II Chronicles

Lifted nearly word for word from God's answer to Solomon, the verses of "II Chronicles" recite 2 Chronicles 7:14 twice: "If my people who are called by my name would humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven... I will forgive their sins and I will heal their land." The second pass stretches the words out, with "humble themselves, humble themselves," a backing voice calling "seek my face," and "heal, heal, heal their land."

The chorus is where Donald Lawrence adds his own voice to the verse. Four repetitions of "This is the answer" point back to the verse, and the lines "Jesus said, humble yourself and pray" and "this is the only answer" turn an ancient promise into a direct word to the congregation. The lyrics add no other storyline, so the song works as a sung reading of one verse with an urgent refrain attached.

The condition comes first and the promise second, and the song keeps them in that order. Turning from "wicked ways" echoes Proverbs 28:13, which pairs confessing and forsaking sin with mercy, while "the only answer" leans toward Acts 4:12's claim that salvation is found in no one else.