You've probably heard it in a car, during a Sunday morning service, or maybe while scrolling through a playlist when you really needed a lift. That soaring chorus hits: "I am redeemed, You set me free." It’s visceral. Mike Weaver’s voice has this specific, gravelly vulnerability that makes you believe he’s actually been through the wringer. When people search for lyrics I am redeemed bought with a price, they aren't just looking for a rhyming scheme. They're looking for the theology of a second chance.
It’s about a transaction.
That specific phrase—"bought with a price"—isn't just a catchy line thrown in to fill a rhythmic gap. It's a direct lift from 1 Corinthians 6:20. In the world of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), "Redeemed" by Big Daddy Weave stands as a juggernaut. Released in 2012 on the album Love Come to Life, it didn't just top charts; it stayed there. It stayed because it touched on the universal human experience of feeling like "trash," as Weaver himself has described in interviews.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Lyrics
A lot of folks think this song is just a happy-go-lucky "I'm saved" anthem. It isn't. Not really. If you look closely at the opening verses, it's actually quite dark. It starts in a place of deep insecurity.
"Seems like all I could see was the struggle / Felt like all I could feel was the weight."
That is heavy stuff. It’s a song written from the perspective of someone who is tired of their own shadow. The lyrics capture that internal dialogue we all have—the one that says we are defined by our biggest mistakes or our most glaring flaws.
The turning point in the song happens when the narrative shifts from self-perception to divine perception. This is where the lyrics I am redeemed bought with a price come into play. It’s the realization that value isn't subjective; it’s paid for. In the context of the song, the "price" refers to the Christian belief in the sacrifice of Jesus. It moves the conversation from "How do I feel about myself?" to "What was someone willing to pay for me?"
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The Raw Inspiration Behind the Music
Mike Weaver has been incredibly open about the fact that he struggled with self-hatred for years. Imagine being a successful musician, standing on a stage, and feeling like a complete fraud because you don't like the person you see in the mirror. That’s where this song was born.
He was actually in a dressing room, complaining to God about his appearance and his failures. He felt like he was "damaged goods." According to Weaver, he felt a distinct impression—a divine nudge—reminding him that he was seeing himself through a distorted lens. He was looking at the "old" man, not the person he had become through his faith.
He co-wrote the track with Ben Glover. Glover is a powerhouse in the Nashville songwriting scene, having worked with everyone from Chris Tomlin to for KING & COUNTRY. Together, they distilled Weaver’s mid-life identity crisis into a three-and-a-half-minute radio hit. They didn't polish away the grit. They kept the "shaking fists" and the "shadow of who I used to be." That's why it resonates. It’s honest.
Breaking Down the Theology of "Bought With a Price"
Let's get technical for a second. The word "redeemed" comes from the marketplace. Specifically, the slave market of the ancient world.
To redeem someone meant to pay a ransom to set them free. It’s a legal term as much as it is a religious one. When the lyrics I am redeemed bought with a price play, they are echoing a specific biblical concept called "penal substitutionary atonement." Basically, the idea is that humanity owed a debt it couldn't pay, and Christ paid a debt He didn't owe.
- The first part of the song acknowledges the debt (sin, shame, the "old me").
- The chorus announces the payment (the "price").
- The bridge celebrates the result (freedom, being "set free").
It’s a simple three-act structure. It works because it mirrors the classic hero’s journey but applies it to the soul.
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Why the Song "Redeemed" Became a Cultural Moment
You don't get to the top of the Billboard Christian Songs chart by accident. "Redeemed" spent weeks at number one. It was certified Platinum. But why?
Honestly, it’s the bridge.
"I'm not who I was / I am being built into something new."
This is the "already, but not yet" tension of life. We aren't perfect, but we aren't what we used to be. For a listener struggling with addiction, or a parent who feels they've failed their kids, or someone just wrestling with the general anxiety of the 21st century, that line is a lifeline. It offers permission to be a work in progress.
The production by Seth Mosley also played a huge role. It has this driving, mid-tempo folk-rock vibe that feels grounded. It doesn't use too many synths or artificial layers. It sounds like a band in a room, which fits the "authentic" brand of the message.
Comparing Big Daddy Weave's Version to Others
While Big Daddy Weave's version is the definitive one for this generation, the theme of being "bought with a price" is a staple in hymnody.
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- Fanny Crosby’s "Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It": Written in the late 1800s, this hymn covers the exact same ground but with a 19th-century Victorian sensibility.
- Nicole C. Mullen’s "Redeemer": This one focuses more on the majesty of the one doing the redeeming, whereas Big Daddy Weave focuses on the relief of the person being redeemed.
It's interesting to see how the language evolves. Crosby used words like "infinitude." Weaver uses words like "struggle" and "weight." The core truth remains, but the "skin" of the song changes to fit the culture.
Real-World Impact: More Than Just Notes
I’ve seen stories of people who were literally on the brink of giving up when this song came on. There’s a documented case of a woman who was planning to end her life, heard "Redeemed" on the radio, and pulled over to call a crisis line.
That isn't just "good SEO" or "clever songwriting." That’s the power of a message meeting a specific human need. The lyrics act as a mirror. They show you your reflection, but then they show you the reflection of who you are meant to be.
Actionable Takeaways for the Listener
If you’re diving into the lyrics I am redeemed bought with a price, don’t just read them. Internalize the shift in perspective they suggest.
- Audit your self-talk. Are you using the "old" vocabulary? The song suggests that those labels ("trash," "broken," "failure") are legally void because the "price" has been paid.
- Check the source. The song points back to 1 Corinthians. If the lyrics move you, reading the original context can provide a deeper layer of "why" behind the "what."
- Share the story. The band often asks fans to share their "Redeemed" stories. There is a psychological benefit to vocalizing your own transition from the "old you" to the "new you."
- Listen for the nuance. Next time you hear the track, pay attention to the drums in the second verse. There's a build-up that symbolizes the rising confidence of the singer. It’s a masterclass in emotional arrangement.
The song works because it doesn't lie to you. It admits that the "shadow" is real. It admits the "weight" is heavy. But it insists, loudly and repeatedly, that the weight has been lifted by someone else. That is the essence of redemption. It’s a trade. Your mess for His mercy. Your debt for His payment.
Go back and listen to the acoustic version if you can find it. Without the big radio production, the raw honesty of the lyrics stands out even more. You can hear the catch in Mike Weaver’s voice. It’s the sound of a man who actually believes what he’s singing. And in a world of manufactured "content," that kind of belief is rare. It's why we’re still talking about these lyrics over a decade after they were written. They aren't just words; they’re a receipt for a life that’s been bought back.