We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.
/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.
    Purchasable with gift card

      name your price

     

about

In describing the "Day of the Lord", Joel describes the army that God sends by using the make-your-skin-crawl imagery of a locust infestation (see chapter 1). The army "devours" and "swarms" and "leaps" and "climbs" and creeps through windows.

But even in describing this inescapable day of judgement, God through Joel gives us an escape: He says "rend your hearts." To "rend" means to tear in two. Instead of tearing your clothes (a common way to show repentance during that time), the prophet is telling them to tear their hearts. To be completely broken and contrite for their sin.

Ultimately, this "rending" is fulfilled in Christ. His body was broken for sin, and we can therefore find mercy and escape judgement.

But the question remains for me... do I truly rend my heart when I confess my sin? Or, do I make a show, figuratively "tearing my clothes" instead of truly repenting?

lyrics

*From Joel 2:1-14*

Oh there’s an army on the mountaintop
Swarms the city and it can’t be stopped
Scales the walls and storms the streets
Slides through your windows like a thief

Oh but this is the day that the Lord has sent
So rend your hearts, return, repent

Yes tear your hearts and not your clothes
Oh He may relent, yeah who knows
Don’t make a show when you go confess
And maybe he’ll turn from wrath to bless

Oh but this is the day that the Lord has sent
So rend your hearts, return, repent

Oh but this is the day that the Lord has sent
So rend your hearts, return, repent

credits

from Scripture to Music Project DEMOS [B​-​Sides], released November 11, 2011
words and music by Caroline Cobb Smith

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Caroline Cobb Dallas, Texas

Before her thirtieth birthday, singer-songwriter Caroline Cobb set a goal to write a song for every book of the Bible in one year. That year set in motion a passion: to tell the stories of scripture through music, helping you rehearse and remember the good news of God's Story as you listen. ... more

contact / help

Contact Caroline Cobb

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Caroline Cobb, you may also like: