Petra - He's Been in My Shoes Lyrics
Lyrics
Words and music by Bob Hartman
Based on Hebrews 2:18, 4:15
Here in my hour of need
I'm lonely, forsaken again
I'm wounded and left here to bleed
With no solace from a stranger or friend
Who hears my cry to revive and restore?
One who has been here before
(Chorus)
He's been in my shoes
Been down this road before
He's been tested, too
He's been through this door
He feels the pain and He heals the bruise
He's been in my shoes
He's been in my shoes
The union of God in a man
Is a mystery that I can't understand
And now with my suffering known
I'm reminded that I'm never alone
Who has been tried and been tempted this way?
Jesus who now hears me pray
He was a man just like me
But He lived His life blamelessly
Now I'm beginning to see
He holds my hand
He understands
Video
Petra Kaye - Chorus Medley Live [Extended Version]
Meaning & Inspiration
Released in 1993 as part of Petra's album *Wake-Up Call*, "He's Been in My Shoes" delves into the profound comfort found in the Christian faith, specifically the assurance that Jesus understands our struggles because He has experienced them Himself. Bob Hartman's masterful songwriting, drawing directly from Hebrews 2:18 and 4:15, lays bare the human condition of suffering, loneliness, and the desperate cry for a sympathetic ear. The song's narrative begins with the raw vulnerability of someone feeling abandoned and wounded, questioning if anyone truly hears their pain. This is where the song pivots, introducing the central thesis: the divine empathy of Christ.
The lyrical core of "He's Been in My Shoes" is the powerful assertion of Christ's lived experience of human trials. The chorus, a direct echo of the scriptural themes, proclaims that Jesus has walked this difficult path, has been tested, and has overcome it. This isn't merely an abstract theological concept; it's presented as a tangible source of solace. The understanding that God Himself, in the person of Jesus, experienced suffering—temptation, pain, and the sting of forsakenness—offers a unique and deeply comforting perspective. This resonates powerfully with the biblical accounts of Jesus weeping, feeling sorrow, and experiencing the full spectrum of human emotion. His temptation in the wilderness, as detailed in Matthew 4 and Luke 4, serves as a prime example of His being tested in every way, just as the song states. Furthermore, His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, culminating in His crucifixion, illustrates the depth of His suffering. Hebrews 4:15, which speaks of having a High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses, finds its most profound expression in this song. It's not just that Jesus *knows* our pain, but that He *felt* it, making His empathy uniquely potent.
The second verse expands on this, grappling with the theological mystery of the Incarnation – God becoming man. Yet, even this profound mystery is framed through the lens of comfort: in His humanity, Jesus’ suffering is known, and we are reminded that we are never truly alone. The lyrics highlight that Jesus was tempted and tried, a direct allusion to His human nature as depicted in the Gospels. The song concludes with a beautiful affirmation of Christ's blameless life, not as a point of unattainable perfection, but as the foundation for His ability to truly hold our hand and understand. This reflects the New Testament emphasis on Jesus as our perfect High Priest, who, having lived a sinless life, can offer redemption and intercession for humanity. The message is ultimately one of hope and unwavering support, rooted in the belief that our Savior, having walked in our very shoes, offers complete understanding and healing.