It was during his first year of college, that Matthew began playing guitar and writing songs. By Matthew's senior year, he was playing at every venue imaginable, from Fraternity houses to churches, and youth groups.
He signed an exclusive songwriting deal only a week after graduating and making the move to Nashville. His songs have been recorded by various artists including Rachel Lampa's most recent single, "Savior Song," which was Matthew's first top-5 song as a writer. Some other highlights were having songs placed on the platinum selling WoW 2002 project and also having his song, "Heart of Every Man recorded for the World Youth Day 2000 official soundtrack.
Matthew continued pursuing his dream of singing his own songs. Matthew had the opportunity to travel to universities across the country, and quickly began building up a steady following. With the help of Word Music and Extreme Writers Group, Matthew recorded an independent CD called, "Sellout," which caught the attention of Universal South Records.
Since signing with Universal South, He has released several albums, starting with "Happy" in 2003, "History" in 2005, and "Something to Say" in 2007; along with the re-release of Sellout in 2006. The Forgiveness Songfacts reports that West's fifth album, "Into the Light," is scheduled to be released on September 25, 2012.
Forgiveness
Matthew West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the last thing on your mind today
It always goes to those who don't deserve
It's the opposite of how you feel
When they pain they caused is just too real
Takes everything you have to say the word
Forgiveness, forgiveness
It flies in the face of all your pride
It moves away the mad inside
It's always anger's own worst enemy
Even when the jury and the judge
Say you've got a right to hold a grudge
It's the whisper in your ear saying set it free
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness
It'll clear the bitterness away
It can even set a prisoner free
There is no end to what its power can do
So let it go and be amazed by what you see through eyes of grace
The prisoner that it really frees is you
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness
I want finally set it free
Show me how to see what your mercy sees
Help me now to give what You gave to me
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Forgiveness, forgiveness
In Matthew West's song Forgiveness, the lyrics explore the concept of forgiving those who do not deserve it. The song acknowledges that it is difficult, as forgiveness is often the last thing on our minds when we are hurt, angry or upset. However, the song emphasizes that forgiveness is important, as it can clear away bitterness and even set prisoners (whether literal or metaphorical) free. The lyrics describe forgiveness as going against our pride and being the opposite of how we feel when we have been wronged, but it is powerful and can do incredible things.
The song also touches on how forgiveness can be a challenge even when the jury and judge agree that we have a right to hold a grudge. Despite this, the lyrics suggest that forgiveness is the answer and that it has the ability to move away anger and help us to love and reach the unlovable and unreachable. The song acknowledges that forgiveness is not impossible, but it does require us to let go of our hurt, anger and bitterness in order to be free.
One interesting fact about the song Forgiveness is that the inspiration for the song came from a story shared by a woman who attended one of Matthew West's concerts. The woman told the story of her daughter who was killed by a drunk driver, and how she struggled to forgive the person responsible. This story inspired West to write the song, and he later invited the woman and her family to his studio to record the chorus of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the hardest thing to give away
Forgiveness is difficult to give to those who have wronged you.
And the last thing on your mind today
At times, forgiving those who have wronged you is the last thing you feel like doing.
It always goes to those who don't deserve
Forgiveness is often given to people who do not necessarily deserve it.
It's the opposite of how you feel
Forgiveness is the opposite of the negative feelings you may have towards the person who has wronged you.
When they pain they caused is just too real
Forgiving someone who has caused you real pain can be extremely challenging.
Takes everything you have to say the word
Forgiving someone can take every ounce of mental strength you have, but acknowledging it is important.
It flies in the face of all your pride
Forgiving someone goes against your pride and the natural instinct to hold a grudge.
It moves away the mad inside
Forgiving someone can help remove the anger and resentment you may have been feeling inside.
It's always anger's own worst enemy
Forgiveness has the power to combat the negative effects of anger, resentment, and other negative emotions.
Even when the jury and the judge
Even if a person is justified in feeling angry and resentful towards the person who has wronged them, forgiving them can still be worthwhile.
Say you've got a right to hold a grudge
Sometimes other people or institutions may tell you that you are justified in holding onto your anger, but forgiveness is still a viable option.
It's the whisper in your ear saying set it free
Forgiveness requires an internal struggle, as it may be the only voice telling you to let go of your anger.
It'll clear the bitterness away
Forgiving someone can help remove any bitterness that you may be holding onto.
It can even set a prisoner free
Forgiving someone can help set the person who has wronged you free from the guilt and remorse associated with their actions.
There is no end to what its power can do
The power of forgiveness is an infinite source that can not only free others but also yourself.
So let it go and be amazed by what you see through eyes of grace
The act of forgiving someone can help give you a renewed perspective, allowing you to see yourself and others with a greater sense of compassion.
The prisoner that it really frees is you
Forgiving someone ultimately frees yourself from the burden of holding onto negative emotions, allowing you to live a more fulfilled life.
Show me how to love the unlovable
Asking for help to love people who are difficult to love is a sign of being open to forgiveness and love regardless of past actions.
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Asking for help to reach those who feel out of reach is a sign of being open to forgiveness and understanding.
Help me now to do the impossible
Asking for divine intervention to help with forgiveness is a sign of humility and surrendering control.
I want finally set it free
The singer wants to be finally free of anger or bitterness by forgiving those who have wronged him.
Show me how to see what your mercy sees
Asking for help to see others as God sees them allows for forgiveness and understanding.
Help me now to give what You gave to me
Asking for the ability to give forgiveness as God has offered forgiveness to us esteems forgiveness as an act of grace and love.
Forgiveness, forgiveness
The repetition of forgiveness speaks to the importance of the concept in the song.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MATTHEW WEST, MATTHEW JOSEPH WEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@msleydee
This song really changed my heart :) I will forgive because I am forgiven. I am able to look at others using the eyes of grace. :)
@aprylbug
Im still working on forgiving my dad & stepmom for what they did to me the most.. Its really hard but with Gods help i know i can Forgive them like Matthew said....
@juttaruiz5788
Forgive them! For Jesus has forgiven us✝️🙏
@rnb2112
“For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But if you don’t forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will not forgive your wrongdoing.” ~ Matthew 6:14-15
@jamesdenton94
Praying helps!!!! God forgave you for your faults and wrongs🙏🥰
@charlesstokes-mw6fo
Get over it
@charlesstokes-mw6fo
Are you perfect have you not sin yourself get over it move on
@maricostafernandez
This song’s lyrics are powerful. I love your voice, too. ❤️🙏
@irenechavez3455
It's not an option, it's, "IT'S A COMMAND" we all know the "LORD'S PRAYER"🙏❤⚓🥰
@RachelWeeping
Yeah, I can quit religion and what I want.