Contemporary Worship – Broken Chains

“Contemporary Worship is a music group from Contemporary Church of Yeshua in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2020, the band started writing their own songs- songs that are unique both musically and lyrically.”

Source: https://contemporary-worship.com/.

Their debut album Endure is slated for release in 2023.

Also, check out my reviews of Yeshua Over Everything and The Storm.

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?

Jesus, the eternal ruler of the cosmos, rescued Contemporary Worship from the consequences of their violation of God’s laws. His holy words (though He is also the Word made flesh) compel Contemporary Worship to abandon self, capitulating to Christ’s rule and reign. He is worthy of adoration and praise.

This song also references some of Christ’s titles, including I AM, King of Kings, and Lamb of God.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

This song completely reflects Scripture.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

Holy are the words You speak

The Word of God is pure, true, and sourced in Him (Psalm 12:6, Psalm 18:30, Proverbs 30:5, John 1:1, John 1:14, John 14:6, and 1 Timothy 3:16).

I hunger for Your presence

Contemporary Worship’s soul is parched apart from God (Psalm 42:1, Psalm 63:1-2, Psalm 84:1-2, Psalm 143:6-7, Psalm 119:131, and Isaiah 26:8-9).

When I was dead in sin
You did not abandon me

Evidenced by the cross (John 3:16, Romans 5:6-8, and 1 John 4:9-10).

[Verse 2]

I pour my treasure at Your feet
Your face is what I seek

Describes Contemporary Worship’s surrender to God (Psalm 43:5, Isaiah 64:8, Matthew 10:38, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34-38, Mark 10:28, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27, John 15:1-11, Romans 6:13, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:7-10, and 1 Peter 5:6).

Yeshua, You hold the keys

References Revelation 1:18.

You have awakened me

That is, from deadness in sin to alive in Christ (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24).

[Chorus]

You broke my chains

As written in Psalm 116:16, Mark 5:8, Romans 6:20, and Galatians 5:1.

You changed my name

Borrows from Revelation 2:17.

You set me free

Contemporary Worship has freedom in Jesus (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).

You are my King forever

As referenced in Exodus 15:18, Psalm 10:16, Psalm 29:10, Psalm 92:8, Psalm 145:13, Psalm 146:10, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 11:10, Lamentations 5:19, Daniel 4:3, Daniel 4:34, Daniel 6:26, Micah 4:7, Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1-6, John 12:15, John 18:37, 1 Timothy 1:17, 1 Timothy 6:13-16, 1 Peter 5:1, Revelation 11:15, Revelation 17:14, and Revelation 19:11-16.

You broke my chains
You changed my name
You set me free
You are my King forever
You broke my chains
You changed my name
You set me free
You are my King forever

Repeats lines 1 and 2.

Side Note: Included in the second iteration of Chorus is the ad-lib “Whom the Son sets free is free indeed”, which quotes from John 8:36. There are also other ad-libs that repeat parts of Chorus.

[Instrumental Ad-Libs]

Forever and ever and ever

Essentially repeats the last word of Chorus, line 4.

Forever and ever and ever

Repeats line 1.  Also, if you watch the video, there is an added “ohhhh” which references Casper the friendly ghost.

Yeshua

The Hebraic name for Jesus.  Extremely helpful to contextualize who “God” is.

You’re my King

Essentially repeats Chorus, line 4.

Yes You are

Affirmation.

Forever and ever

Essentially repeats line 1.

I have a song to sing

More on this in Bridge.

[Bridge 1]

I have a song to sing
I will declare Your name

Contemporary Worship fulfills the Great Commission in song (Matthew 28:18-20).

You are the Great I Am

As stated by Jesus Himself in John 8:58, which references Exodus 3:13-14.

Lord of All

He is Sovereign (Genesis 1:1, Deuteronomy 4:39, Deuteronomy 10:14, Joshua 2:11, Nehemiah 9:6, Psalm 29:10, Psalm 45:6, Psalm 50:7-15, Psalm 93:1-2, Psalm 115:3, Psalm 135:6, Isaiah 43:13, Isaiah 45:9-10, Isaiah 46:10, Lamentations 5:19, Daniel 4:35, Romans 9:19-21, Ephesians 1:11, Hebrews 1:8, James 4:15, Revelation 4:11, and Revelation 20:11).

Yeshua

Repeats Instrumental Ad Libs, line 3.

I have a song to sing
I will declare Your name
You are the Great I Am
Lord of All
Yeshua

Repeats lines 1-5.

[Bridge 2]

You’re my King

Essentially repeats Chorus, line 4.

You’re my King

Repeats line 1.

My everything

Christ is Contemporary Worship’s most prized possession (Philippians 3:8-10).

You’re my King

Repeats line 1.

I live for You only

See Verse 2, lines 1 and 2.

You’re my King
My everything
You’re my King
I live for You only

Repeats lines 2-5.

[Verse 3]

Worthy is the King of Kings

He is both worthy of Contemporary Worship’s praise (1 Chronicles 16:25, 2 Samuel 22:4, Psalm 96:4-5, Psalm 145:3, and Revelation 4:11) and possesses the title “King of kings” (1 Timothy 6:13-16, Revelation 17:14, and Revelation 19:11-16).

Yeshua, the Lamb of God

That is, the slain Lamb (Isaiah 53:7, John 1:29, John 1:36, Acts 8:32, 1 Peter 1:19, Revelation 5:6-8, Revelation 5:12-13, Revelation 6:1, Revelation 7:9-17, Revelation 12:11, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 14:1-10, Revelation 15:3, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:7-9, and Revelation 21:9).

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Unbelievers will likely recognize words like “sin”, “Yeshua” and phrases such as “King of kings” and “Lamb of God”, leading them to an easy Christian interpretation.  This song’s language is mostly everyday with a smattering of Christianese terminology.  Those who don’t yet know Jesus will likely conclude that Contemporary Worship praises Jesus because He reigns over everything and saved them from their sins, with the word “sin” referencing deadness.  This makes it more difficult for unbelievers to define “sin” as mere mistakes, the standard understanding of those who aren’t believers.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Jesus as worthy of adoration and praise because He liberates the sin-stained and rules the universe.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Contemporary Worship’s Broken Chains is great.  It calls Christians to remember why we worship Jesus, chiefly, because He is our King who rescues us from eternal damnation, freeing us to fully devote ourselves to Him in total abandon of worldly treasures.  These bring glory to the Son of God.  Unbelievers should easily interpret similarly.

I highly recommend this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Broken Chains (listen to the song)

Artist: Contemporary Worship

Album: N/A

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2023

Duration: 9:29

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*Copyright © 2022 Contemporary Church Records LLC.  All rights reserved.  Used with permission.