Mercy Came Running
Phillips Craig & Dean Lyrics

Once there was a holy place
There was a sacred place that was symbolic of God's presence on earth.

Evidence of God's embrace
The holy place was tangible proof of God's love and care for his people.

And I can almost see mercy's face
The singer feels like they can almost visualize the face of mercy, perhaps a metaphor for the presence of God's mercy.

Pressed against the veil
The face of mercy is depicted as being up against a veil, which may represent the barrier between God and humanity.

Looking down with longing eyes
Mercy is depicted as gazing down on humans with eyes full of love and yearning.

Mercy must have realized
The song suggests that mercy is a conscious entity that can think and feel emotions, including empathy and understanding.

That once His blood was sacrificed
The song refers to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood was supposedly shed to save humanity from sin and damnation.

Freedom would prevail
The sacrifice of Jesus resulted in the liberation of people from bondage and guilt, allowing them to experience spiritual freedom and salvation.

And as the sky grew dark
The song alludes to the darkness that reportedly covered the land during the crucifixion of Jesus, a symbolic representation of the gravity of the event.

And the earth began to shake
The song depicts the crucifixion as a cataclysmic event that shook the very foundation of the earth.

With justice no longer in the way
The song suggests that the death of Jesus removed the obstacle of divine justice that had previously separated God and humanity.

Mercy came running
The song portrays mercy as an active agent that rushes to help those who are in need of salvation.

Like a prisoner set free
Mercy is depicted as liberating people from spiritual bondage, just like a prisoner would be freed from physical imprisonment.

Past all my failures to the point of my need
Mercy is able to overlook the singer's shortcomings and extends grace to them when they need it the most.

When the sin that I carried
The song acknowledges that humans are inherently sinful and prone to doing wrong things.

Was all I could see
The artist was so consumed by their sin that it was all they could focus on, and they couldn't see a way out of their predicament.

And when I could not reach mercy
The song acknowledges that sometimes people feel helpless and unable to access mercy or salvation on their own.

Mercy came running to me
Despite the singer's sense of isolation and despair, the song asserts that mercy is always available to those who seek it and is willing to make the first move.

Once there was a broken heart
The song alludes to the universal experience of heartbreak, which can be caused by a range of different factors, including personal loss and failure.

Way too human from the start
The song suggests that human beings are inherently fragile and prone to emotional pain and hardship.

And all the years left it torn apart
The artist's heart has been battered and broken over time by various experiences of loss and disappointment.

Hopeless and afraid
The song acknowledges the emotional toll of heartbreak, which can leave people feeling hopeless and frightened.

Walls I never meant to build
The song suggests that sometimes people build emotional barriers and defenses around their heart as a way of protecting themselves from further pain and disappointment.

Left this prisoner unfulfilled
The artist is depicted as feeling trapped and unfulfilled by the walls they have built around their heart.

Freedom called but even still
Despite the possibility of freedom and liberation, the singer is still struggling to overcome their own emotional barriers.

It seemed so far away
The singer feels discouraged and overwhelmed by the distance that still separates them from true emotional freedom and happiness.

I was bound by the chains
The song suggests that emotional barriers can become like chains that keep people tied down and unable to experience true freedom and joy.

From the wages of my sin
The artist acknowledges that they are responsible for some of their own emotional pain and suffering, which may be the result of past mistakes and failures.

Just when I felt like giving in
The artist is on the brink of surrendering to despair and hopelessness when something unexpected happens.

Sometimes I still feel so far
The song acknowledges that emotional healing and growth can be a slow and difficult journey that involves setbacks and challenges.

So far from where I really should be
The singer feels like they are still far from where they want to be emotionally, spiritually, or psychologically.

He gently calls to my heart
The song suggests that God, or a spiritual force, is reaching out to the artist in a gentle and compassionate manner.

Just to remind me
The song suggests that sometimes people need reminders of the love, grace, and mercy that is available to them in order to find the strength to keep going.