Lyrics Page
Tear My House Down
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Aug 25, 2026 updated
Verified editorial review
Chris Renzema's song "Tear My House Down" is a heartfelt prayer of surrender, asking God to dismantle the self-protective structures we build to keep pain out. The lyrics use the metaphor of a house built from personal effort—bricks, clay, and sticks—to represent our attempts at control and safety. Renzema pleads for God to tear down these defenses and set him on the solid rock of His salvation, where his feet won't slip. The song expresses a desire to return to a place of dependence on God, breaking down the man-made kingdom we've constructed. It's a raw, honest cry for transformation and trust in God's foundation.
Lyrics Verified by Editorial Team
With my own bricks
With clay and sticks
I've been building my house
With tar and mortar
Been making my border
To keep the pain out
With my own bricks
With clay and sticks
I've been building my house
With tar and mortar
Been making my border
To keep the pain out
So would You tear my house down?
Would You tear my house down?
Would You tear my house down?
Would You tear my house down?
With my own bricks
With clay and sticks
I've been building my house
With tar and mortar
Been making my border
To keep the pain out
So would You tear my house down?
Would You tear my house down?
Would You tear my house down?
Would You tear my house down?
And set me on Your rock, oh God
Would You place me where my feet won't slip?
Would You set me on Your rock, oh God?
Would You place me where my feet won't slip?
Would You set me on Your rock, oh God?
Would You place me where my feet won't slip?
Would You set me on Your rock, oh God?
Would You place me where my feet won't slip?
So take me back to where I started
Take me back to when I was
In Your heart, in Your home
Before I went out on my own
Oh, tear this house down to its foundations
Break what You must break in me
On the shores of Your salvation
Cast my man-made kingdom into the sea
Oh, into the sea
Would You tear my house down?
Would You place me where my feet won't slip?
Would You tear my house down?
Would You place me where my feet won't slip?