done nothing that His blood can't wash away, when I take it to the cross and start to pray." This line encapsulates the essence of Christian repentance and forgiveness. It underscores the boundless power of Christ's blood to cleanse from all sin, as declared in 1 John 1:7 and Revelation 1:5, which states He "loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood." The act of taking sin to "the cross" and engaging in "prayer" highlights the personal, active step of faith required to receive this cleansing, reminding us that forgiveness is readily available to all who confess and believe.
"Clean" stands as a timeless anthem of hope and assurance for any believer who has ever wrestled with guilt or felt unworthy. It passionately communicates that our standing before God is not contingent on our fluctuating performance, but on the unwavering, perfect work of Christ. It encourages believers to live confidently in the truth of their divine justification, knowing that while they may stumble, their identity in Christ remains "clean." This song truly serves as a spiritual balm, directing our gaze from our shortcomings to the perfect, complete redemption offered through the cross, inspiring a profound sense of peace and gratitude for God's immeasurable grace.