Dê-nos Mãos Limpas

The song 'Dê-nos Mãos Limpas' by Filhos do Homem is a heartfelt plea for spiritual purity and devotion. The lyrics begin with a powerful image of humility and surrender, as the singer describes bowing both their knees and heart. This act of submission is a call for the Holy Spirit to break them down, to cleanse them from all evil and iniquity. The repetition of this imagery emphasizes the depth of their desire to be purified and to distance themselves from sin.

The chorus, 'Dê-nos mãos limpas, e um puro coração / Não nos deixe cair em vaidade,' translates to 'Give us clean hands and a pure heart / Do not let us fall into vanity.' This plea is a direct reference to Psalm 24:4, which speaks of those who may ascend the hill of the Lord and stand in His holy place. The request for clean hands and a pure heart signifies a desire for moral and spiritual integrity, free from the corruption of pride and vanity. The repetition of this chorus underscores the urgency and sincerity of their prayer.

The song culminates in a collective cry for the generation to seek God's face, specifically referring to the 'God of Jacob.' This reference to Jacob, a patriarch in the Bible, symbolizes a deep, historical connection to faith and the pursuit of God's presence. By invoking Jacob, the song connects the listener to a lineage of seekers who have earnestly sought after God. The repeated call to 'buscamos Tua face' (we seek Your face) reinforces the communal and continuous nature of this spiritual quest, urging listeners to join in this pursuit of divine intimacy and purity.