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Isaiah 45:23 Lyrics

If my prayer be not humble, make it so
In these last hours, if the Spirit waits in check, help me let it go
And should my suffering double, let me never love You less
Let every knee be bent, and every tongue confess

And I won't get better but someday I'll be free
'Cause I am not this body that imprisons me

I read the magazines somebody brought
Hold them to my failing eyes until my hands get hot
And when the nurse comes in to change my sheets and clothes
The pain begins to travel, dancing as it goes

And I won't get better but someday I'll be free
'Cause I am not this body that imprisons me

If my prayer goes unanswered that's alright
If my path fills with darkness and there is no sign of light
Let me praise You for the good times, let me hold Your banner high
Until the hills are flattened and the rivers all run dry

And I won't get better but someday I'll be free
'Cause I am not this body that imprisons me
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Cover art for Isaiah 45:23 lyrics by Mountain Goats, The

this is pretty much the only song on the new album that doesn't make me want to shoot myself

I don't know... this one scares me the most. On the surface it's about a man dying of a terminal disease, content in his faith and the knowledge that he's going to 'a better place.' To me, it sounds like a man desperately lying to himself about a faith he doesn't truly believe, if only to avoid screaming in horror as death most assuredly approaches. The very first line betrays his faithful contentment with a desperate plea.

or maybe I'm projecting my own bitterness towards the faith of which this man is a true believer.

Cover art for Isaiah 45:23 lyrics by Mountain Goats, The

I think this is a song about the sacrifices you have to make to have complete faith, the things you have to let slide to maintain your belief, but throughout the album he also makes it clear that these things have their upside, like the support and reassurance you receive in return (1 John 4:16).

Cover art for Isaiah 45:23 lyrics by Mountain Goats, The

in my opinion this song is about a terminal illness, still holding onto his faith that there will be more for him after death. A more personal interpretation is a man accepting the fact he is going to die, there is nothing left for him to do but remember the good journey he had, celebrate the good times and celebrate the fact soon he will be free of his pain.

@MNix I agree...

Cover art for Isaiah 45:23 lyrics by Mountain Goats, The

A raw acoustic version of this would be my new favorite song.

On the album "The World In Flux" he does an acoustic version of this song. Really good.

Cover art for Isaiah 45:23 lyrics by Mountain Goats, The

"I have sworn by Myself, The word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness And will not turn back, That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance."

Isaiah 45:23 is told from the perspective of someone living in a nursing home who is thankful for his/her life and would rather be dead and in heaven because being alive is becoming increasingly painful.

Isaiah 45:23 is told from the perspective of someone living in a nursing home who is thankful for his/her life and would rather be dead and in heaven because being alive is becoming increasingly painful.

Cover art for Isaiah 45:23 lyrics by Mountain Goats, The

Interesting, reagank - different bible version has left out the word allegiance. Changes the whole meaning of the verse. The entire bible is a crock of left out words. Hence the reason it is such crap. Boo the bible.

King James Version - By myself have I sworn, the word is gone forth from my mouth (in) righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

I don't think the different translation changes the meaning. They seem very similar to me.

 
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