Not Safe
Gable Price And Friends
The Paradox of Divine Goodness and Wildness
Gable Price and Friends' song "Not Safe" delves into the complex and often paradoxical nature of the divine. The lyrics juxtapose the comforting aspects of God with His awe-inspiring and sometimes terrifying power. The song opens with imagery of being 'seated in the heavenlies' and 'feasting on the air You breathe,' evoking a sense of divine intimacy and spiritual elevation. However, this closeness to the divine also brings a sense of being 'ruined for eternal things,' highlighting the transformative and unsettling impact of encountering something so profoundly holy.
The recurring refrain, 'He's a good God, but good God, He is not safe,' encapsulates the central theme of the song. This line suggests that while God is inherently good, His goodness is not synonymous with safety or predictability. The lyrics describe God as 'beautiful and terrifying,' 'glorious and petrifying,' emphasizing the duality of divine nature. This portrayal challenges the often simplistic view of God as merely a benevolent figure, urging listeners to recognize the wild, untamed aspects of the divine.
The song also touches on the idea of divine sovereignty and the human response to it. Lines like 'The King shall be our remedy' and 'He's good, He's wild, He's anything but tame' reinforce the notion that God's ways are beyond human understanding and control. The repeated references to being 'down here as in the heavenlies' suggest a desire for the divine order to manifest on Earth, acknowledging that this process may be both beautiful and unsettling. Through its evocative lyrics and powerful imagery, "Not Safe" invites listeners to grapple with the awe-inspiring and often paradoxical nature of divine goodness and wildness.