Photo by Josh Applegate
A founding member of the Square Peg Alliance, a group of musicians who are “really like each other”, Andrew Peterson has been active since 1996. This folk rock, roots rock, and country gospel musician released a whopping 19 albums, including Love and Thunder (2003), Counting Stars (2010), and The Burning Edge of Dawn (2015).
He also published several books, including The Ballad of Matthew’s Begats (2007) and The Wingfeather Saga, a series of four books released between 2008 and 2015. He won the Christie Award for Young Adult Fiction in 2009 for his second book of this series, North! Or Be Eaten (2009).
Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Andrew-peterson-is-he-worthy-lyrics.
Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site! Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.
1. What message does the song communicate?
The entire song focuses on Christ as the returning, ruling, reigning King, who will create a new heaven/earth, is worthy to open the scroll, and deserves our praise and obedience. Peterson manages to accomplish this with little repetition, stretching out his lyrics by adding the obvious answers to his rhetorical questions. Not that it’s a bad thing.
While the feelings references at the beginning might bother some, it is minimal and does not bother me.
Score: 10/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
100% of these lyrics align with the Bible.
[Verse 1]
Line 1: A question of feeling. The brokenness of the world started in Genesis 3 and is a major theme throughout the entire Bible.
Line 2: Another feelings-based question. It should not be surprising that we are attacked for our faith (Luke 6:22, John 15:18-20, John 16:33, 2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Peter 4:12-19, and 1 John 3:13).
Line 3: This question is more objective, speaking of God’s light conquering darkness (Psalm 107:10-16, Luke 1:79, John 1:1-13, John 12:46, Ephesians 5:8, Colossians 1:13, and 1 Peter 2:9).
Line 4: Our first hint of end times, pointing to Isaiah 65:17, Isaiah 66:22, 2 Peter 3:10-13, and Revelation 21:1-5.
[Verse 2]
Line 1: Quotes from Romans 8:19-23.
Line 2: See commentary in Verse 1, line 4.
Line 3: Yes, because God is light (Psalm 27:1, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:130, Matthew 4:16, John 1:1-8, John 8:12, Ephesians 5:14, James 1:17, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 John 1:5-7, and Revelation 21:23).
Line 4: Although 2 Peter 1:12-15 has a specific context of the growth of Christian virtue, the larger context is the reminder of truths we already know to stay connected to God.
[Chorus]
Lines 1 and 2: No one! It made John weep (Revelation 5:1-5). Until…
Line 3: Christ! He is worthy to open the scroll (Revelation 5:6-10).
Line 4: He is the sacrificial lamb who paid for the sins of mankind (Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 1:29, John 3:16, John 19:30, Acts 4:12, Acts 20:28, Romans 5:6-10, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 1:3-4, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 2:14, 1 Timothy 2:6, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 9:26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9).
[Refrain 1]
Lines 1-4: According to Revelation 5:12 yes, Christ is worthy of praise.
[Verse 3]
Line 1: As demonstrated on the cross (Romans 5:6-8).
Line 2: He lives in us (Acts 6:5, Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:16-19, Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 5:18, and 2 Timothy 1:14) and convicts us (John 16:8).
Line 3: I hold the unpopular opinion that God does not love everyone, at least, not in the way our westernized minds things about God’s love. Yes, He loves the world (John 3:16) and showed His love through sacrifice (Romans 5:6-8), but He hates those who unrepentantly work iniquity (Psalm 5:5), love violence (Psalm 11:5), and seven other types of people (Prov. 6:16-19). He loves those who love Him (Proverbs 8:17) and we demonstrate we love God through obedience (John 14:21 and 1 John 5:3).
Line 4: That is, Christ will return (Matthew 24:43, Acts 1:9-11, 1 Corinthians 11:26, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, 2 Peter 3:10, and Revelation 16:15).
[Bridge]
Lines 1-4: Contextualizes Exodus 19:6 within Revelation 7:9-17 and Revelation 20:4-6 in a New Testament sense.
[Refrain 2]
Lines 1-8: Equivalent derivative of Refrain 1.
Score: 10/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
Unfortunately, most unbelievers will be completely lost. The theology is too deep for the average non-Christian to comprehend. Yes, they will immediately recognize this as Christian given the explicit name-drops of Jesus and God; However, it heavily utilizes figurative references that come straight out of Scripture. It requires more than a basic understanding of Christianity to comprehend its meaning.
Score: 7/10
4. What does this song glorify?
It glorifies the One who is worthy to open the scroll and open its seals.
Score: 10/10
Closing Comments
Don’t let the unbeliever score keep you from enjoying Andrew Peterson’s Is He Worthy? It has a great message that focuses on Christ’s second coming, contains Biblically accurate references, and glorifies Jesus.
While I would not recommend this to seeker-sensitive churches, those whose congregations are hungry for heavier theology should consider adding this one to their worship sets.
