While it’s clearly not a Christian song, it is a profoundly honest song.

I believe there is a powerful message for us as we enter 2018. When I considered the meaning behind the lyrics, I found something that spoke to my soul. Rabbi Ruth Gan Kagan affectionately called it a ‘hymn of the heretic’. Cohen said the song represented absolute surrender in a situation you cannot fix or dominate. Some see only an ode to sex, others a deeply religious struggle. The brilliance of the lyrics of ‘Hallelujah’ is their openness and even invitation to a myriad of interpretations. It reminded me of my generation trying to figure out what Don McLean’s ‘American Pie’ was all about, positing everything from the death of Buddy Holly to the second coming of Christ. I read through all the verses (fifteen in all, only about eight of which every get performed) and I read various stories and interpretations of their meaning. When I watched this Pentatonix rendition, I had to figure out what Cohen was saying in his choice of such cryptic language. The song always moves me to tears, but I could never figure out the lyrics, so I ignored them and just enjoyed the powerful melody. If you don’t know it (or even if you do) take a moment and listen to this amazing performance by Pentatonix: Leonard Cohen released the song in 1984 and since then it has been performed by a “who’s who” of artists and featured in scores of movies, TV shows and music videos. You’ve likely heard the song, “Hallelujah.” Most people love the dramatic, mesmerizing melody.

The lyrics to the song hallelujah