Lyrics Page

Where Forgiveness is

By Sidewalk Prophets

1,001 views Sep 24, 2026 updated The Things That Got Us Here album Verified editorial review

Song Meaning

Sidewalk Prophets open on the version of the story where they were right and someone else was wrong: "I chose the upper hand over open hands, bitterness over understand." The second verse turns that choice into architecture — "now there's rooms in my heart under lock and key" — rooms built to keep hurt out that ended up keeping trust and love out too.

"Why'd I wait so long to unlock these doors" admits the delay honestly rather than skipping to resolution: "said I was safer there, really I was scared." The chorus names the trade directly — "letting go of anger, pride and pain" — in exchange for a place "where hope collides with grace again," close to Paul's instruction to put away bitterness and forgive as we've been forgiven.

The final refrain doesn't dress up the difficulty: "at first these words were hard to say" sits right next to the result, "then my heart was healed and my story's changed," landing on the same repeated claim — freedom isn't found by holding the grudge tighter, it's found exactly where forgiveness is.

Lyrics Verified by Editorial Team

Thought that I was right

Knew that you were wrong

I chose the upper hand over open hands

Bitterness over understand


Now there's rooms in my heart

Under lock and key

Where I kept an honest love and all my trust

From the hurt that happened to me


Now I'm letting go of anger, pride and pain

I'm going back to a place where hope collides with grace again

Freedom's where forgiveness is


Why'd I wait so long

To unlock these doors

Said I was safer there, really I was scared

Now I'm not afraid anymore


Now I'm letting go of anger, pride and pain

I'm going back to a place where hope collides with grace again

Freedom's where forgiveness is

At first these words were hard to say

Then my heart was healed and my story's changed

Now a sweeter life I'm breathing in

Freedom's where forgiveness is


Now I'm letting go of anger, pride and pain

I'm going back to a place where hope collides with grace again

Freedom's where forgiveness is

At first these words were hard to say

Then my heart was healed and my story's changed

Now a sweeter life I'm breathing in

Freedom's where forgiveness is

Freedom's where forgiveness is

Freedom's where forgiveness is

Oh, there's freedom


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