So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
Just like an actor,
Unsure of my lines,
I lived my life for other people,
One lie at a time.
Desperate for approval,
Always tryin' to look good,
Never sure of who I was
Or where I stood.
Till You came into my heart,
And exposed me with Your light,
Till You touched me with Your love,
And You healed me with Your life.
I know where I stand,
Strong and secure,
I finally know who I am,
I'm myself and I'm Yours.
Gonna stand on Your promise,
I always stand tall,
Even when I fall,
I know where I stand.
So good to be real now,
To know and be known,
Resting in Your perfect love,
My heart is finally home.
Completely forgiven of
All that I've done,
Now I'm living my life
For an audience of one.
Finally sure of who I am,
And I'm sure of who I'm not,
The insecurity is gone,
Because I live on the Rock.
I know where I stand,
Strong and secure,
I finally know who I am,
I'm myself and I'm Yours.
Gonna stand on Your promise,
I always stand tall,
Even when I fall,
I know where I stand.
I no longer live my life
By what other people say,
But I only live for You,
'cause Your love will never change.
And though people let me down,
You'll never turn away,
No You'll never turn away, that's why
I know where I stand,
Strong and secure,
I finally know who I am,
I'm myself and I'm Yours.
Gonna stand on Your promise,
I always stand tall,
Even when I fall,
I know where I stand.
Unsure of my lines,
I lived my life for other people,
One lie at a time.
Desperate for approval,
Always tryin' to look good,
Never sure of who I was
Or where I stood.
Till You came into my heart,
And exposed me with Your light,
Till You touched me with Your love,
And You healed me with Your life.
I know where I stand,
Strong and secure,
I finally know who I am,
I'm myself and I'm Yours.
Gonna stand on Your promise,
I always stand tall,
Even when I fall,
I know where I stand.
So good to be real now,
To know and be known,
Resting in Your perfect love,
My heart is finally home.
Completely forgiven of
All that I've done,
Now I'm living my life
For an audience of one.
Finally sure of who I am,
And I'm sure of who I'm not,
The insecurity is gone,
Because I live on the Rock.
I know where I stand,
Strong and secure,
I finally know who I am,
I'm myself and I'm Yours.
Gonna stand on Your promise,
I always stand tall,
Even when I fall,
I know where I stand.
I no longer live my life
By what other people say,
But I only live for You,
'cause Your love will never change.
And though people let me down,
You'll never turn away,
No You'll never turn away, that's why
I know where I stand,
Strong and secure,
I finally know who I am,
I'm myself and I'm Yours.
Gonna stand on Your promise,
I always stand tall,
Even when I fall,
I know where I stand.
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
I Know Where I Stand Lyrics as written by Claire D. Cloninger Bruce Carroll
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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