Petra - Filthy Lucre Lyrics
Lyrics
Based on 1 Timothy 3:3-5
In the shadows of the city
Where the lights deceive the night
There's a hunger never sated
A thirst that blinds the sight
Chasing gold and fleeting treasures, running after empty dreams
But in the end, they're left with nothing
Lost in hollow schemes
Oh, the lies that wealth can tell
Binding souls within their spell
[Chorus]
Filthy lucre, chains of gold
Binding senses, taking hold
Filthy lucre, chains of gold
Wound your conscience, stain your soul
In the darkness, hearts grow cold
Filthy lucre, lose your hold!
They build their towers high and mighty
On the backs of those in need
Never seeing, never caring
Blinded by their endless greed
But the riches of this world
Cannot save a dving soul
Only Christ can bring redemption
Only He can make us whole
Oh, the lies that wealth can tell
Binding souls within their spell
Filthy lucre, chains of gold
Binding senses, taking hold
In the darkness hearts grow cold
In the end the lies unfold
And the riches of this world
Cannot save a dying soul
Only Christ can bring redemption
Only He can make us whole
They build their towers high and mighty
On the backs of those in need
Never seeing, never caring
Blinded by their endless greed
But the riches of this world
Cannot save a dving soul
Only Christ can bring redemption
Only He can make us whole
Filthy lucre, chains of gold
Binding senses, taking hold
Filthy lucre, chains of gold
Wound your conscience, stain your soul
In the darkness, hearts grow cold
Only Christ can save your soul
In His love, we find our goal
Filthy lucre, lose your hold!
Filthy lucre, lose your hold!
Video
Filthy Lucre
Meaning & Inspiration
Petra’s "Filthy Lucre," a powerful track, immediately confronts the insidious allure of worldly wealth, anchoring its message firmly in the timeless wisdom of Scripture, specifically drawing inspiration from 1 Timothy 3:3-5. From its inception, the song dives headfirst into a spiritual battle, laying bare the deceptive nature of material pursuits and championing the eternal truth found only in Christ. It doesn't merely observe the problem; it exposes the spiritual cost, urging a profound re-evaluation of what truly satisfies the human heart.
The song’s title, "Filthy Lucre," itself is a direct biblical phrase, referring to dishonest or shameful gain, and it perfectly encapsulates the song’s core theme: the corrupting influence of covetousness. The narrative begins "In the shadows of the city," painting a vivid picture of a world where superficial lights mask a deeper spiritual darkness. Here, people are depicted chasing a "hunger never sated" and a "thirst that blinds the sight," relentlessly pursuing "gold and fleeting treasures" that ultimately leave them "lost in hollow schemes." This resonates deeply with the biblical understanding that the eye is never satisfied (Ecclesiastes 1:8) and that storing up treasures on earth is a futile endeavor prone to decay (Matthew 6:19-20). The pre-chorus then succinctly captures the core deception: "Oh, the lies that wealth can tell, Binding souls within their spell," highlighting how materialism can enthrall and mislead, making wealth an idol that promises much but delivers only emptiness.
The chorus serves as the song's urgent and unwavering declaration, directly addressing the destructive power of "Filthy lucre, chains of gold." This potent imagery of "chains of gold" brilliantly illustrates how something universally coveted can paradoxically become a spiritual bondage, binding senses and taking hold of one's very being. The lyrics are unsparing in their warning: this pursuit will "wound your conscience, stain your soul," depicting the moral compromises and spiritual decay that often accompany an insatiable hunger for riches. As hearts grow cold in this pursuit, the song reminds us that the pursuit of earthly gain often hardens one’s spirit, a truth echoed in various Scriptures where the love of money is called a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10).
Further into the song, the message sharpens its focus on the social injustices often fueled by greed. It speaks of those who "build their towers high and mighty On the backs of those in need, Never seeing, never caring, Blinded by their endless greed." This segment courageously confronts the exploitation and indifference inherent in unchecked materialism, drawing a clear parallel to biblical condemnations of the rich who oppress the poor, denying them justice and fair wages (James 5:1-6, Proverbs 28:27). Yet, the song is not content to merely expose the problem; it offers the profound, redemptive solution. It emphatically declares, "But the riches of this world Cannot save a dying soul," directly challenging the world’s false hope in material security. Instead, it points unequivocally to the only source of true salvation: "Only Christ can bring redemption, Only He can make us whole." This powerful assertion aligns perfectly with the Gospel message that no amount of worldly gain can compare to the value of one's soul, asking what it profits a person to gain the whole world yet forfeit their soul (Mark 8:36-37). Christ alone is presented as the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), the sole provider of lasting wholeness.
As the song builds to its climax, it reiterates these vital truths, underscoring that in the end, "the lies unfold," revealing the emptiness of material pursuits. The repeated call to "Filthy lucre, lose your hold!" is not just a musical refrain but a spiritual plea, an invitation to liberation from the grip of greed. The final lines bring the message full circle, transforming the warning into an inspiring affirmation of faith: "Only Christ can save your soul, In His love, we find our goal." This conclusion offers profound encouragement, reminding everyone that while the world may entice with fleeting treasures, the true, eternal purpose and fulfillment are found solely in a relationship with Jesus Christ. "Filthy Lucre" stands as a timeless anthem, a powerful biblical reminder to guard our hearts against the deceit of wealth and fix our gaze on the lasting treasures of God's kingdom.