Set Me Free

Casting Crowns' “Set Me Free” retells the Gospel account of the man with a legion of demons, told in the first person. The opening lines look back: “It hasn't always been this way, I remember brighter days, before the dark ones came, stole my mind, wrapped my soul in chains.” Now he lives “among the dead,” fighting “voices in my head” and hoping someone will hear him crying at night.

The chorus is his cry, “Set me free of the chains holding me, is anybody out there hearing me?” The second verse finds him alone in the rain, and then a stranger appears. “Who is this man that comes my way? The dark ones shriek, they scream His name. Is this the One they say will set the captives free?” The final verse moves into the voice of Jesus, who looks him in the eyes, asks “Do you want to be free?” and says “Lift your chains, I hold the key. All power on heaven and earth belongs to me.” The song ends with the line “You are free.”

The story is told in Mark 5:1-13. Christ's authority is Matthew 28:18, and freedom from the Son is John 8:36.