Lyrics
Keep my heart tender keep my heart pure
I want to be like Mary with that alabaster jar
Pouring out everything, pouring out everything
Keep my heart open keep my heart true
Just like a child I’ll follow after you
Doing just as you do, doing just as you do
Ohhhh that you would have the glory, I just want to see you honored
Ohhhh that you would have the glory, let my life be praise to you
Keep my heart tender keep my heart pure
I want be like Mary with that alabaster jar
Pouring out everything, pouring out everything
Ohhhh that you would have the glory, I just wanna see you honored
Ohhhh that you would have the glory, let my life be praise to you
Ohhhh that you would have the glory, I just wanna see you honored
Ohhhh that you would have the glory, let my life be praise to you
I want to be spilled out, I want to be spilled out
I want to go all out in my love for you
I want to be spilled out, I want to be spilled out
I want to go all out in my love for you
I want to be spilled out, I want to be spilled out
I want to go all out in my love for you
I want to be spilled out, I want to be spilled out
I want to go all out in my love for you
Ohhhh that you would have the glory, I just wanna see you honored
Ohhhh that you would have the glory, let my life be praise to you
I want to be spilled out, I want to be spilled out
I want to go all out in my love for you
I want to be spilled out, I want to be spilled out
I want to go all out in my love for you
I never want to miss a moment, to give you everything you're worth
I never want to miss a moment, to pour my oil at your feet Lord
Because you're worthy, you were worthy ten years ago Lord and you're worthy tonight
You were worthy twenty years ago and you're worthy tonight
Jesus it's just the truth you’re worthy
You are worthy, so many years ago and still you're worthy tonight Lord
Oh that you would have it all (Jesus)
Oh that you would have it all
Oh that you would have it all
Oh that you would have it all
Oh that you would have it all
Here we are tonight Lord, here we are Lord
Oh we are, we are the offering tonight Lord
We are the offering tonight Lord, we are the offering tonight Lord
It’s our lives, it’s our love Lord, we are the offering
(Let’s sing it out, oh that you would have it all)
Oh that you would have it all
Oh that you would have it all
Oh that you would have it all
Oh that you would have it all (everything we have)
Oh that you would have it all
Oh that you would have it all
Oh that you would have it all
Oh that you would have it all
Ohhhh that you would have the glory, I just want see you honored
Ohhhh that you would have the glory, let my life be praise to you
Oh that you would have it all
Oh that you would have it all
Oh that you would have it all
Oh like Mary gave that costly perfume
Like Mary did
She had been forgiven but she loved much
Oh and they might have mocked her, oh but she loved much
And you loved that Lord you loved that Lord
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Keep My Heart Tender” centers on a prayer for a soft, pure, and obedient heart. Its images of Mary, the alabaster jar, and oil poured at Jesus’ feet present worship as an unreserved offering. The repeated desire that God receive all the glory gives the song a clear focus: a life of praise is described not only by words, but by love, surrender, and obedience.
The later lines expand that image by calling the worshipers themselves an offering. That language closely echoes Romans 12:1, where a life offered to God is called spiritual worship. The alabaster-jar image also recalls Mary’s act of devotion in John 12, while the refrain’s plea for Jesus to be honored keeps the emphasis on His worthiness. Together, the prayer for tenderness and the language of costly devotion portray worship as a continuing response to Christ rather than a passing emotional moment.
Related Scripture
- John 12:3 Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with costly perfume, matching the song’s alabaster image.
- Romans 12:1 Paul calls believers to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice and spiritual worship.