I Was Never There, Lord

[INTRO — clean shimmer guitars; distant tribal kick; misty pads] I was never there Lord When You laid the foundations of the earth I have spoken without knowledge What is a single word that I speak worth [VERSE 1 — tremolo cleans; soft bass swells; intimate vocals] Every time I speak in anger I get this feeling that I'm justified Yet if I take a step back I realize that I was speaking out of pride I was not there to see the earth made I do not have the power to create I wasn't there when its foundations were laid I did not give it form or shape I was not the one who Breathed life into all creation I hold no power of my own Except to cause my own devastation [BREAKDOWN — low drone; distant toms; reverse‑reverb swells] [VERSE 2 — chorus‑style cleans; slow snare pulse; warm bass] You alone hold sway Over the night and over day You control the rain You alone can halt the waves The key to the storehouse of lightning in Your hand Every beast on the earth obeys Your command There is not a single thing a sinner like me can do So I'll brace myself like a man and answer you [PRE-CHORUS 1 — delay guitars; bass slides; airy pads] I haven't walked along the recesses of the deep I have not journeyed to the springs of the sea I do not know my way to the abode of the light I could not tell you the dwelling place of night [CHORUS — Floods-style distortion bloom; tribal+groove drums; layered baritone+tenor harmonies] I scream it isn't fair I thought that You were just How quickly I've forgotten That I came from the dust You alone are God I am merely man Forgive me for obscuring Your perfect plan What do I know What can I teach The Lord who reigns on high That is out of my reach What feeble hands I have What can You gain I can only lift my praise To Your Mighty Name [BREAKDOWN — ambient noise; feedback bed; whispered echoes] [VERSE 3 — clean arpeggios; heartbeat bass; weary vocals] Oh how little wisdom I have What foolish words I speak in rage I cannot control leviathan Nor could I send it to its cage It would only laugh At my foolish, sinful pride Flames shoot from its snout I can only look on terrified What have I ever done That matches any of Your deeds I have begged for mercy You have heard my every plea I wail and kick my legs I shout that life is so unfair I shake my fist at heaven And bring my own despair What lessons could I teach The One who knows all things The King who rules from heaven Needs nothing that I bring With a stroke of Your hand You can wipe me from this place I praise You for Your patience Because You look on me with grace [PRE-CHORUS 2 — organ drones; rising pads; starlight guitars] I have not stood where the whirlwind meets Your throne I have not seen the hosts of heaven bow alone I cannot fathom all the counsel of Your mind Yet still You stoop to lift a broken heart like mine [CHORUS — massive wall of sound; tribal+groove drums; harmonies swelling] I scream it isn't fair I thought that You were just How quickly I've forgotten That I came from the dust You alone are God I am merely man Forgive me for obscuring Your perfect plan What do I know What can I teach The Lord who reigns on high That is out of my reach What feeble hands I have What can You gain I can only lift my praise To Your Mighty Name [BRIDGE — fragile vocals; minimal drums; soft pads] Oh how weak and fragile I am The Lord does not obey my command He does as He pleases His will is good Next I speak in pride I'll shut my mouth like I should [CHORUS — final crescendo; distortion bloom; thunderous drums; full harmonies] I scream it isn't fair I thought that You were just How quickly I've forgotten That I came from the dust You alone are God I am merely man Forgive me for obscuring Your perfect plan What do I know What can I teach The Lord who reigns on high That is out of my reach What feeble hands I have What can You gain I can only lift my praise To Your Mighty Name