“Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” by Hillsong UNITED isn’t just a song; it’s a modern anthem of Christian worship that has resonated deeply within congregations and on Christian radio worldwide. For months after its release and even years later, it consistently topped charts like Billboard’s Christian songs, proving its remarkable and enduring appeal. This song’s poetic nature and rich use of metaphor invite listeners into a profound reflection on faith and trust in God. This review explores the original version of “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” lyrics, keeping in mind its intended poetic expression and metaphorical depth.
Deciphering the Message: Faith and Metaphor in “Oceans”
At its heart, “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” draws inspiration from the biblical narrative of Jesus walking on water, found in Matthew 14:22-31. The lyrics vividly recount Peter’s courageous yet faltering step onto the water at Jesus’s command. This pivotal moment of faith, doubt, and divine rescue forms the central metaphor of the song. The song beautifully translates this historical event into a personal spiritual journey, using the imagery of oceans and waves to represent the challenges and uncertainties of life and faith.
Beyond the central narrative, the song weaves in sub-themes that enrich its message. It speaks to the necessity of unwavering trust in God, the call to follow divine guidance even into the unknown, and the process of spiritual growth through trials. These themes resonate with the core tenets of Christian faith, encouraging listeners to deepen their relationship with God.
However, a crucial point of consideration arises from the song’s metaphorical approach. While powerful, the lyrical interpretation of a historical event could potentially lead to misunderstanding, especially for those unfamiliar with the original biblical context. Presenting the story of Peter walking on water as purely metaphorical risks obscuring its historical reality. It’s vital to remember and communicate that the song’s powerful imagery is rooted in a genuine historical event to fully appreciate its depth and avoid misinterpretations. As long as the historical context is acknowledged and understood, this concern is significantly mitigated.
Score: 9/10
Scriptural Harmony: Aligning “Oceans” Lyrics with Biblical Truth
The lyrical integrity of “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” shines brightly when examined against the backdrop of Scripture. Every line resonates with biblical themes and often directly references or alludes to specific verses, solidifying its theological foundation.
[Verse 1]
You call me out upon the waters / The great unknown where feet may fail
These opening lines are a clear and potent echo of Matthew 14:28-29. Jesus’s call to Peter to walk on water is an extraordinary act of faith. The “great unknown” poignantly captures the fear and uncertainty Peter must have felt, mirroring the challenges we face when God calls us beyond our comfort zones. This verse encourages a childlike faith, urging believers to step out in trust, even when faced with the possibility of failure, much like Peter initially did. The “You” in this verse, identified later as “Jesus, my God,” establishes the divine focus of the song.
And there I find You in the mystery
This line speaks to the profound and often enigmatic nature of God. It echoes the sentiment found in Deuteronomy 29:29, which speaks of the hidden things belonging to God. Finding God in “mystery” suggests that deeper understanding and intimacy with the divine are often discovered when we venture beyond the known and embrace the aspects of God that are beyond full human comprehension. Numerous scriptures support this idea of God’s hidden wisdom and the rewarding pursuit of seeking Him, including Proverbs 25:2, Matthew 13:11, and Colossians 2:2-3.
In oceans deep my faith will stand
While the original biblical event took place on the Sea of Galilee, the shift to “oceans deep” amplifies the metaphor. Oceans, vast and deep, symbolize life’s overwhelming challenges. This line declares a powerful affirmation of faith: that even amidst life’s deepest trials, faith in God provides a firm foundation. It’s a metaphorical extension of Peter’s initial steps of faith on the water, encouraging believers to stand firm in their faith, regardless of the surrounding storms. This resonates with numerous biblical calls to stand firm in faith, such as 1 Corinthians 16:13 and Ephesians 6:11.
[Chorus]
And I will call upon Your name / And keep my eyes above the waves / When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace
This chorus encapsulates the essence of reliance on God in times of trouble. It directly mirrors Peter’s cry for help in Matthew 14:30, “Lord, save me!” Calling upon God’s name is a biblical theme that signifies trust and dependence, as seen in Psalm 18:3 and Joel 2:32. “Waves” metaphorically represent the trials and tribulations of life, and “keeping eyes above the waves” signifies focusing on God rather than succumbing to fear and overwhelming circumstances. The promise of resting in God’s embrace amidst rising “oceans” provides immense comfort and assurance, reinforcing the idea of God as a refuge in times of storm.
For I am Yours and You are mine
This powerful declaration speaks to the intimate and personal relationship believers have with God. It’s a reciprocal statement of belonging and commitment. This concept of divine-human relationship is central to Christian theology, highlighted in scriptures like Romans 8:15, which speaks of being adopted as children of God, and John 15:4, emphasizing abiding in Christ.
[Verse 2]
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
This verse beautifully articulates the boundless nature of God’s grace, extending even into the “deepest waters” – the most challenging and overwhelming aspects of life. Psalm 107:23-32 poetically illustrates God’s grace amidst literal sea storms, serving as a powerful biblical parallel to this line. It emphasizes that God’s grace is not limited by circumstances but is abundantly available even in the most difficult situations.
