The Theology of Worship Music – How Great Is Our God by Chris Tomlin, et. al.

The Theology of Worship Music – How Great Is Our God

by Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves

This song, written in 2004, still sits at #8 on CCLI’s Top 25. The main reason is the timeless message contained in the lyrics. How Great Is Our God is a simple song of praise to God. It reminds me of the 24 elders mentioned in The Revelation that circle the throne of God for eternity. They never tire of giving worship to God. We should have the same awe in our worship. This song gives voice to the heart-cry of the Believer.

Verse one gives two images of God; that of a King and Light. There are multiple places in scripture that speak to both of these. Here are a few that I chose.

Psalm 93:1 (ESV) The LORD reigns (King); he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.

John 1:4-5 (ESV) In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The chorus encourages anyone willing to join in singing praises to God. When we praise “then all will see how great is our God.”

Psalm 109:30 (ESV) With my mouth I will give great thanks to the LORD; I will praise him in the midst of the throng.

The second verse gives several images to evoke praise from the singer. The first is that God is eternal: “age to age”, “time is in His hand”, “beginning and the end”.

Ephesians 3:21 (ESV) to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Lamentations 5:19 (ESV) But you, O LORD, reign forever; your throne endures to all generations.

Daniel 4:3 (ESV) How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.

Revelation 1:8 (ESV) “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Then it speaks of the triune nature of God: “the Godhead, Three in One”, “Father, Spirit, Son”.

Matthew 28:19 (ESV) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Lastly it refers to Jesus, the returning Messiah: “The Lion and the Lamb”.

Revelation 5:5-6 (ESV) And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

The bridge of the song brings the worshipper to a higher place from which to worship our God. Not only does the music take you higher in voice, but also the lyric gets your mind focused on things above. The reality of worship is that God does not increase when we praise Him. Our view of Him is magnified when we give ourselves to praising Him.

Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV) Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Psalm 18:3 (ESV) I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

I hope we continue to sing this “new hymn” of the Church. I know most modern worship songwriters do not care for that term because “hymn” is usually interpreted “antiquated”. I do not use that definition. The New Testament uses the word “hymn” often. The Greek word is “hymneo” and simply means, “to celebrate God in song.” We are the ones that have ascribed a negative meaning to the word.

So with that said, let the Church sing its hymns until we see Jesus again!