Corinthian Song

Kathy Taylor's “Corinthian Song” is a short gospel piece made of lines from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians. It begins, “I am troubled, yet not distressed, perplexed, but not in despair.” Between those lines the singer calls herself “a vessel full of power, with a treasure none can compare,” which is how Paul described the clay jar that holds the gospel.

The second part continues with pairs: “Persecuted, but not forsaken, cast down, but not destroyed.” The refrain names the source of that strength, “I'm a vessel full of Holy Ghost power, I've got a treasure from the Lord.” The next verse adds a personal confession, “Bruised and battered but not broken, born in sin but from sin set free.” The closing section is thanks to the Father, because his power “has resurrected me over painful circumstances.”

The pairs of troubled and not distressed are 2 Corinthians 4:7-9. The power that raises the believer is Romans 8:11, and being set free from sin is Romans 6:18.