Vineyard Worship - Kyrie Eleison Lyrics
Released: 19 Mar 2021
Lyrics
For the things we’ve done and left undone
For the ways we’ve wandered from your heart
Forgive us, we pray
Forgive us, we pray
For the idols we put on Your throne
For the loves we choose above Your own
Forgive us, we pray
Forgive us, we pray
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy on us, on us
For the lies that we clutch to our chests
For the fear that wants to steal our breath
Forgive us, we pray
And give us Your grace
Forgiving God, forgiving us
Video
KYRIE ELEISON [Official Lyric Video] | Vineyard Worship featuring Sarah Elmer
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on March 19, 2021, as part of the *LoFi Vineyard: Chill Worship Beats to Focus and Relax - EP*, Vineyard Worship’s "Kyrie Eleison" offers a profound moment of reflection, distilling an ancient prayer into a contemporary expression of repentance and reliance on divine mercy. The song serves as a spiritual anchor, inviting individuals to pause and consider their posture before a holy God, focusing not on melodic complexity, but on the enduring power of its simple, earnest message.
The phrase "Kyrie Eleison," meaning "Lord, have mercy," is a liturgical prayer with roots deep in Christian tradition, stretching back to the earliest church. It is a direct, humble plea for divine compassion, acknowledging human brokenness and the boundless grace of God. Vineyard Worship’s interpretation breathes new life into this timeless petition, setting a backdrop for genuine introspection. The prayer becomes a vehicle for expressing universal human failings and the unwavering hope in God's readiness to forgive, making it accessible for anyone seeking reconciliation and restoration.
The song’s opening lines immediately establish a tone of sincere confession, addressing "the things we’ve done and left undone" and "the ways we’ve wandered from your heart." This powerful declaration resonates with the biblical understanding of both sins of commission—our direct transgressions—and sins of omission, those righteous acts we fail to perform, as articulated in James 4:17: "whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." It speaks to the human tendency to stray from God’s intended path, a wandering akin to sheep without a shepherd, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture, notably in Isaiah 53:6, which states, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way." The plea "Forgive us, we pray" is a direct response to this realization, echoing the Psalmist’s cry for cleansing and a renewed spirit (Psalm 51:10).
Further exploring the depths of human brokenness, the song continues by acknowledging "the idols we put on Your throne" and "the loves we choose above Your own." This delves into the subtle yet pervasive nature of modern idolatry, where anything that takes precedence over God in our affections or devotion—be it career, relationships, comfort, or even good causes—becomes a competitor for the worship due to Him alone. Jesus taught that "no one can serve two masters" (Matthew 6:24), emphasizing the singular loyalty God demands. This call for forgiveness reminds us of the first commandment (Exodus 20:3), which unequivocally states, "You shall have no other gods before me," and challenges us to realign our priorities with divine love above all else.
The heart of the song, the repeated invocation "Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy on us, on us," is a direct outpouring of dependence. It is an honest admission that our salvation and sustenance come not from our own merit, but from God's gracious character. This direct address to both the Father and the Son underscores the Trinitarian aspect of divine compassion, reminding us of Christ’s role as our advocate and intercessor. It draws us to the throne of grace, where we can "with confidence draw near... that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). This plea acknowledges our shared human condition, that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23-24).
The petition deepens by confronting internal struggles: "For the lies that we clutch to our chests" and "For the fear that wants to steal our breath." These lines courageously face the inner battles of self-deception and anxiety that often plague the human spirit. The "lies" can be anything from false narratives we believe about ourselves or God to untruths we perpetuate, both spoken and unspoken. John 8:44 reminds us of the enemy's nature as "a liar and the father of lies," contrasting it with God's truth that sets us free. The "fear that wants to steal our breath" speaks to the pervasive anxieties of life that can paralyze us, stealing our peace and joy. Yet, Scripture consistently offers solace against fear, with promises like Psalm 34:4: "I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears." The song, through this acknowledgment, invites us to lay these burdens before God, trusting in His deliverance.
The concluding segment, "Forgive us, we pray / And give us Your grace / Forgiving God, forgiving us," beautifully articulates the desired outcome of this profound prayer. It is a dual request for both forgiveness—the wiping away of sin—and grace—the divine enablement to live righteously. It moves beyond mere absolution to an empowering transformation. This declaration embraces the core of the Gospel: God is inherently a forgiving God. As 1 John 1:9 assures us, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Furthermore, the request for grace aligns with the truth found in Ephesians 2:8-9, that salvation itself is "by grace you have been saved through faith... it is the gift of God." The song’s message is a powerful reminder that God delights in pardoning, as Micah 7:18-19 beautifully describes: "Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love." "Kyrie Eleison" ultimately encourages a continuous journey of humble confession and hopeful reception of God’s boundless love and mercy, fostering a dynamic relationship founded on His unending grace rather than human perfection.