War Is My Shepherd

Exodus's song "War Is My Shepherd" is a powerful and provocative commentary on the brutal realities of war and the contrasting beliefs that drive individuals into conflict. The lyrics juxtapose religious faith with a militant mindset, highlighting the futility and devastation of war. The opening lines, "You put your faith in Christianity / I put mine in artillery," set the tone for the entire song, emphasizing the stark difference between spiritual salvation and reliance on weaponry. The reference to the M-16 as a "lord and savior" underscores the idea that, for some, the tools of war provide a sense of security and purpose that religion fails to offer.

The chorus, with its haunting repetition of "War is my shepherd," serves as a grim parody of the biblical Psalm 23, where God is described as a shepherd guiding his flock. In this context, war takes on the role of a guiding force, leading individuals into violence and destruction. The lines "Pay for all of those in pain / For those who died in vain" reflect the senseless loss and suffering caused by war, while the phrase "Scars from battle nevermore" suggests that the physical and emotional wounds of conflict are everlasting.

The song also critiques the human tendency to fear and destroy what we do not understand. The lines "Hate it if we can't comprehend it / Kill it if we don't understand it" point to the irrationality and destructiveness of such behavior. The mention of religious figures like Graham and Farahkahn, juxtaposed with the need for napalm, further illustrates the conflict between faith and violence. The final lines, "Praise the lord and pass the ammunition / My sermon is my demolition," encapsulate the song's central theme: the destructive power of war and the hollow promises of salvation through violence.