Selah - Wonderful, Merciful Savior Lyrics
Lyrics
Wonderful, merciful Saviour
Precious Redeemer and Friend
Who would've thought that a Lamb could
Rescue the souls of men
Oh, You rescue the souls of men
Counselor, Comforter, Keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have
Hopelessly lost our way
Oh, we've hopelessly lost the way
Chorus:
You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh, our hearts always hunger for
Almighty, infinite Father
Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh, we're falling before Your throne
Repeat Chorus
Video
Selah - "Wonderful Merciful Savior" (Official Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Selah's rendition of "Wonderful, Merciful Savior," released on August 26, 2016, as part of their *Greatest Hymns, Vol. 2* album, offers a profound and deeply resonant meditation on the multifaceted nature of Jesus Christ. The song is not merely a collection of beautiful phrases; it is a theological tapestry woven with rich scriptural truth, aiming to uplift and inspire listeners by highlighting the redemptive power and unwavering faithfulness of God. At its core, the hymn acknowledges humanity's inherent fallenness and our desperate need for a rescuer, a role brilliantly fulfilled by Christ, who is depicted as a Lamb—a poignant symbol of sacrifice and innocence, as found in Revelation 5:12 where the Lamb is praised for being worthy to open the scroll and the seven seals. The lyrics articulate this rescue with the astonishing question, "Who would've thought that a Lamb could / Rescue the souls of men?" echoing the surprising and humble path God chose for salvation, a stark contrast to the world’s expectations of power and might. This salvific act is precisely what is promised in Isaiah 53:5-6, stating that by His wounds we are healed and that we all, like sheep, have gone astray, turning to our own way.
Further enriching the theological landscape, the song personifies the Holy Spirit as the "Counselor, Comforter, Keeper," a direct allusion to Jesus’ promises in John 14:16 and 14:26, where He speaks of sending the Advocate, the Spirit of truth, who will teach and remind believers of all that He has said. This divine presence is presented as an indispensable source of hope, particularly for those who feel lost or adrift in their spiritual journey. The phrase "Hopelessly lost our way" speaks to a profound human condition, a spiritual disorientation that only divine intervention can rectify. The chorus then powerfully centers this understanding on worship, proclaiming, "You are the One that we praise / You are the One we adore." This adoration stems from the healing and grace that believers receive, a grace that is continually sought and cherished, mirroring the sentiment in Hebrews 4:16, which encourages us to approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
The hymn continues its exploration of God's character by addressing Him as the "Almighty, infinite Father," emphasizing His boundless power and His steadfast, faithful love for His people. This divine love is shown not in ignoring our flaws but in actively seeking us out, even in our "weakness," as we "fall before Your throne." This imagery powerfully conveys our utter dependence on God and His unending patience. It resonates with verses like Romans 5:8, which states that God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. The act of falling before His throne is a posture of humility and surrender, acknowledging His sovereignty and our need for His mercy. Selah's rendition of this timeless hymn serves as a powerful reminder of the foundational truths of the Christian faith: the sacrificial love of Christ, the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit, and the unfailing faithfulness of God, offering solace and inspiration to all who listen.