Elevation Worship – Only King Forever

Elevation Worship is a church-led band that was created in 2007.  They join Bethel Music and Hillsong as the “big three” that has the biggest reach in modern Christian music.  They released many albums and EP’s.

They also won nine awards, including two Billboard for Top Christian Artist (2021) and Top Christian Song (Graves into Gardens, 2021), and two GMA Dove awards for Spanish Language Album of the Year (Aleluya (En La Tierra), 2020) and Worship Recorded Song of the Year (The Blessing (Live), 2020).

Also, check out my other Elevation Worship reviews. 

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.  I strongly encourage you to consider the potential blessings and dangers of this artist‘s theology by visiting Resources.

1. What message does the song communicate?

Christ is:

• Eternally foundational as compared to other nations that are gone
• Unique
• Lives forever
• Ruler whose throne is founded by uprightness and equity
• Triumphant, that is, over death
• Wise

Christians:

• Trust Him
• Praise Him

Score: 10/10

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

It does.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

Our God, a firm foundation
Our rock, the only solid ground

As described in Deuteronomy 32:4, 1 Samuel 2:2, 2 Samuel 22:47, Psalm 18:31, Psalm 28:1, Psalm 62:2, Psalm 94:22, Psalm 118:22, Isaiah 28:16, Matthew 7:24-27, Matthew 21:42, Acts 4:11, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, Ephesians 2:20, 2 Timothy 2:19, and 1 Peter 2:6.

As nations rise and fall
Kingdoms once strong now shaken

Summarized eloquently in Job 12:23.

But we trust forever in Your name
The name of Jesus
We trust the name of Jesus

Elevation is firm in their faith (1 Corinthians 16:13, 2 Corinthians 1:24, Ephesians 6:11, Philippians 1:27, Philippians 4:1, Colossians 1:23, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Hebrews 3:6, Hebrews 3:14, Hebrews 4:14, Hebrews 6:11, Hebrews 10:23, and 1 Peter 5:9).

[Chorus]

You are the only King forever

Jesus is the Eternal King (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).

Almighty God we lift You higher

Elevation worships Jesus (Matthew 2:11, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 21:9, Matthew 28:8-9, Matthew 28:16-17, Luke 24:50-53, John 12:13, and John 20:28).

You are the only King forever

Repeats line 1.

Forevermore, You are victorious

That is, over the grave (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).  We know this because Jesus is alive and the dead cannot hear our praises.

You are the only King forever
Almighty God we lift You higher
You are the only King forever
Forevermore, You are victorious

Repeats lines 1-4.

[Verse 2]

Unmatched in all Your wisdom

God is wise (Job 12:13, Proverbs 3:19, Isaiah 55:9, and Romans 16:27).

In love and justice You will reign

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne (Psalm 89:14).

And every knee will bow

They will confess Jesus as Lord (Isaiah 45:43, Romans 14:11, and Philippians 2:10-11).

We bring our expectations
Our hope is anchored in Your name
The name of Jesus
We trust the name of Jesus

Repeats/essentially repeats Verse 1, lines 5-7.

[Bridge]

We lift our banner high
We lift the name of Jesus

See Chorus, line 2.

From age to age you reign
Your kingdom has no end

See Chorus, line 2.

We lift our banner high
We lift the name of Jesus
From age to age you reign
Your kingdom has no end

Repeats lines 1-4.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

They will think Christians are worshipping Jesus as their forever King whose kingdom will not end.  Verse 1 connects God with Jesus explicitly.  The song is written in plain English and, with one small exception, is easy to comprehend.

Some people may not understand in what sense Jesus was victorious.  Elevation hadn’t explained it though perhaps assuming that folks would just “get it”.

Score: 9/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Jesus as the eternal reigning King whose kingdom will not end, which is founded on mercy and justice.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Elevation Worship’s Only King Forever is Biblical.  It speaks of Jesus’ kingdom and rulership, that He and His Kingdom will have no end.  Victorious over, well Elevation doesn’t say but we Christians all think it’s death, we praise and worship Him amid unwavering faith.  These points bring Him glory.  Aside from the occasional unbeliever who doesn’t know what this “victory” is about, they should easily interpret similarly.

This song is suitable for corporate worship.

Final Score: 9.5/10

Artist Info

Track: Only King Forever (listen to the song)

Artist: Elevation Worship

Album: Only King Forever

Genre: Rock

Release Year: 2014

Duration: 4:58

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*Copyright © 2014 Be Essential Songs (BMI) / Elevation Worship Publishing (BMI) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.