Lyrics
Verse 1
You're the God who feeds five thousand hungry people
You're the God who stops the guilty stranger being stoned
You're the God who judges us as with fire -
The justice that you bring is merciful
(The justice that you bring is merciful)
Chorus
You rule, you reign!
Let justice like a river roll again
You rule, you reign!
Let justice like a river roll again
Verse 2
You're the God who dethrones kings and exiles nations
Whose judgement is the path that leads us home
You're the God who speaks His word from the fire -
The justice that you bring is powerful
The justice that you bring is powerful!
Bridge
The fire and the flood
Are reconciling us
To the God who is Sovereign
The famine and the feast
Are returning you and me
To the God who who is Sovereign
Verse 3
You're the God who hears the song of the forgotten
Who liberates the captive and the slave
You're the God who walks with us in the fire
The justice that you bring is here today
(The justice that you bring is here today)
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Justice is a worship song built on the idea that God's justice is merciful as well as powerful. The verses list works of God that show both sides: feeding five thousand, stopping a stranger from being stoned, dethroning kings, hearing the forgotten and freeing captives. Each is followed by the line that the justice He brings is merciful, powerful or present today.
The chorus echoes Amos 5:24 with the prayer "Let justice like a river roll again" and adds the declaration "You rule, you reign!" The bridge speaks of fire, flood, famine and feast as ways that God brings people back to Himself as Sovereign, a thought that fits Isaiah 43:2 and Psalm 66:10-12. The stories behind the verses come from John 6 and John 8:1-11, with the closing verse recalling Psalm 146:7 on freeing prisoners. The lyrics focus on God's character more than on feeling, so the song suits times when a congregation prays for justice with confidence in His mercy.
Related Scripture
- Amos 5:24 Justice is to roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
- John 8:1-11 Jesus stops the stoning of a woman caught in sin and shows mercy.
- Psalm 146:7 The Lord executes justice for the oppressed and sets prisoners free.