Zach Williams - To the Table Live from Harding Prison
Lyrics
Hear the voice of love that's calling
There's a chair that waits for you
And a Friend who understands
Everything you're going through
But you keep standing at a distance
In the shadow of your shame
There's a light of hope that's shining
Won't you come and take your place
[Chorus]
And bring it all to the table
There's nothing He ain't seen before
For all your fear all your sorrow and your sadness
There's a Savior and He calls
Bring it all to the table
He can see the weight you carry
The fears that hold your heart
But through the cross you've been forgiven
You're accepted as you are
So bring it all to the table
There's nothing He ain't seen before
For all your trials all your worries and your burdens
There's a Savior and He calls
Bring it all to the table
Bring it all
You can bring it all
And come on in take your place
There's no one who's turned away
All you sinners all you saints
Come right in and find your grace
Come on in take your place
There's no one who's turned away
All you sinners all you saints
Come on in and find your grace
And bring it all to the table
There's nothing he ain't seen before
For all your sin all your sorrow and your sadness
There's a Savior and he calls
Bring it all to the table
To The Table
To The Table Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Zach Williams' song "To The Table," particularly in its powerful live recording from Harding Prison released in 2018, serves as a direct and tender invitation to those feeling lost, burdened, or distant from God. The opening lines immediately establish this call, speaking of a "voice of love" and a waiting "chair," personifying acceptance and belonging. It acknowledges the very real human experience of standing "at a distance" and feeling overshadowed by "shame," a common barrier to connection, before shining a light of hope and urging the listener to "take your place" at this welcoming table.
The central message is crystallized in the recurring chorus. It is a call to "bring it all to the table," emphasizing that there is nothing the divine host "ain't seen before." This line powerfully dismantles the fear of judgment, assuring listeners that their "fear, all their sorrow, and their sadness" or later, their "trials, all their worries, and your burdens," and ultimately their "sin," are not disqualifiers. Instead, the focus is on the presence of a "Savior" who extends the invitation nonetheless. The table becomes a metaphor for God's presence, grace, and the intimate communion offered through faith.
Further emphasizing the depth of this acceptance, the lyrics note that the Savior "can see the weight you carry" and the "fears that hold your heart." Crucially, it immediately follows this with the assertion that "through the cross you've been forgiven" and are "accepted as you are." This grounds the invitation in the core Christian belief of redemption through Christ's sacrifice, making the acceptance unconditional and already secured, not earned by cleaning oneself up first.
The bridge expands the invitation even wider, declaring, "There's no one who's turned away." It specifically includes "All you sinners, all you saints," bridging the perceived divide between those struggling openly and those perhaps maintaining a facade of perfection. Both are called to "come right in and find your grace." This highlights the universal need for grace and the boundless nature of the invitation, open to anyone who chooses to accept it, regardless of their past actions or current status. The repeated encouragement to "come on in take your place" reinforces the message of belonging and welcome.
The setting of the Harding Prison performance profoundly amplifies the song's themes. Singing these words of unconditional love, forgiveness, and acceptance within the walls of a correctional facility adds a layer of authenticity and poignancy. It directly addresses an audience often marked by deep shame, regret, and societal judgment, making the message that they are seen, loved, forgiven, and invited to God's table particularly impactful and resonant. The raw emotion and hopeful response visible in this setting underscore the power of the song's message to reach those who feel most isolated and unworthy.
Scripturally, the song echoes themes found throughout the Bible. The image of a table and a meal often symbolizes fellowship with God and other believers, as seen in communion (Matthew 26:26-28). The invitation to come as you are is reminiscent of Jesus' words in Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." The radical acceptance of sinners is central to the Gospel message and exemplified in Jesus' interactions, as detailed in Luke 15's parables of the lost, or His statement in Mark 2:17, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." The assurance of forgiveness through the cross aligns with passages like Ephesians 1:7 and Colossians 1:13-14. Revelation 3:20, depicting Jesus knocking at the door, also resonates with the theme of a personal invitation to intimate fellowship. "To The Table" effectively translates these foundational biblical concepts into a modern, accessible, and deeply moving call to come home to God's unconditional love and acceptance.
