I Repent
Darwin Hobbs Lyrics


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I repent of my pursuit of America's dream
I repent of living like i deserve anything
my house, my fence, my kids, and my wife
in our suburb where we're safe and white
I am wrong and of these things i repent

I repent of parading my liberty
I repent of paying forvwhat i get for free
the way i believe that I am living right
by trading sins for others that are easier to hide
I am wrong and of these things I repent

I repent judging by a law that even I can't keep
wearin righteousness like a disguise to see through
the planks in my own eyes

I repent of trading truth for false unity
I repent of confusing peace and idolatry
of caring more of what they think than what I know of
what they need




and domesticating You until You look just like me
i am wrong and of these things I repent

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Darwin Hobbs's song "I Repent" express a powerful remorse and regret for the ways in which the singer has participated in and perpetuated cultural sins and injustices. The first stanza begins with a clear apology for the pursuit of "America's dream," which implies a certain level of entitlement and individualism. The singer repents of living like they deserve anything and acknowledges the privilege that their house, fence, and family symbolize. The mention of their suburb being safe and white calls attention to the systems of racial and economic segregation that exist in our society.


The second stanza continues the theme of repentance for the ways in which the singer has taken advantage of their liberties and privileges. They recognize the irony in paying for things that should be given freely, such as grace and forgiveness. The singer has also created a false sense of righteousness by swapping out easy-to-hide sins for bigger, more overt ones. The spiritual hypocrisy is palpable in this confession.


The final stanza encompasses several different areas of repentance. The singer acknowledges that they have judged others by a law that they themselves can't keep, revealing a lack of empathy and understanding. They also recognize the futility in trying to hide behind a veil of righteousness when there are obvious flaws in their own character. The third and final line mentions the domestication of God - a reference to the way in which individuals and institutions often make God in their own image, rather than reflecting the divine nature back to the world.


Overall, "I Repent" is a poignant reminder of the ways in which we are all complicit in various forms of sin and injustice. The song challenges listeners to take responsibility for our own participation in these systems and to seek forgiveness and reconciliation.


Line by Line Meaning

I repent of my pursuit of America's dream
I regret chasing the materialistic American dream instead of true happiness and inner peace.


I repent of living like i deserve anything
I regret leading a privileged life, pretending like it is my entitlement to have everything I want.


my house, my fence, my kids, and my wife
I am referring to the things that I thought would bring me joy, but they only led to superficial happiness.


in our suburb where we're safe and white
I regret living in a bubble, isolated from the world's reality, making me unaware of other people's struggles and differences.


I am wrong and of these things i repent
I acknowledge and apologize for my mistakes, and I am seeking forgiveness and a chance to make amends.


I repent of parading my liberty
I regret flaunting my privileges and freedoms instead of using them for good and just causes.


I repent of paying for what I get for free
I regret valuing material possessions more than life's intangible gifts, like love and friendship.


the way i believe that I am living right
I regret thinking that my way of life is superior to others, judging them instead of embracing differences.


by trading sins for others that are easier to hide
I regret shifting my focus from my shortcomings to other people's mistakes, which are less visible or noticeable.


I repent judging by a law that even I can't keep
I regret imposing my moral standards on others, which I myself fail to abide by.


wearin righteousness like a disguise to see through the planks in my own eyes
I regret acting like a pious person, but in reality, I am not practicing what I am preaching


I repent of trading truth for false unity
I regret sacrificing my beliefs to maintain a fake impression of harmony and agreement with others.


I repent of confusing peace and idolatry
I regret mistaking my desire for tranquility with worshiping material possessions or other superficial things.


of caring more of what they think than what I know of what they need
I regret putting more weight on other people's opinions than on what I know about their true needs and struggles.


and domesticating You until You look just like me
I regret shaping my perception of God and religion to suit my needs and worldview, instead of embracing spirituality with open-mindedness.


i am wrong and of these things I repent
I reiterate my guilt and regret for my wrongdoings, and seek forgiveness and atonement.




Contributed by Bella M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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zhanae


on Heal the Land

(Chorus)

(Oh!
If my people
Who are called
By my name would
Humbly pray
Seek my face and change
their ways
I'll heal the land)

Oh!

Let's talk about the problems
Please tell me how we solve them
There has to be a brighter day.

Ohhhh!

On your mark, get set, let's go now
Lights, Camera, Action showed now
Seems like this is what we've become
What do we do, Ohhhhh

(Chorus)

(Oh!
If my people
Who are called
By my name would
Humbly pray
Seek my face and change
their ways
I'll heal the land
Oh!)

We've got to find our way back
To the idea that we first had
Somehow we've gone and lost our way

Ohhhh

Wake up and smell the brew now
Make this our finest hour
All faces turn into the ground
This is the answer!

(Chorus)

(Oh!
If my people
Who are called
By my name would
Humbly pray
Seek my face and change
their ways
I'll heal the land)

Why? Oh Why?
is the question, tell me.
Who will stand?
Wanna know how did we end up here?
Or when will it end?
Lord, tell me where do we go from hereee?

(Chorus)

(Oh!
If my people
Who are called
By my name would
Humbly pray
Seek my face and change
their ways
I'll heal the land)

Oh OH Oh OH Oh OHhhh (8x)

HEAL THE LAND!
Pray, seek my face!

(Chorus)

(Oh!
If my people
Who are called
By my name would
Humbly pray
Seek my face and change
their ways
I'll heal the land)

Paula Carr


on My Promise To You

Why don't they have lyrics to this song