Knight started to record solo material due to legal issues that forced her and The Pips to record separately. Her solo debut "Miss Gladys Knight" was released in 1978 followed by "Gladys Knight" on Colombia Records. Knight recorded the title track for the James Bond movie "Licence To Kill." It became a Top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at #6. Knight's third solo album, "Good Woman" was released in 1991 on MCA Records (now Geffen Records). The album quickly climbed the charts to #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album features the lead single, "Men" (#2 R&B). Her fourth album, "Just For You" followed in 1995. The album went Gold. Knight most recent album is her critically acclaimed ninth studio album, "Before Me", released in 2006.
Mercy's Arms
Gladys Knight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have built around my foolish heart
How they crumble and they fall
As I surrender all
To mercy's arms
Bathed in holy rain
Cleansed from sinner's bitter stains
And I'm forever changed
By mercy's arms
Sweet the surrender
Sweet the embrace
Sweet the forgiveness
To one forever undeserving of his grace
Safely encircled
Rested and warmed
Sweet is the taste
Of love that awaits in mercy's arms
In the light, the life, the way
Is the key unlocking every chain
Sin is lost and freedom gained
The price was paid
By mercy's arms
Sweet the surrender
Sweet the embrace
Sweet the forgiveness
To one forever undeserving of his grace
Safely encircled
Rested and warmed
Sweet is the taste
Of love that awaits in mercy's arms
When I reach my journey's end
How I hope that He will call me friend
And reach out for me again
Forever spend
In mercy's arms
The lyrics to the song Mercy's Arms by Gladys Knight describe a person who has built fortress walls around their heart due to past hurt and pain, but those walls crumble as they surrender themselves to mercy's arms. The person is bathed in holy rain and cleansed of sinner's bitter stains, leaving only love behind. The experience changes them forever and they are grateful for the sweet surrender, embrace, and forgiveness that they receive, even though they feel undeserving of it. They feel safely encircled, rested, and warmed by the love that waits for them in mercy's arms. The song also speaks of the key that unlocks every chain, freeing the person from the bondage of sin, and the hope that when they reach the end of their journey, they will be welcomed into mercy's arms forever.
Line by Line Meaning
The mighty fortress walls
The protective walls I built around my heart
I have built around my foolish heart
I built these walls out of foolishness
How they crumble and they fall
These walls eventually crumble and fall
As I surrender all
When I let go and surrender
To mercy's arms
To the love and forgiveness of mercy
Bathed in holy rain
Being washed clean and purified by God's love
Cleansed from sinner's bitter stains
Being forgiven and freed from the guilt of sin
Only love remains
All that remains is a love for God
And I'm forever changed
I am transformed for eternity
Sweet the surrender
The feeling of relief in letting go
Sweet the embrace
The comforting embrace of mercy
Sweet the forgiveness
The overwhelming feeling of being forgiven
To one forever undeserving of his grace
For someone who is unworthy of His love
Safely encircled
Being surrounded by the safety of God's love
Rested and warmed
The feeling of being at peace and comforted
Sweet is the taste
The feeling of joy in experiencing His love
Of love that awaits in mercy's arms
The overwhelming love that waits for me in mercy's embrace
In the light, the life, the way
In Jesus, who is the light, life, and way
Is the key unlocking every chain
He is the key to unlocking our bondage to sin
Sin is lost and freedom gained
Through Him, we are freed from our sins
The price was paid
The sacrifice Jesus made on the cross
By mercy's arms
By God's love and mercy
When I reach my journey's end
At the end of my life
How I hope that He will call me friend
I hope for a close relationship with Him
And reach out for me again
And offer His love and mercy
Forever spend
To spend eternity
In mercy's arms
In the loving embrace of mercy
Writer(s): Julie De Azevedo
Contributed by Lucy P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ginger Williams
on Mr. Love
I'm 84 years old and I've never heard this beautiful message. My daughter introduced it to me and I'm gonna keep listening. I love it