Rivers & Robots - High Priest Lyrics
Lyrics
Oh the humility of a King inside a manger
Our shepherd and our saviour on the cross
You gave Your life for me
Now, how can I repay You?
All the riches I could gain are not enough
You are the Prince of Peace
You’re our great high priest
You have made a way for me
You have set me free
You got thirsty, You got tired
You were tempted, You were tried
And You can fully sympathize
Cause You know just what it’s like to live this life
Fully God and fully man, who can fully comprehend the mystery?
You are the Prince of Peace
You’re our great high priest
You have made a way for me
You have set me free
I’ve found freedom in You Jesus
There is nothing in between us
You turn mourning into dancing
And sorrow into joy, oh Lord
Video
High Priest - Rivers & Robots (Official Lyric Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Rivers & Robots released "High Priest" on May 20, 2016, as part of their album, *The Eternal Son*, offering a profound reflection on the multifaceted nature of Jesus Christ. This song is far more than a simple melody; it's a deeply theological and worshipful journey, inviting us to ponder the immense grace and sacrifice at the heart of Christian faith. The title itself points directly to a central theme found extensively in the book of Hebrews, establishing Christ as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity.
The song immediately draws us into the paradox of Christ’s existence, opening with the "humility of a King inside a manger" and moving swiftly to His role as "our shepherd and our saviour on the cross." This encapsulates the divine narrative from incarnation to atonement. The profound humility of God becoming man, as described in Philippians 2:6-8, where He "made himself nothing," is contrasted with the ultimate act of love on the cross, echoing John 10:11, "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." The subsequent lines, "You gave Your life for me / Now, how can I repay You? / All the riches I could gain are not enough," beautifully articulate the Christian understanding of salvation by grace. There is an acknowledgment that no human effort or earthly wealth could ever match the infinite value of Christ's sacrifice, aligning with Ephesians 2:8-9 which states that salvation is "by grace through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works."
The recurring refrain, "You are the Prince of Peace / You’re our great high priest / You have made a way for me / You have set me free," forms the theological bedrock of the composition. "Prince of Peace" directly references Isaiah 9:6, celebrating Christ’s sovereign rule and the tranquility He brings. The declaration of Christ as "our great high priest" is where the song truly shines, drawing heavily from the rich theology of Hebrews. Unlike the Old Testament high priests who offered animal sacrifices year after year, Christ, our High Priest, offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11-14, 26). He lives forever to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:24-25), making a "way" for direct access to God that was previously impossible, fulfilling John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This new way brings true freedom, liberating us from the power of sin and death, a freedom beautifully articulated in Romans 8:2.
One of the most moving sections delves into Christ's shared humanity: "You got thirsty, You got tired / You were tempted, You were tried / And You can fully sympathize / Cause You know just what it’s like to live this life." This powerfully brings home the truth of Hebrews 4:15, which assures us that "we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." Jesus experienced the full spectrum of human emotions and struggles, from thirst at the well of Samaria (John 4:6) to weariness (John 19:28), and the fierce temptations in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). This shared experience allows Him to relate to our struggles with perfect empathy. The mystery of His being "fully God and fully man," a central tenet of orthodox Christianity, is acknowledged with the rhetorical question, "who can fully comprehend the mystery?" This dual nature is essential for His role as High Priest; only one who is truly God could bear the sins of the world, and only one who is truly man could represent humanity before God.
The song culminates in a powerful declaration of intimacy and transformation, affirming, "I’ve found freedom in You Jesus / There is nothing in between us." This echoes the tearing of the temple veil at Christ’s crucifixion (Matthew 27:51), symbolizing the removal of all barriers between God and His people, granting direct access to His presence (Hebrews 10:19-22). The final lines, "You turn mourning into dancing / And sorrow into joy, oh Lord," resonate with the prophetic hope found in passages like Psalm 30:11 and Isaiah 61:3. It's a testament to the transformative power of faith in Christ, demonstrating that His work as our High Priest extends beyond salvation to the ongoing renewal and emotional healing of our lives. "High Priest" by Rivers & Robots is a timeless anthem, robust in its theological grounding and deeply encouraging, reminding all who engage with its message of the unwavering love, perfect sacrifice, and profound empathy of our great High Priest, Jesus.