Your sovereign hand will be my guide
This line encompasses two critical theological concepts: God’s sovereignty and His guidance. God’s sovereignty, His ultimate authority and control over all things (Psalm 29:10, Isaiah 45:9-10), is paired with His promise to guide His followers (Psalm 32:8, Proverbs 3:5-6). This combination offers assurance and direction, affirming that God, in His power, leads and directs the paths of those who trust in Him.
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me / You’ve never failed and You won’t start now
This line directly addresses human vulnerability (“where feet may fail”) and the presence of fear, acknowledging the realities of the human experience. Yet, it immediately contrasts these with God’s unwavering faithfulness. It’s a declaration of trust in God’s consistent character. Scriptures like Deuteronomy 31:6 and Hebrews 13:5 reinforce the promise of God’s unfailing presence and support, eliminating the basis for fear when faith is placed in Him. It also alludes to God’s perfect timing and faithfulness to His promises (2 Peter 3:9).
[Bridge]
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders / Let me walk upon the waters / Wherever you would call me
The bridge focuses on the Holy Spirit’s role in guiding believers to a place of limitless trust in God. “Trust without borders” signifies a faith that is unrestrained and fully surrendered to God’s leading. The plea to “walk upon the waters” is a metaphorical desire to experience the same kind of faith and dependence on God that Peter demonstrated. It’s a willingness to follow God’s call, regardless of where it leads, empowered by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13, John 14:26).
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander / And my faith will be made stronger / In the presence of my Saviour
This section of the bridge speaks to spiritual growth through trials. “Deeper than my feet could ever wander” suggests a desire to go beyond comfortable limits in faith. It acknowledges that trials and tribulations, though challenging, ultimately strengthen faith (Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4). The ultimate aim is to grow stronger in faith and deeper in relationship with “my Saviour,” Jesus.
Note on Repetition: The bridge’s repetition, while noted by some as potentially resembling Transcendental Meditation practices, does not align with the actual practice. Transcendental Meditation involves extended periods of mantra repetition (15-20 minutes, twice daily) to induce a meditative state. The six repetitions in the song’s bridge do not reach this duration or intent and are clearly focused on deepening the lyrical message within a worship context, rather than transcending its meaning.
Oh, Jesus, you’re my God!
This powerful exclamation is the climax of the song, unequivocally declaring Jesus’s divinity. It’s a profound statement of faith, aligning with core Christian doctrines that affirm Jesus as God (John 1:1, John 20:28, Colossians 2:9). This declaration reinforces the song’s theological clarity and its central focus on the worship of Jesus Christ as God.
Score: 10/10
Interpretation by Outsiders: Accessibility and Clarity of Message
Assessing how someone outside the Christian faith might interpret “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” reveals a nuanced picture. On one hand, the song contains subtle yet discernible cues pointing towards a relationship with Jesus and trust in God. Phrases like “call upon Your name” and the climactic “Oh, Jesus, you’re my God!” clearly indicate a divine focus. However, without prior understanding of Christian worship language and biblical metaphors, a casual listener might perceive the song as being about a deeply emotional but generically spiritual experience, or even misinterpret it as a romantic song about a human relationship, albeit less likely in the original version.
Note on Radio Edit: The “boyfriend” interpretation becomes more plausible with radio edits that often omit the explicit declaration “Oh, Jesus, you’re my God!” This omission weakens the clarity of the song’s divine focus for uninitiated listeners. However, as this review focuses on the original version, this radio edit concern does not detract from the score for the original lyrics.
Score: 8/10
Glorifying the Divine: The Ultimate Aim of “Oceans”
Ultimately, “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” unequivocally glorifies God. The lyrics are saturated with praise, adoration, and declarations of dependence on Jesus Christ. The song’s focus remains consistently on God’s sovereignty, grace, faithfulness, and the believer’s relationship with Him. The entire lyrical journey points towards drawing closer to God and exalting His name.
Score: 10/10
Concluding Reflections
“Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” has sustained its impact in Christian worship for years because of its potent lyrics, evocative melody, and profound message. Hillsong UNITED has crafted a song that is both artistically beautiful and theologically sound. It effectively uses poetic language and metaphor to explore themes of faith, trust, and dependence on God, grounded in biblical truth. While the metaphorical nature requires understanding the historical context to prevent misinterpretation, the song’s scriptural fidelity, clear message, and God-glorifying focus make it a powerful and enduring piece of contemporary Christian music.
However, it is advisable to favor the original version to ensure the unambiguous declaration of Jesus as God remains central to the song’s message.
Final Score: 9.5/10
Artist Information
Track: Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) (Listen to the Song)
Artist: Hillsong UNITED
Album: Zion
Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), Pop
Release Year: 2013
Duration: 8:55
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Copyright © 2013 Hillsong Music Publishing (APRA) (adm. in the US and Canada at CapitolCMGPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Updates:
02/08/2023 – Consistency update: “United” capitalization corrected.
05/07/2021 – Theology encouragement: Expanded text to encourage Hillsong theology study.
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