About this song
Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)
By Hillsong UNITED
Updated
What “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” means
This song is a prayerful worship anthem about trusting God when life feels uncertain and overwhelming. The ocean and waves are symbolic: they represent fear, mystery, and situations where human control fails, while God’s presence is portrayed as a safe place and a guiding force. The tone is reverent, surrendering, and emotionally intense, building from personal devotion into a communal declaration of faith. For a language learner, it is especially rich in metaphorical religious language such as “call upon your name,” “deepest waters,” and “take me deeper,” which all express trust, vulnerability, and spiritual dependence.
Line by line
Lines worth knowing
“you call me out”
This suggests God is inviting the singer into a difficult or unknown situation. It can also mean being called into a deeper faith, not just a physical place.
“keep my eyes above the waves”
This is a vivid image of staying focused on God instead of being overwhelmed by problems. “Waves” symbolize trouble, fear, or emotional chaos.
“my soul will rest”
This line expresses inner peace, not just physical rest. It suggests that trusting God brings calm even when circumstances are unstable.
“take me deeper”
Here, “deeper” means a stronger, more serious faith experience. It is a common Christian metaphor for growth through challenges.
“where feet may fail”
This phrase means a place so deep or dangerous that a person cannot stand safely. Metaphorically, it points to moments when human ability is no longer enough and faith must take over.
“I am yours”
This is a statement of surrender and belonging. It shows a close relationship with God and is a central idea in worship music.
Play the song above for the full karaoke-synced lyrics with line-by-line translation.
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