Photo by Clem Onojeghuo
Canyon Worship is a band created by….a university? Yes! Grand Canyon University to be exact.
They released their albums entitled “Canyon Worship [insert year]” since 2016, with the exception of 2023.
Lyrics can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFKyzYtx8Uw&ab_channel=GrandCanyonUniversity.
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1. What message does the song communicate?
Apart from Jesus, life is meaningless. With Him, Canyon Worship can push through life’s turmoils, trusting that He will be there every step of the way. Basking in His steadfast love and singing His praises, Canyon Worship follows His lead knowing that Christ understands their struggles intimately. Finally, the Son of God defeated the grave and reigns over them.
Score: 10/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
100% of it.
Since the only available copy of the lyrics that I could find is on a lyric video, which contains no Verse/Chorus/Bridge structure (or any structure for that manner), I provided breakpoints to pause the video. Sorry no categories to break up the sections!
0.28-0.47: Contrasts the meaninglessness of life apart from God (See the entire book of Ecclesiastes) to fixing one’s eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).
0:48-1:07: Canyon Worship is awestruck on how much God loves them. Line repeated a second time.
1:08-1:17: Probably a reference to Revelation 3:8.
1:18-1:28: References Lamentations 3:22-23.
1:29-1:49: Repeats 0:48-1:07.
1:50-2:03: Canyon Worship should not fear life’s circumstances because Jesus went through some of it Himself. He personally understands their predicament (Hebrews 4:14-16), present with them through it all (Deuteronomy 31:6-8, Joshua 1:5-9, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 139:7-10, Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 23:23-24, Zephaniah 3:17, Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 28:20, John 14:16-17, Hebrews 13:5, Romans 8:38-39, and Revelation 3:20). He is also a Ruler (Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 11:10, Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1-6, Luke 1:32-33, John 12:15, John 18:37, 1 Timothy 6:13-16, Revelation 17:14, and Revelation 19:11-16).
2:03-2:05: As written in Isaiah 25:8, Hosea 13:14, Luke 20:35-36, 1 Corinthians 15:24-26, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, 2 Timothy 1:10, and Hebrews 2:14.
2:06-2:10: Canyon Worship worships Him in song (1 Chronicles 16:23, Psalm 33:3, Psalm 96:1-2, Psalm 98:1, and Psalm 149:1).
2:11-2:31: Repeats 1:50-2:10.
2:32-3:26: Repeats 0:48-1:07. In the background, they add that Christ set them free (Psalm 119:45, Isaiah 58:6, Isaiah 61:1, John 3:16-21, John 8:31-36, John 10:10, Acts 13:38-39, Romans 6:1-23, Romans 8:1-4, Romans 8:20-21, 1 Corinthians 6:12, 1 Corinthians 7:21-23, 2 Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 2:4, Galatians 3:13, Galatians 3:22, Galatians 5:1, Galatians 5:13, Colossians 1:21-23, Hebrews 2:14-15, and 1 Peter 2:16).
Score: 10/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
Canyon Worship’s language is clear, despite not using proper names such as “God” or “Jesus”. They use phrases such as “steadfast love” and especially the “King of Majesty” that ease unbelievers into a Christian mindset. Though they will disagree with Canyon Worship’s conclusion about a meaningless life apart from God, they should easily understand what Canyon Worship means in each line.
Score: 10/10
4. What does this song glorify?
It glorifies Jesus as the Won whom Canyon Worship worships as their conqueror, leader, and King. In response, they sing to others about all He’s done.
Score: 10/10
Closing Comments
Canyon Worship’s How You Love Me is simple. Life is unlivable and void of meaning without Christ at our side. Fixing our eyes on Him, who defeated death and is Lord of our lives, we worship and adore Him in song, knowing that His lovingkindness is forever and His guidance will not lead us astray. These points bring Him glory. Unbelievers will not have many issues interpreting it, if any at all.
As for corporate worship, this song is very simple. It’s workable during church service given that it proclaims to Jesus His value and worth, but I think it would be more suited for a children’s church worship set.
Final Score: 10/10
Artist Info
Track: How You Love Me (listen to the song)
Artist: Canyon Worship
Album: Canyon Worship 2019
Genre: Pop
Release Year: 2019
Duration: 3:26
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