Down in the Cistern” — Jeremiah 38
Verse 1 — The Accusation
They heard the word and hardened still
“This man weakens the people’s will
He speaks of surrender, not of fight
He drains the courage from our sight”
So they went to the king and said
“Let him die — his words bring dread”
The king replied with a weakened hand
“He’s in your power… do as you planned”
Chorus — The Cost of Truth
When truth won’t bend to please the crowd
It’s called a threat and shouted down
What saves a life is labeled wrong
When fear decides what should be strong
The word that points the safer way
Is cast aside… and pushed away
Verse 2 — The Pit
They took me to the cistern’s mouth
Lowered me down where light runs out
No water there, just sinking clay
Mud that pulls your strength away
I sank until I could not stand
Left to die by human hands
No trial held, no mercy shown
Just silence… and a stone
Chorus — Buried Alive
Buried alive for telling truth
Condemned by age, despised by youth
The pit becomes the prophet’s bed
Where faithful words are nearly dead
Yet even here, beneath the ground
God hears the prayer that makes no sound
Bridge — The Courage of One
Ebed-Melech saw what others wouldn’t see
A servant stood where kings would flee
He spoke to Zedekiah’s ear
“Innocent blood is shed in fear”
Permission given — ropes prepared
Old rags to spare the skin they shared
They pulled me up with careful hands
Mercy rising… from the sand
Verse 3 — The Private Question
The king sent for me once again
“Tell me the truth — do not pretend
But if you speak, they’ll kill you still
If I obey, I lose my will”
I said, “Surrender and you will live
This is the life the Lord will give
But if you stay and choose your pride
The fire comes… no place to hide”
Final Chorus — Fear or Faith
You fear the crowd, you fear their voice
So fear decides instead of choice
The word stands firm — unchanged, unbent
Life waits on humble descent
The truth remains, the path is clear
But fear keeps kings from drawing near
Outro — Rescued but Unheeded
I was saved from the pit that day
But truth was left in chains to stay
The cistern emptied, the city still
Would not obey… refused God’s will
