The Theology of Worship Music – Mighty to Save by Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan

The Theology of Worship Music – Mighty to Save

by Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan

Here’s another Reuben Morgan song. I really like this guy. He is definitely one of the best Hillsong writers. This is another song that doesn’t draw on one particular passage of scripture for its lyrics, but every line in it is a description of some aspect of the work of Jesus in the life of the Believer.

Verse one gives a simple explanation as to what draws a person to Christ. When words like compassion, unfailing love, mercy, forgiveness, kindness, and hope describe someone, it becomes very easy to give them your heart. That is exactly who Jesus is: Savior. He is Mighty To Save.

The chorus follows with some of the things that qualify Jesus to be our Savior. He can move mountains.

Matthew 21:21 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

He is the author and finisher of our faith.

Hebrews 12:2 (KJV) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus died, and was raised from the dead. The tomb is empty!

Romans 14:9 (KJV) For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

The second verse leads the worshipper in a prayer of consecration to the Lord. It contains images that remind me of two classic hymns from my youth, Just As I Am and I Surrender All. “Take me as You find me.” Confession of “fears and failures”, the need for being filled, and yielding our life are all part of the Believer’s response to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The bridge of the song reinforces the desire of the worshipper: Don’t look at me. I’m singing of One greater that myself. Let Him be glorified.

That really should be the desire of every Christian. I hope it is your desire. Sing on!

The Theology of Worship Music – Forever Reign by Jason Ingram and Reuben Morgan

The Theology of Worship Music – Forever Reign

by Jason Ingram and Reuben Morgan

Another perennial hit by Hillsong sits at #9 on the CCLI Top 25: Forever Reign. Reuben Morgan is one of my favorite songwriters. His lyric and melodies seem to blend so well. This song is no exception.

There is not a clear scriptural basis for the song. It is clearly a song written to give praise to Jesus. There is imagery used to illustrate the relationship of the Bridegroom (Jesus) and His Church; “running to Your arms” and “nothing compares to Your embrace.”

The first verse contains different descriptions of Jesus as “hope, good, light, and love.” Verse two uses “peace, true, joy, and life.” Each attribute mentioned is contrasted by something that particular aspect helps overcome in the life of the Believer. This same kind of device is found in great hymns like Amazing Grace. “Sweet and wretch, lost and found, blind and see.” The last verse rounds out the terms used to praise God with “more, Lord, here, and God.”

After expressing admiration for the Lord by listing His characteristics the chorus then describes the worshipper as giving in to the longing to be with the Bridegroom. “Oh, I’m running to Your arms.” There is no better place than to be in the arms of our Savior.

The bridge of this song is my favorite part. It simply repeats the confession of a resolute Believer: “My heart will sing no other name, Jesus.” Each time the dynamic of the music builds until finally the worshipper declares again, “I’m running to Your arms.”

There are many verses that could be used to describe the various names mentioned in this song; too many to list. The lyric doesn’t stretch one’s theological mind to understand it. It is really quite simple, but effective nonetheless.

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!

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

The Theology of Worship Music – Our God

by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman

One of the Hebrew words for praise is “halal,” which means, “to boast about our God.” This song, Our God, by Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, and others is the essence of “halal.” From beginning to end the lyrics tell of the wonderful things God has done.

The verses allude to things Jesus did during His time on earth. Turning water into wine (the wedding in John 2), opening the eyes of the blind (John 9 and others), and shining in darkness (John 8:12) are clear references to actions or statements made by Jesus.

The chorus lauds the attributes of Our God: greater, stronger, higher, healer, and awesome in power. (There are multiple references for these.) The bridge then declares complete faith in Our God by declaring, “If God is for us, who can be against us.” (Romans 8:31)

I love singing this song, and any song like it. There is no greater way for Believers to express their faith than through declarative songs like Our God. If you’re not familiar with it, check it out.

The Theology of Modern Worship Music – One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails) by Brian Johnson, et. al.

The Theology of Modern Worship Music – One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails)

by Brian Johnson, Christa Black Gifford, Jeremy Riddle

There are some very interesting videos on YouTube and other places that give you the lyrics to part of a song and ask, “Is it a love song or worship song?” Many times it is hard to distinguish between the two. I understand that worship to Jesus from His Church, the Bride of Christ, is love songs to Him. I have led many of the songs that fall into this nebulous realm because they lack direct references to the Trinity.

Today’s song is one of these. One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails) is a song that has one focus: love. When sung in a worship setting it gives voice to the deep love the Believer has for his/her Lord. If you were to tune in to a random radio station playing the song it could just as easily be a secular love song.

The bridge is the most overtly Christian of all of the lyrics. “My debt is paid. There’s nothing that can separate my heart from Your great love.” It’s hard to imagine how this phrase could be mistaken as a secular love song.

At any rate, that is one of the main criticisms given modern worship music. I personally don’t have a problem with it. I know what is in my heart when I sing songs like this. I don’t have a problem with “redeeming” secular love songs and using them as worship to the Lord. We have sung Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful” many times in worship. I love it.

You're everything I hoped for

You're everything I need

You are so beautiful

To me

Well, let’s get back to the issue at hand. What is the theology behind One Thing Remains? As I mentioned earlier, the song has a sing focus: love. I believe it to be the love of God. Here’s something Jesus said that can help us understand why a Believer might sing this song.

Matthew 22:36-40 (ESV) “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

That pretty well explains the title: One Thing. When Jesus, the Word of God made flesh, says love is the most important thing you can take it to the bank.

1 John 4:19 (ESV) We love because he first loved us.

The only reason we the capacity to love is because of the love of God. His love becomes our purpose, our mission, our ministry.

1 John 3:16 (ESV) By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

Just as verse two of the song declares, “On and on and on and on it goes, it overwhelms and satisfies my soul”, we could go on and on about the love of God. It is the reason we worship. I’m glad we have songs like One Thing Remains to express our gratitude to God for His love, without which we would be lost, and without His love we would not the capacity to love others.

Thanks, Bethel Music, for generating some great worship songs to lead us into a deeper walk with our Lord.