Hillsong Worship – Crowns

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?

Hillsong inquires, albeit rhetorically, why they should gain from Christ’s sacrifice. Yet, they are grateful for His work; their most prized possession Jesus, both now and within eternity post-death. Nothing else matters, including the cost incurred to follow Him.

Score: 10/10

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

All the lyrics are Biblically inspired.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

There is a hill I cherish
Where stood a precious tree
The emblem of Salvation
The gift of Calvary

Also known as Golgotha or “the skull”, Calvary is where Jesus was crucified (Matthew 27:33, Mark 15:22, and John 19:17). The English name “Calvary” derives from the Vulgate Latin “Calvariae”, which means “skullcap”.

How is it I should profit?
While He is crucified

A rhetorical question with an obvious answer: Because He loves us (John 3:16, Romans 5:6-8, and 1 John 4:9-10).

Yet as His life was taken
So I was granted mine

Describes the Great Exchange (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24).

[Chorus]

My wealth is in the cross
There’s nothing more I want
Than just to know His love
My heart is set on Christ
And I will count all else as loss
The greatest of my crowns
Mean nothing to me now

Hillsong fixes their eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) who is more important treasure than anything else (Philippians 3:8-10).  Part of Philippians 3:8 is quoted here.  Also, see Matthew 13:45-46.

For I counted up the cost

As commanded by Jesus in Luke 14:25-33.

And all my wealth is in the cross

Essentially repeats line 1.

[Verse 2]

I will not boast in riches
I have no pride in gold

As stated in Jeremiah 9:23.

But I will boast in Jesus
And in His Name alone

Stated in Jeremiah 9:24, which is quoted in 1 Corinthians 1:31 and 2 Corinthians 10:17. Paul says this more explicitly in Galatians 6:14 about the cross.

[Verse 3]

And when I stand in glory
My crowns before the Lord

Hillsong follows the example of the 24 elders, by laying their crowns before His throne (Revelation 4:10-11).

Let this be my confession
My wealth is in the cross

It is a confession that repeats Chorus, line 1.

[Outro]

Yes all my wealth is in the cross
My wealth is in the cross
Yes all my wealth is in the cross

Repeats/essentially repeats Chorus, line 1.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Unbelievers will see terms like “Calvary”, “salvation”, “crucified”, “Christ”, and “Jesus”, alongside Hillsong’s intermixing with such terms with everyday language, to easily conclude that Christians praise Jesus for His death on the cross.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Jesus that Hillsong boasts in nothing but Jesus and Christ crucified.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Hillsong Worship’s Crowns is glorious.  It proclaims Jesus to the masses, that His death gives us life; those who receive Him will receive riches that are far better an more abundant than worldly possessions.  Nothing else will do.  These glorify Jesus.  Unbelievers will easily conclude similarly.

I highly recommend this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Crowns (listen to the song)

Artist: Hillsong Worship

Album: let there be light.

Genre: Hymn

Release Year: 2016

Duration: 4:58

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*Copyright © 2016 Hillsong Music Publishing (APRA) (adm. in the US and Canada at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.