I think that the lyrics refer to passages from Ezekiel 3 and Revelations 10:
Rev 10 -
8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.”
9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but ‘in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.’” 10 I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. 11 Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.”
Similar imagery in the ezekiel passage about being given a prophesy in the form of a scroll, which tastes like honey when eaten. I think in this context the words and the book are a metaphor for "the law", as set forth in the biblical old testament. I assume that because of the last verse:
"When I lost all hope to look
someone took that heavy book from my hands
all its weight they set aside
after they had satisfied its demands"
Which would make the most sense to me as saying that the intervention of god satisfied the perfect, but ultimately fatal requirements of the words, which is itself the central concept of the song. It's something that is the answer, it is perfect, but it will kill you.
He knew he lost it, had to find it, when he did he knew it was going to kill him
Knew I lost something/Knew they'd lay me in my grave
He describes the feeling as tasting sweet, wholesome when in his mouth, but turning bitter when he tries to internalize them, as though they're a poison
Honey on my lips/Bitter twist in my side
He even describes the words as being both beautiful and dreadful, belying their nature
They were Beautiful and Dread
So then along comes jesus and the new testament and changes everything up and the words of the book are satisfied in his sacrifice, blah blah, I'm not actually christian but I like this song regardless, it's some pretty neat poetry and it's beautiful to listen to, feels mysterious. If anyone else has any alternative interpretations I'd love to know what they are though.
I think that the lyrics refer to passages from Ezekiel 3 and Revelations 10:
Rev 10 - 8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” 9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but ‘in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.’” 10 I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. 11 Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.”
Similar imagery in the ezekiel passage about being given a prophesy in the form of a scroll, which tastes like honey when eaten. I think in this context the words and the book are a metaphor for "the law", as set forth in the biblical old testament. I assume that because of the last verse:
"When I lost all hope to look someone took that heavy book from my hands all its weight they set aside after they had satisfied its demands"
Which would make the most sense to me as saying that the intervention of god satisfied the perfect, but ultimately fatal requirements of the words, which is itself the central concept of the song. It's something that is the answer, it is perfect, but it will kill you.
He knew he lost it, had to find it, when he did he knew it was going to kill him Knew I lost something/Knew they'd lay me in my grave
He describes the feeling as tasting sweet, wholesome when in his mouth, but turning bitter when he tries to internalize them, as though they're a poison Honey on my lips/Bitter twist in my side
He even describes the words as being both beautiful and dreadful, belying their nature They were Beautiful and Dread
So then along comes jesus and the new testament and changes everything up and the words of the book are satisfied in his sacrifice, blah blah, I'm not actually christian but I like this song regardless, it's some pretty neat poetry and it's beautiful to listen to, feels mysterious. If anyone else has any alternative interpretations I'd love to know what they are though.
You seem to have a pretty intricate understanding of the Bible to not be a Christian. Well said.
You seem to have a pretty intricate understanding of the Bible to not be a Christian. Well said.