Ray Boltz - O I O U Lyrics
Lyrics
OIOU
You're the one I want to serve forever
Oiou, oiou
OIOU
You're the one I want to serve forever
Oiou, oiou
Once I was sinking down
I called out your name
You caught my falling soul
And now I'm not the same
You are a mighty God
Holy and true
You've given me everything
I owe my life to you
I called out to you, O Lord
And you heard my cry
You lifted me out of the mire
And set my feet on high
Video
Ray Boltz - OIOU
Meaning & Inspiration
Ray Boltz’s powerful anthem, "O I O U," released on September 11, 1989, from his album *The Altar*, immediately immerses the hearer in a profound declaration of faith and gratitude. The title itself, a clever spiritual acronym, speaks volumes, representing an intimate "Oh, I owe You" or "Oh, I give myself to You," setting the stage for a heartfelt commitment to the Divine. This song is a testament to the transformative power of divine encounter, eschewing musical complexity in favor of an unadorned, direct message that resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced redemption.
The narrative of "O I O U" unfolds with a deeply personal recounting of spiritual rescue. The opening lines paint a vivid picture of a soul in crisis, "Once I was sinking down," a state that echoes the Psalmist’s cry from the depths of despair. This imagery immediately brings to mind passages like Psalm 69:2, where the psalmist laments sinking "in deep mire, where there is no foothold," or Psalm 40:2, "He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog." In that moment of utter helplessness, a desperate call was made: "I called out your name." This act of calling upon the Lord is a foundational principle of faith, as promised in Romans 10:13, "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." The immediate response, "You caught my falling soul," signifies God’s swift and merciful intervention, preventing complete spiritual collapse. The resulting transformation is undeniable and complete: "And now I'm not the same," reflecting the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
The song then moves from testimony to adoration, declaring God’s majestic nature and absolute trustworthiness. "You are a mighty God, Holy and true" is a straightforward affirmation of divine attributes found throughout Scripture. God's might is evident in creation and redemption (Psalm 33:9), and His holiness is proclaimed by heavenly beings (Isaiah 6:3) and His very nature (Leviticus 19:2). His truthfulness is a cornerstone of His character, making His promises unwavering (Psalm 145:13). The recognition that "You've given me everything" speaks not only to material blessings but, more profoundly, to the ultimate gift of salvation, grace, and eternal life, aligning with Ephesians 1:3, which speaks of God blessing us "in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places." The natural culmination of such boundless giving is expressed in the profound surrender: "I owe my life to you." This isn’t a debt born of burden but of boundless gratitude, an offering of one's entire being in service and devotion, as encouraged in Romans 12:1 to "present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
The final verses reiterate and deepen this theme of divine rescue and steadfastness. The plea, "I called out to you, O Lord, And you heard my cry," emphasizes God's attentiveness and compassion, a consistent biblical theme found in passages like Psalm 34:17, "When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles." The vivid imagery of being "lifted me out of the mire and set my feet on high" strongly echoes Psalm 40:2 once more, painting a picture of stability, security, and elevation from a place of despair to a position of grace and purpose. This isn't merely being saved from a pit, but being established firmly on solid ground, empowered to walk in righteousness and freedom. Ultimately, "O I O U" by Ray Boltz is a potent worship song that distills the essence of the Gospel into a simple, memorable declaration. It serves as a stirring reminder of God's redemptive love, His readiness to hear and rescue, and the believer's appropriate response of lifelong dedication and unwavering service. It encourages a life lived in humble gratitude, acknowledging that every breath and every moment is a gift owed back to the Giver of all good things.