Hillsong Worship (Feat. Benjamin Hastings) – That’s the Power

It’s difficult to imagine readers who examine my Berean Test reviews aren’t aware of Hillsong.  To that one person whose lived under a rock for the past two to three decades, Hillsong is an Australian megachurch whose global reach cannot be ignored.  They are a mainstay in modern Christian music, with a massive discography to boot.

Hillsong occasionally receives 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.

Side Note: For this review, I’ll examine the studio version.

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?

There is power in the name of Jesus to:

• Move mountains
• Parts waters
• Wins fights
• Unhinges shackles
• Breaks strongholds
• Resurrect from the dead
• Empower the afraid to become courageous

The source of His power is the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus performed His miracles.

Some new and lay Christians may see Chorus’ “Just a mention makes a way” as guaranteed affirmative prayer by invoking Jesus’ name.  This is addressed in Bridge with its statement, “And You will do what You said”, pointing us to God’s will as the final authority that answers prayers.  However, the connection is subtle and easy to miss.  It took me at least three readings before I saw Hillsong’s explanation.

Score: 9/10

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

This song completely lines up with God’s inspired Word, including the potential issue with Chorus, line 2, addressed in the Bridge.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

There’s a name that levels mountains
And carves out highways through the sea

That is, in the authority and power of the name of God, mountains fall (Matthew 17:20, Matthew 21:21, and Mark 11:23), and seas are split (Exodus 14:21 and Joshua 4:23).  Also, see Joshua 2:10, Nehemiah 9:11, Psalm 74:13, Psalm 77:19, Psalm 78:13, Psalm 136:13, Isaiah 43:16, and Nahum 1:4.

And I’ve seen its power unravel battles
Right in front of me (Yeah)

Hillsong has personally seen God’s power unravel battles.

Oh, there’s a faith that stands defiant
Sends Goliath to his knees

That is, the same faith that David had to defeat Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1-51) is available to us (Romans 10:17).

I’ve seen His praise unravel shackles
Right off my feet

Hillsong has also personally seen unraveled shackles from praising Him.

[Chorus]

That’s the power of Your name
Just a mention makes a way
Giants fall and strongholds break, and there is healing
And that’s the power that I claim

Though I initially thought that this expressed a “cosmic slot machine”, where invoking Jesus’ name is the “coin” that operates it, Bridge, line 5 addresses this concern.

The “make a way” language comes from Isaiah 43:16-19.  Though the context is about God rescuing Israel from Babylon and is connected with the “something new” that, according to commentators, is about the promised Messiah who would save us from the consequences of our sins, we must also consider Biblical reasons why God may not answer our prayers.

It’s the same that rolled the grave
And there’s no power like the mighty name of Jesus

The Holy Spirit is the source of power that rose Jesus from the dead, which lives inside us (Romans 8:11).  It’s the same power with which Jesus performed His miracles (Matthew 12:24-32).  Thus, power in the name of Jesus is from the Holy Spirit.

[Post-Chorus]

Yeah!

Yes.

[Verse 2]

There’s a hope that calls out courage
In the furnace unafraid

References Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in Daniel 3:1-27, who courageously stood up to King Nebuchadnezzar and refused to worship his idol.  In the same way, we place our hope in God to help us become brave.

The kind of daring expectation
That every prayer I make is on an empty grave

Our prayers are to Jesus, the living God who rose from the dead (Matthew 28:1-20, Mark 16:1-20, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29, Acts 1:3, Acts 3:15, Acts 4:33, and 1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

[Bridge]

I see You taking ground
I see You press ahead
Your power is dangerous to the enemy’s camp
You still do miracles

Combines statements that summarize Verse 1 and 2, alongside Jesus destroying the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).

And You will do what You said

All acts in the name of Jesus must be according to the Father’s will (John 14:13).

For You’re the same God now as You’ve always been, hey

God does not change (Numbers 23:19, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, and James 1:17).

Your Spirit breaking out

See commentary on Chorus, lines 5 and 6.

Your kingdom moving in

That is, through us receiving the Gospel of the Kingdom of God that Jesus preached (Matthew 4:23, Matthew 9:35, Matthew 24:14, Mark 1:14-15, Luke 4:43, and Luke 16:16) through repentance and faith ().

Your victory claims the ground that the enemy had (Yes, it did, yes, it did)

See commentary on lines 1-4.

You still do miracles
And You will do what You said
For You’re the same God now as You’ve always been

Repeats lines 4-6.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Those who do not yet know Jesus will conclude that miracles occur in the name of Jesus.  We know it’s Jesus because Hillsong explicitly states it.  However, I am concerned that they may incorrectly interpret “Just a mention makes a way” without its connection to the Father’s will.  As I said in section 1, it’s not easy to find in Hillsong’s lyrics, requiring a trained eye to avoid the “cosmic slot machine” conclusion from these song lyrics.

Score: 8/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God that we ask things in Jesus’ name according to the Father’s will, observing His acts that bring people closer to Christ.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Hillsong Worship’s That’s the Power is a Biblical song when properly understood.  It speaks of answered prayers in Jesus’ name and the power of the Holy Spirit that rose Him from the dead.  All prayers answered affirmatively, including Hillsong’s list of examples, are according to His desires, bringing Him glory.  However, unbelievers, recent converts, and lay Christians may miss Hillsong’s explanation of “Just a mention makes a way”, interpreting it as a “cosmic slot machine” rather than prayer based on God’s will.

If a worship leader could make this connection more explicit in a pre-worship speech/explanation, it is appropriate for corporate worship.

Final Score: 9.5/10

Artist Info

Track: That’s the Power (Studio) (listen to the song)

Artist: Hillsong Worship (Feat. Benjamin Hastings)

Album: These Same Skies (Studio)

Genre: Pop

Release Year: 2022

Duration: 4:02

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

*Copyright © 2021 Hillsong MP Songs (BMI) (adm. in the US and Canada at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.