Seems to me that the speaker has been let down by someone ("busted down the pretext"-perhaps uncovered some disgusting truth about someone close to him). Then he is torn between his desire for revenge on one hand and his love and trust of the person on the other hand.
"Sin still plays and preaches but to have an empty court"-despite the things he is hearing he wishes to deny them and stop listening to them.
"And the signs are passing grip the wheel can't read it"-the speaker is left in a state of confusion and moving so quickly that he is unable to comprehend what is happening to him.
"Sacrifice receiving the smell that's on my hands hands yeah"-rather than being rewarded for his continued love and trust of the person, he is instead looked down upon (perhaps his "love and trust" is perceived by some as dependence upon the person).
"And I listen for the voice inside my head
Nothing I'll do this one myself"-speaker calls out for the voice of God to guide him and, hearing nothing, the speaker chooses to continue on his own way, knowing of no alternative.
"Lay her down as priest does, should the lord be a counting
Will be in my honor make it pain painfully clear uh huh"-the speaker wonders why God will not offer justice. The speaker has done what he feels is the right thing by not seeking revenge but seems to be receiving only punishment. The speaker feels that it has been made painfully clear that God is not on his/her side.
"Promises are whispered in the age of darkness
Want to be enlightened like I want to be told the end end yeah"-The speaker refers to the promises made by God and realizes that God will reveal answers on His own schedule. Also, the speaker realizes that if he had all the answers there would be no reason to go on with life.
"Hey na na na na hey that's something (x3)
Wanna back back it away yeah yeah"-The speaker begins to feel some peace about the situation when he realizes that he has done the right thing by not seeking revenge, that all should be left to God and the speaker should let it be and move on.
"And I listen yeah for the voice inside my head
Nothing I'll do this one myself yeah
And the barrel waits trigger shakes aimed right at my head
Won't you help me help me from myself"-Even though at peace with the situation, the speaker has not received any clear guidance and therefore continues to fight an inner battle against himself.
Song closes with state of "love and trust" repeated to emphasize that the speaker's relationship with God must simply be left up to love and trust; the speaker must do the best he can to do what is right even though situations are not always clear.
I am a big PJ fan, but I don't know a lot about Eddie Vedder's personal beliefs. I do know enough, however, to realize that he likely didn't write the song intending for it to portray this, we can never really know for sure. But this is simply my interpretation.
Seems to me that the speaker has been let down by someone ("busted down the pretext"-perhaps uncovered some disgusting truth about someone close to him). Then he is torn between his desire for revenge on one hand and his love and trust of the person on the other hand.
"Sin still plays and preaches but to have an empty court"-despite the things he is hearing he wishes to deny them and stop listening to them.
"And the signs are passing grip the wheel can't read it"-the speaker is left in a state of confusion and moving so quickly that he is unable to comprehend what is happening to him.
"Sacrifice receiving the smell that's on my hands hands yeah"-rather than being rewarded for his continued love and trust of the person, he is instead looked down upon (perhaps his "love and trust" is perceived by some as dependence upon the person).
"And I listen for the voice inside my head Nothing I'll do this one myself"-speaker calls out for the voice of God to guide him and, hearing nothing, the speaker chooses to continue on his own way, knowing of no alternative.
"Lay her down as priest does, should the lord be a counting Will be in my honor make it pain painfully clear uh huh"-the speaker wonders why God will not offer justice. The speaker has done what he feels is the right thing by not seeking revenge but seems to be receiving only punishment. The speaker feels that it has been made painfully clear that God is not on his/her side.
"Promises are whispered in the age of darkness Want to be enlightened like I want to be told the end end yeah"-The speaker refers to the promises made by God and realizes that God will reveal answers on His own schedule. Also, the speaker realizes that if he had all the answers there would be no reason to go on with life.
"Hey na na na na hey that's something (x3) Wanna back back it away yeah yeah"-The speaker begins to feel some peace about the situation when he realizes that he has done the right thing by not seeking revenge, that all should be left to God and the speaker should let it be and move on.
"And I listen yeah for the voice inside my head Nothing I'll do this one myself yeah And the barrel waits trigger shakes aimed right at my head Won't you help me help me from myself"-Even though at peace with the situation, the speaker has not received any clear guidance and therefore continues to fight an inner battle against himself.
Song closes with state of "love and trust" repeated to emphasize that the speaker's relationship with God must simply be left up to love and trust; the speaker must do the best he can to do what is right even though situations are not always clear.
I am a big PJ fan, but I don't know a lot about Eddie Vedder's personal beliefs. I do know enough, however, to realize that he likely didn't write the song intending for it to portray this, we can never really know for sure. But this is simply my interpretation.