Lyrics
Chorus
I'm too oiled to fail
I'm too oiled to fall
I'm too oiled to be small
I'm too oiled to be bound
I'm too oiled to fear
I'm too oiled to faint
I'm too oiled to be caged
I'm too oiled to be stopped
Refrain
He anoints me with oil
My cup runs over
He anoints you with oil
Your cup runs over
Verse 1
The spirit of the Lord is upon me
He has anointed me
To preach the good news
Verse 2
The spirit of the Lord is upon me
He has anointed me
To set the captives free
Verse 3
The spirit of the Lord is upon me
He has anointed me
To mend the broken hearts
Verse 4
The spirit of the Lord is upon me
He has anointed me
To give beauty for ashes
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
This declaration song repeats "I'm too oiled" with a list of things the singer will not do or be: fail, fall, stay small, be bound, fear, faint, be caged or be stopped. The oil stands for anointing, and the refrain ties it to the picture of God anointing with oil and a cup that runs over.
The four verses repeat a single opening, "The spirit of the Lord is upon me / He has anointed me", and complete it differently each time: to preach the good news, to set the captives free, to mend the broken hearts, and to give beauty for ashes. These phrases closely follow the words of Isaiah 61, which the Gospel of Luke records Jesus reading in the synagogue at Nazareth.
The refrain also turns outward with the line "He anoints you with oil", so the declaration is extended to listeners as well as the singer.
Related Scripture
- Isaiah 61:1-3 The passage describes an anointing to preach good news, bind up the brokenhearted and give beauty for ashes.
- Luke 4:18 Jesus reads the Isaiah passage in the synagogue and applies it to His ministry.
- Psalm 23:5 The psalmist says his head is anointed with oil and his cup overflows.