A religious metaphor for a sexual encounter, "Bedroom Hymns" has a strong overlying theme of submission in sex. The first verse of the song deals exclusively with the song's religious double-meaning, referencing an altar, confessions, and Jesus. One controversial element is in the verse, "Make me your Maria/ I'm already on my knees," which many interpret to mean the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, who is referred to as Maria in many religious contexts. However, the verse in question is referencing, of course, sex, and the next verse says, "you had Jesus on your breath/ and I caught Him in mine," which in the case of Jesus' own mother, a virgin nonetheless, doesn't make much sense. The verse could refer to St. Mary Magdalene, a prostitute who became a disciple of Christ after he exorcised her demons. Some make the heretical claim that she was Jesus' lover. In the sexual sense it would make more sense than Jesus' mother. Also, this would not be Florence's only song referring to Mary Magdalene. "Seven Devils" refers to St. Mary Magdalene's possession by the Seven Devils before her exorcism by Christ. In any case, the rest of "Bedroom Hymns" refers to religion in other ways, with idols, bedroom hymns, and absolution. The song is essentially about her worship and submission to her lover, a rather explicit subject she felt was best expressed in religious terms... Why? Who knows.