Hillsong UNITED – Relentless

Hillsong Church is a megachurch founded in 1983 in Baulkham Hills, New South Wales, Australia.  It was formerly led by Hillsong Founder Brian Houston.  Hillsong possesses a massive discography, spanning across four music ministries.  These include Hillsong UNITED, Hillsong Worship, Hillsong Young & Free, and Hillsong Kids.

Hillsong has won several awards within their Hillsong UNITED and Hillsong Worship artist groups.  As of this writing, there are no awards for Hillsong Young & Free or Hillsong Kids.

Also, check out my entire list of Hillsong reviews and Christmas songs, Seasons and Prince of Heaven.

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?

“You” provides:

• Rescue
• Eternal love
• A lift
• Grace
• Light
• Freedom from enslavement

Who is “You”?  It could be the Christian God, but it could also be the god of Islam, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, or any other deity who has unending love, offers salvation, and gives grace.  However, Bridge tells us that “You gave Your own life for all to see”, pointing us to Jesus and away from other possibilities.  In response, we follow His light, that is, we obey Him.

Side Note: To those annoyed by massive repetition, the song ends with Chorus 2, repeats the same four lines four times in a row, with half of it the same line.  This is followed by Outro, which repeats four times the halved Chorus 2 line.

Score: 10/10

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

The whole thing aligns with Scripture.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

Salvation sounds a new beginning
As distant hearts begin believing

Those who are saved are new creatures, where the old has passed and a new life begins (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Redemption’s bid is unrelenting
Your love goes on

God does not stop loving us (1 Chronicles 16:34, 2 Chronicles 5:13, 2 Chronicles 20:21, Psalm 89:2, Psalm 100:5, Psalm 106:1, Psalm 107:1, Psalm 117:1-2, Psalm 118:1-29, and Psalm 136:1-26, Lamentations 3:22-23, and Romans 8:38-39).

Your love goes on

Repeats line 4.

[Pre-Chorus]

You carry us, carry us
When the world gives way

God carries His people, even if we have sinned against Him (Deuteronomy 1:31, Deuteronomy 32:11, Isaiah 40:11, Isaiah 46:4, and Isaiah 63:9).

You cover us, cover us
With Your endless grace

We receive God’s undeserved favor (Luke 18:9-14, Acts 13:39, Romans 3:20-30, Romans 4:1-7, Romans 8:3, Romans 9:16, Romans 9:31-32, Romans 11:6, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 2:21, Galatians 3:10-12, Galatians 3:21, Galatians 5:2-4, Ephesians 2:8-9, Philippians 3:3-9, 2 Timothy 1:9, Hebrews 6:1-2, and James 2:10-11).

[Chorus 1]

Your love is relentless

See Verse 1, lines 3 and 4.

Your love is relentless
Your love is relentless
Your love is relentless

Repeats line 1.

[Verse 2]

The time is up for chasing shadows
You gave the world a light to follow
A hope that shines beyond tomorrow

Hillsong is calling us to forsake darkness and enter God’s light (John 3:21).

Your love goes on
Your love goes on

Repeats Verse 1, line 4.

[Bridge]

Tearing through the veil of darkness

God’s light drives out darkness (Psalm 107:10-16, Luke 1:79, John 1:1-13, John 12:46, Ephesians 5:8, Colossians 1:13, and 1 Peter 2:9).

Breaking every chain, You set us free

God breaks the bondage of sin (Psalm 116:16, Mark 5:8, Romans 6:20, and Galatians 5:1) and sets the captives free (Isaiah 61:1 and Luke 4:18).

Fighting for the furthest heart

That is, the lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7).

You gave Your own life for all to see

References Jesus’ death on the cross (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 9:15-26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9).

Tearing through the veil of darkness
Breaking every chain, You set us free
Fighting for the furthest heart
You gave Your life

Repeats lines 1-4.

[Chorus 2]

Your love is relentless

Repeats Chorus 1, line 1.

You carry us, carry us

Repeats Pre-Chorus, line 1.

Your love is relentless

Repeats Chorus 1, line 1.

You cover us, cover us

Repeats Pre-Chorus, line 3.

Your love is relentless
You carry us, carry us
Your love is relentless
You cover us, cover us
Your love is relentless
You carry us, carry us
Your love is relentless
You cover us, cover us
Your love is relentless
You carry us, carry us
Your love is relentless
You cover us, cover us
Your love is relentless

Repeats lines 1-4.

[Outro]

Your love is relentless
Your love is relentless
Your love is relentless
Your love is relentless…

Repeats Chorus 1.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

How would an unbeliever interpret “You”?  This song contains references to salvation, endless grace, breaking chains, and being set free.  This, alongside the word “us” that present throughout the song, makes it difficult to support the notion that this song is about a human lover.  What about a god or gods?  The statement “You gave your own life” is the only one recorded here that will lead unbelievers to think it’s Christian, as opposed to another deity.  This shows up twice, which makes it harder to miss.

This song is written in mostly everyday language.  Those outside Christianity should be able to piece this together on their own, concluding that Jesus offers redemption through His death, He is for Christians and helps them break chains that plague their lives, and offers them a new beginning for anyone who wants it.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Christ as the One who liberates us from our former lives of darkness, shame, and bondage through His death.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Hillsong UNITED’s Relentless is aptly titled.  It describes Jesus’ never-ending pursuit of us, people who are unworthy, enslaved, and children of darkness who have been transplanted away from our former lives of temptation and lawbreaking into freedom with Him.  It says that we follow His light, which points to obedience as our call to action.  These glorify Him.  Unbelievers can put this together with relatively little difficulty.

This song is appropriate for corporate worship, though perhaps we can do without Chorus 2.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Relentless (listen to the song)

Artist: Hillsong UNITED

Album: Zion

Genre: Pop

Release Year: 2013

Duration: 5:15

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*Copyright © 2013 Hillsong Music Publishing (APRA) (adm. in the US and Canada at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.