Show Lyrics

shai linne - High Priest
(from the album Storiez)
© copyright 2008

Verse 1:
There’s commotion in my brain, strange is the notion/
Words cannot explain my range of emotion/
I’m speechless, my flaws exposed and my weakness/
Each breath draws me closer to a deep test/
It’s month number seven, it’s been ten days/
I’ve been awake all night reflecting on my ways/
A threat to my peace in this greatest of moments/
Because I’m the High Priest and it’s the Day of Atonement/
The LORD is so holy and perfect, I’m nervous/
I’m floored that He chose me to worship through service/
Don’t ask me why the God who crafted the sky/
Drafted this weak guy from the clan of Levi/
Preceding generation taught me to read the regulations/
Deep meditation on decreed revelation/
Extreme trepidation breeds hesitation/
Yet I must lead and be the representation/
My occupation- to intercede for the nation/
But indeed my own sins need expiation/
The wrath of Jehovah’s grim, sin is no joke to Him/
The hope is slim for unholy men coming close to Him/
He’s spoken in His Word the proper way of approach to Him/
Nadab and Abihu got it wrong and He roasted them/
These things I weigh as I sigh/
This could either be the greatest day of my life or the day that I die!

Hook:
So you say that you wanna know the LORD/
Do you really wanna stand before the LORD/
Do you know what it takes to meet the LORD/
God is an all-consuming fire/
So you say that you wanna know the LORD/
Do you really wanna stand before the LORD/
Do you know what it takes to meet the LORD/
Be careful what you desire

Verse 2:
For now, no time to focus on my sinning/
I bathe in the laver though it seems extreme/
I put on the holy coat made of white linen/
Craving His favor- I’m ceremonially clean/
I check to inspect- no tangible faltering/
Next I must collect the animals for the offering/
A spotless ram and a bull- the components/
God gives to make atonement for my own sins/
This part of the ritual makes me real cautious/
Because the very sight of blood makes me feel nauseous/
Still I proceed by snatching him close, slashing his throat/
When his blood splashed on my coat/
Reacting, I choke- gasping that’s when I’m grasping/
God’s reaction that sin provokes/
I take a moment to reflect on the blood spilled in this/
Staring at the goat to be sent into the wilderness/
I’ll confess Israel’s sins with my hands on his head/
Symbolizing guilt transferred instead/
To a substitute the living God provided and stamped/
Guilty of our sin, driven outside the camp/
This beautiful picture of hope and grace motivates/
And I don’t want my fear to make this dope occasion go to waste/
Change my outer garments, slow my pace- yo I brace/
Myself to stand before Jehovah’s face in the Holy Place.

Hook:

Verse 3:
The time has come, the great moment has arrived/
About to enter in- what a lonely enterprise/
Look at the other priests, they speak only with their eyes/
Rope tied around my ankle just in case I don’t survive/
I enter through the first curtain to a dark room/
I’m standing in the Holy Place, my thoughts consumed/
I’m caught off guard, I’m unraveling at this stage/
My heartbeat so hard it’s rattling my ribcage/
Feeling like I’m disintegrating and I can’t stand/
Comforted by the light emanating from the lampstand/
This helps my vision- I can see the showbread/
I think of God’s provision, that helps me go ahead/
I need courage to worship! Man, this is intense/
I take burning coals off the altar for the incense/
The sweet aroma fills the room/
The smoke protects my eyes- one sight of Jehovah seals my doom/
It’s no mere coincidence I’m here surrendering/
With fear and trembling I’m nearly entering/
I feel like running scared, hoping I’m not unprepared/
Stunned with fear- no one comes in here but once a year/
Nevertheless I’m at the point of no return/
Besides, I don’t want my anointing to be spurned/
After counting to three, next time I inhale/
I’m in the Holy of Holies beyond the veil/
The first thing I realize is I’m thrilled that I’ve/
Entered into God’s presence and yet I’m still alive/
I’m awestruck by the weight of His terrible beauty/
It’s almost unbearable but I must fulfill my duty/
Approach the ark, the first part of my work’s complete/
When I sprinkle blood seven times on the mercy seat/
Quickly I exit, impressed with the Hesed/
That rescues the wretched and left us accepted!