I’ll be doing a post on our setup. I sent you an email with the short version. Stay tuned for the long version.

Mandy, Rachel, Mark, Mom, Aaron,

Thanks so much for your encouragement. I really appreciate it.

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate your well thought out critique and I value your opinion greatly. My intent and doctrinal reasoning for that line is as follows:

The previous line talks about Jesus death, which is the means for any relationship we have with Jesus. But that relationship still imperfect, still fallen. The restoration of Jesus(bridegroom) to the church(bride) is the perfection of our relationship. I certainly do not intend to imply Jesus as the cause of the imperfect relationship(we certainly are to blame for that), but rather in that state He is the initiator and only one who can restore that relationship(bride to bridegroom) by His return.

So I do agree with you, we will be restored to Him, we are the broken ones, but the means of that restoration is in God’s hands, paved by grace and in his perfect timing. So the line is meant as an impatient request, Jesus be restored to your bride. Come rescue us. I could have said, “please be restored to your bride” but that doesn’t work rhythmically

I hope it doesn’t cause confusion. And I completely agree with the importance of doctrinal integrity in worship. Sometimes words fail to paint a totally clear context in worship and perhaps this is the case for this verse. If that be the case I pray God’s grace cover it and give me wisdom on how to communicate it better.

Thanks again Fred.

I only mention it (and in public form, hoping it will generate more comments for you!) as a thought … it’s a good song, and if there is any chance that something that could be “shaky” on a theological stance, you’d want it firmed up, IMHO, to make it even greater.

OK, so I realize I just offered a totally unsolicited opinion, but what do you think?

Great stuff!