Photo by Louie Martinez
Deluge is a relatively new band, releasing their first album Bethany Presents Deluge [Live] in 2008, Unshakable in 2010, and Swell in 2012. Insofar as I know, they have no other albums or any awards to mention before they rebranded themselves as Bethany Worship. With such a scarcity of information to glean, not much else can be said about the band.
With that massively lengthy introduction, let us review Open Up the Sky!
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 thrust of Deluge’s message rests upon two separate prayers, one offered to the Father and another to Jesus. They ask for their Presence to surround them, expressing dissatisfaction with earthly, fleshy pursuits in favor of God’s glory. As adopted sons and daughters, all of us can boldly approach God’s throne, to make our petitions according to His will ( 1 John 5:14-15).
Score: 10/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
All lyrics are Biblically sound.
Lyrics posted with permission*.
Since the lyrics do not have verse/chorus/bridge/etc. designations, I will assign a number for each stanza.
[Stanza 1]
Our beloved Father
Please come down and meet us
We are waiting on Your touch
Open up the heavens
Shower down Your presence
Deluge offers a prayer to God the Father for His Presence to show up. From the Scriptures, we know that the Father has been revealed through the Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:9). Therefore, we can experience the Father’s Presence through Jesus.
We respond to Your great love
As demonstrated on the cross (see Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 1:29, John 3:16, 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).
We won’t be satisfied with anything ordinary
We won’t be satisfied at all
The longing of the human heart cannot be satisfied with itself. It is deceitful and wicked above all other things (Jeremiah 17:9); However, in God, we can find deep and lasting satisfaction (see Psalm 16:11, Psalm 22:26, Psalm 37:4, Matthew 6:33, Matthew 11:28-30, Philippians 4:11-13, and Philippians 4:19).
[Stanza 2]
Open up the sky
Fall down like rain
See Stanza 1, lines 1 and 2.
We don’t want blessings
We want you
Although God gives us blessings, Deluge’s heart’s desire is for God (see commentary on Stanza 1, lines 7 and 8).
Open up the sky
Fall down like fire
See Stanza 1, lines 1 and 2.
We don’t want anything but you
See Stanza 1, lines 7 and 8.
[Stanza 3]
Our beloved Jesus
We just want to see You
Similar to Deluge’s prayer offered in Stanza 1, lines 1 and 2, they express their desire to see Jesus as He is.
In the glory of Your light
As expressed to Jesus’ closest disciples in Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:1-8, and Luke 9:28-36, the glory of Christ shines like the sun, with pure white garments.
Earthly things don’t matter
They just fade and shatter
The entire book of Ecclesiastes is dedicated to this topic, describing several earthly pursuits that are ultimately vain that are “under the sun”, or apart from God. This includes money, fame, women, property, food, power, wisdom, and knowledge.
When were touched by love divine
This is true because Christ alters our desires to conform to His (see Stanza 1, lines 7 and 8).
[Stanza 4]
Here we go lets go to the throne
The place that we belong
Right into His arms
As adopted sons and daughters, we have a God-given right to approach His throne of grace (see John 1:12-13, John 14:18, Romans 8:14-17, Romans 8:23, Romans 9:1-8, Galatians 3:26, Galatians 4:5-7, Ephesians 1:3-14, Ephesians 2:11-22, Hebrews 9:15, and 1 John 3:1-3).
Score: 10/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
Aside from experiencing God’s presence, there is nothing in these lyrics that is easily misunderstood by those who do not follow Jesus. Deluge is clear in their message, using very little “churchy” lingo to express their desire to see the Father and Jesus.
Score: 10/10
4. What does this song glorify?
It is obvious that Deluge glorifies God throughout these lyrics.
Score: 10/10
Closing Comments
Deluge’s Open Up the Sky is a simple message about their hunger for God’s presence, easily understood by both believers and unbelievers. It glorifies God throughout each stanza, inviting us to experience God personally.
It’s passable as worship in the corporate sense, though perhaps better suited for seeker sensitive churches.
Final Score: 10/10
Artist Info
Track: Open Up the Sky (listen to the song)
Artist: Deluge
Album: Bethany Presents Deluge (Live)
Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)
Release Year: 2008
Duration: 8:13
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
Copyright © 2008 Integrity’s Praise! Music (BMI) Deluge Music (NS) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Updates:
03/24/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement. I increased section 1’s, score, raising its overall score from 9.5/10 to 10/10.
Comments
racefangurl
This is the first time I’ve found a seeker sensitive only song here. All the other songs I’ve found on this blog that are suitable for worship are universal or non seeker sensitive only.