Lyrics
Verse 1
Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You have been so, so kind to me
Chorus
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, oh-ohh
Verse 2
When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me, oh-ohh
You have been so, so good to me, oh-oh-ohh-oh-ohh-oh
When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me, yeah-e-eh
You have been so, so kind to me
Chorus
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, oh-ohh
Oh-ohhh
Bridge
There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me, oh-oh-ohh-ohh
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me, yeah-eh-ehh
There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me, oh-oh-ohh-ohh
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me
Outro
There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me
Original Version
This page covers a cover recording of the song. See the original: Reckless Love by Cory Asbury lyrics.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Reckless Love” portrays divine love as unearned, self-giving, and relentless in its pursuit of the lost. The opening lines place that love before speech, breath, or personal achievement. The chorus then uses the image of leaving the ninety-nine to seek one, clearly echoing Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep.
The second verse contrasts hostility and feelings of worthlessness with love that acts first and pays the cost. The bridge expands the same theme through images of light, climbing, broken barriers, and exposed lies. Taken together, these lines describe love not as a reward for worthiness, but as grace that seeks, rescues, and gives itself freely. The song’s language is dramatic, yet its central claims remain tied to familiar biblical themes: God loves sinners before they can earn favor, salvation is a gift, and the lost are actively sought.
Related Scripture
- Luke 15:4-7 Jesus’ parable describes a shepherd leaving ninety-nine sheep to seek the lost one.
- Romans 5:8 God’s love is demonstrated through Christ’s death for sinners.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation is described as a gift of grace, not a reward for works.