284 How Does Mankind’s Pain Arise?
Verse 1
Because people do not recognize God’s sovereignty,
they’re rebellious and defiant in the face of fate,
they shun what fate has in store and God’s authority,
hoping to change their lot, their fate, but all in vain.
Pre-chorus 1
They can’t succeed, they will always be beaten.
This struggle in their souls which they face
brings pain which cuts to the bone,
as they fritter their lives away.
Chorus
What is the cause of man’s pain?
It is caused by the paths that they take,
and the choices that they make
in the ways that they live their lives.
Verse 2
Man’s tragedy is not his wish to live happily,
or that he seeks fame and fortune and resists his fate.
It’s that he’s seen God is real and rules man’s destiny,
yet still he cannot mend the error of his ways.
Pre-chorus 2
He would rather vie against God’s sovereign might
and only when broken concede.
Those who submit are wise, God says,
those who struggle are foolish indeed.
Chorus
What is the cause of man’s pain?
It is caused by the paths that they take,
and the choices that they make
in the ways that they live their lives.
Outro
Some people may not have realized.
But when you appreciate,
when you truly come to recognize
that God rules over human fate,
when you see all God has planned for you
is a great aid and protection,
your pain will start to lighten soon,
your whole being will know liberation.
Adapted from The Word, Vol. 2. On Knowing God. God Himself, the Unique III