Final Score: 9.5/10
Artist Info
Track: Is He Worthy? (listen to the song)
Artist: Andrew Peterson
Album: Resurrection Letters, Volume I
Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)
Release Year: 2018
Duration: 4:33
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
Comments
racefangurl
Would a baby Christian struggle with this song, too? I mean, it’s heavy theology, not milk.
Vince Wright
racefangurl,
Thank you for your comment!
It depends on the baby Christian, about how much they know before coming to Christ. I can only speak for myself. When I became a follower of Jesus 10 years ago, I probably would struggle through it, aligning closer with category 3 than category 1.
-Vince Wright
Dan
These lyrics omit the rapture of the church. Who is “us” that God will dwell with in the lyrics. Based on context of the song and the doctrine of the church the co-writer attends, I believe the “us” is us – in our present state and form. This song leans towards Kingdom now / NAR theology. Although it is laced with beautiful biblical reference, it subtilty misleads.
Vince Wright
Dan,
Thank you for your comment!
We should all keep in mind that songs are neither sermons nor are they “required” to include a formulaic overview that checks all the boxes when discussing Christ’s second coming (or any other teaching for that matter). Should we fault this song for excluding the fall of Satan (Revelation 20:7-10), the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16), and the seals, trumpets, and bowls of wrath? This seems an unfair approach to evaluate Christian music.
Also, Bridge ends with “He has made us a kingdom and priests to God to reign with the Son” (emphasis mine). As you’re probably aware, this concept of reigning with Christ comes from Revelation 20:4–6 and Revelation 22:5, which would have occurred post-rapture.
-Vince Wright
Dana
First off, I love AP and I love this most worshipful song. I have a friend arguing that it is wrong to ask the question, “Is He worthy?” I see it as somewhat a rhetorical question that we already know the answer to. Also, a way for believers to say to the world that yes, we know He is worthy! Any thoughts or insights are greatly appreciated. Thank you
Vince Wright
Dana,
Thank you for your comments!
“Rhetorical question” is a style of writing/speech that Jesus used in at least one occasion. In Matthew 5:13, Jesus says that “You are the salt of the earth”, then asks, “but, if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?”. The answer, of course, is that it cannot. That is why “It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men”, as the rest of the Verse goes. Paul does something similar in the oft-quoted Romans 8:31, which he asks, “If God is for us, who is against us?” The answer, of course, is no one.
In the same way, I agree that “is He worthy?” is a rhetorical question with an obvious answer. Yes, He is. The lyrics explicitly state this later in this section, confirming the answer. While most rhetorical questions are not answered, there is no rule in English (or Hebrew/Greek, insofar as I know) that forbids rhetorical questions from an explicit answer.
-Vince Wright
Sara
Thank you for all the thoughtful scripture references for every line of the song. The first time I heard the song I was a little taken aback by the call/response format, but it nicely frames the unison of the powerful refrain which is our Eternal Hope & Faith! He Is!
Vince Wright
Sara,
Thank you for your comment! I appreciate your compliment.
-Vince Wright
Mark
It’s silly that you deduct points because of your hand-wringing about whether “outsiders” can interpret it or not. Do you take points off Jesus for teaching in Parables? You should ADD points because songs like this will provoke thought and cause “outsiders” to ask questions and seek out answers.
Steve Barhydt
Mark,
First, it’s his website and, therefore, he can establish the criteria for evaluation as he sees fit. (If you haven’t already done so, I would suggest reading the ‘Evaluation Criteria’ under the ‘Additional Info’ page). calling this silly is neither gracious or helpful.
Second, it’s not “hand-wringing” but an attempt at expressing his personal opinion on the value of the song to the un-churched. Sometimes, I agree with him sometimes I do not. This song however, I agree 100%. Many Christians would be lost on some of the imagery.
Thirdly, Jesus spoke in parables for a very specific reason at a very specific time in history. (Look it up in Matthew 13.) When trying to reach the lost, we do not have His excuse. In this day and age when the things of the Church are under constant attack, misrepresentation, and misinterpretation, we need clarity of message not metaphors and similes.
Finally, reread Vince’s closing comments. He recommends the song to more theologically orientated churches.
Could the Holy Spirit use this song to draw in the lost? Of course, He can use anything He wishes. Is it likely to go over their heads and, therefore, be ignored? In my opinion, Yes.
Vince Wright
Steve,
Thank you for your response! I couldn’t have said it better myself.
-Vince Wright
Scott Bradford
Small sample size….but I sent a link to this song to three unchurched friends….they all said “incredible or awesome” in a reply.
Kathy
While I understand the message of the song and the Bible references, I do not think imperfect humans can ask in the first person if Jesus is worthy. It makes it sound like we have to think about it and come to that conclusion. I am very uncomfortable with those lyrics because I am not worthy to truly utter them.
Scott Bradford
I couldn’t agree more…..excellent thoughts.
Linda anglin
Completely Agree! I love this song! Such an awesome worship song of praise to Jesus our Savior and Lord!!