When the world looks at me
I wonder what they see
Underneath these eyes
Oh, smiles masquerade as pain
And grow up to be shame
Then leave me with a lie
I know they, they don't see my flaws
Or these hidden scars
And all the mess I've made
Oh, so don't, don't let Sunday fool you
Here's my hallelujah
Every single day, I'm running to Your grace
Ey, ey, ey
I'm tired of this dirty heart
That keeps our world apart
I need Your loving fire
And even in these church clothes
I can't dress up my soul
To be free is my desire
I'm so far from where they think I am
But when I raise my hands
I'm reaching out for life
Oh, so don't, don't let Sunday fool you
Here's my hallelujah
Every single day, I'm running to Your grace
I know they, they don't see my flaws
Or these hidden scars
And all the mess I've made
Oh, so don't, don't let Sunday fool ya
Here's my hallelujah
Every single day, I'm running to Your grace
Running to Your grace
Ooh, I need it everyday
Sunday
Sunday Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Tori Kelly's song "Sunday," featured on her album *Hiding Place*, offers a deeply personal reflection on the contrast between outward presentation and inner reality. The song's video, released on September 16, 2018, provided a visual dimension to this theme. Lyrically, "Sunday" delves into the experience of feeling misunderstood, or perhaps more accurately, feeling seen superficially by the world. The opening lines paint a picture of internal struggle hidden behind a smile, where pain can mature into shame, leaving behind a facade. This sets the stage for the core message: the reality of internal brokenness exists beneath a composed exterior.
The song directly addresses the common perception that people might have, especially in settings often associated with perfection or spiritual piety. The artist reveals that others typically do not perceive her "flaws," "hidden scars," or the "mess" she feels she has made. This recognition leads to the song's central declaration: "don't let Sunday fool you." Sunday is often a day associated with putting on one's best, whether physically or spiritually, potentially masking the struggles of the other six days. The artist counters this by offering her "hallelujah" not just on Sunday, but "every single day," signifying a constant, daily turning towards grace.
Further exploring this internal conflict, the lyrics speak of a "dirty heart" that creates distance and a need for "loving fire." The line about wearing "church clothes" but being unable to "dress up" the soul powerfully conveys the idea that outward religious practices or appearances cannot mend inner brokenness. The desire expressed is for true freedom, which is internal and spiritual, not achieved through external conformity or presentation. This honest vulnerability highlights the gap between where others might *think* she is and her actual state, yet the act of raising hands is presented not as a performative gesture, but as a sincere reaching out for life and grace.
The repeated chorus reinforces the central theme: the superficiality of the "Sunday" facade and the daily reality of needing grace. The acknowledgment that others don't see the hidden struggles is reiterated, strengthening the message that true faith and spiritual growth are not about presenting a perfect image. They are instead about acknowledging one's imperfections and continuously seeking divine grace. The concluding lines, "Running to Your grace, Ooh, I need it everyday," serve as a poignant summary of the song's core message – that grace is not a one-time event or a weekly ritual, but a necessary, constant pursuit in the face of daily human frailty. This resonates with spiritual concepts found in scriptures that speak to the universal need for redemption and the accessibility of grace through faith, not works or outward appearance (e.g., Ephesians 2:8-9, which speaks of salvation by grace through faith, not of yourselves, lest anyone boast; and Hebrews 4:16, encouraging coming boldly to the throne of grace to find mercy and grace in time of need).
