Elevation worship – Yours (Glory and Praise)

Elevation Worship has been busy lately with their latest release: Paradoxology.  I am assuming that this is the study of paradoxes?  Maybe not.

This will be my fourth review of an Elevation Worship song.  Do It Again and  O Come to the Altar are Berean Test fan favorites, both receiving a favorable score.  Here Again received far less attention, with an average score of 7.5/10.

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?

Despite the onslaught of words, the message is surprisingly simple: Jesus alone (that is, God alone) is worthy of praise, with all creation praising and bowing their knees to Him.  He will reign forever.

Side Note: There is significant repetition between the Chorus and the Bridge, with four choral repeats and six within the bridge by itself.

Score: 10/10

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

All lyrics are in alignment with the Word of God.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

It all revolves
Around Your throne

The identity of “Your” is not clarified until the Bridge.  It is Lamb of God, or Jesus.

Who can know Your glory?

According to Habakkuk 2:14, the answer is the earth, which contextually refers to God-fearing people; However, this statement is offered under the same vein as Isaiah 40:13, Romans 11:34, and 1 Corinthians 2:11, this is meant as fully understanding God’s glory.  To that end, I would agree that this usage agrees with Scripture.  We cannot fully fathom it.

So high above
Yet slain for us
You alone are worthy

Summarizes Philippians 2:5-11.  The last statement specifically does not mean entirely what it says in this context.  It means that God alone is worthy, which would also include the Father and Holy Spirit.

Why is Christ worthy?  He paid the penalty for our sins (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).  What is He worthy of?  Jesus is worthy of…

[Chorus]

And the praise is Yours
And the praise is Yours
You’re the One we bow before

…praise (1 Chronicles 16:25, 2 Samuel 22:4, Psalm 96:4-5, Psalm 145:3, and Revelation 4:11).

Reigning over us
As we lift You up
You will reign forevermore!

This is true because God is sovereign over all creation (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).

[Verse 2]

The One who was
And is to come
God of every moment

Refers to Christ’s existence that transcends time (Revelation 1:8).

Forever crowned
Exalted now
You alone are holy!

See commentary in Chorus, lines 3-6.

[Interlude]

Reign forevermore
We lift You up…

Essentially repeats Chorus, lines 4-6.

[Bridge]

Glory and praise
Power and strength
Worthy is the Lamb of God
Hallelujah

References the choral assembly described in Revelation 5:13, all creation will praise God.

[Outro]

Hallelujah
Worthy is the Lamb of God
Hallelujah!!!…

Repeats the last two lines of Bridge.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Assuming that unbelievers do not run away (or play with their phones) during Elevation Worship’s repetitious onslaught, they should easily identify this as a Christian song, with God as the centerpiece, worthy of praise.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Christ.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Elevation Worship’s Yours (Glory and Praise) is a simple biblical message of worship.  Though it does overstay its welcome, it uses language easy for unbelievers to understand and demonstrates God’s worthiness of our adoration, glorifying God.

In terms of corporate worship, it depends on the congregation.  If they are gluttons for filler, this might be a good candidate.  However, if they are anything like me, perhaps a different song would be more advisable.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Yours (Glory and Praise) (listen to the song)

Artist: Elevation Worship

Album: There Is A Cloud

Genre: Rock

Release Year: 2017

Duration: 7:30

Agree?  Disagree?  Don’t be shy or have a cow!  Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.

*Music by Elevation Worship Publishing (BMI) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

09/14/2021 – Per Artist Theology announcement, I expanded the red text to encourage others to study Elevation Worship’s theology.

03/24/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.  I moved my commentary to a side note and increased section 1’s score.  This raised the overall score from 9.5/10 to 10/10.

03/27/2020 – Upon further reflection and prayer, I decided that repetition does not impact an unbeliever’s interpretation or the lyrics’ inherent glorification of God. Therefore, I changed my score in sections 3 and 4, raising this review from 8.5/10 to 9.5/10.

02/21/2020 – The original article identified Hillsong as the author in section 3.  It now says “Elevation Worship”.  Thank you Val for finding this error!