Hillsong Worship (Feat. Cody Carnes & Reuben Morgan) – Hope of the Ages

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.

Side Note: I am reviewing the studio version of this song.

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?

This song speaks of many topics:

Gospel of Jesus:

• Hope of mankind
• Illuminates
• Unbroken

Church of Jesus:

• Unstoppable
• Shining city on a hill
• Worships Him
• Believes Him
• Trusts Him

Jesus:

• Died and rose again
• Will return triumphantly
• Reigns forever
• Liberates

Score: 10/10

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

This song is Biblical.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

The gospel of Jesus
It’s the hope of the ages

As summarized in Colossians 1:25-29.

Burning brighter and brighter

Christ is light (John 1:1-8, John 8:12, and Ephesians 5:14).

And standing forever

He is eternal (John 8:58, Colossians 1:13-17, and Hebrews 13:8).

The church He is building
Nothing can stop it

That is, the gates of hell (Matthew 16:18).  Also, see Isaiah 54:17.

It’s a city that’s shining
A light in the darkness

As stated in Matthew 5:14.

Nothing can stop it

Repeats line 6.

[Chorus]

Though Christ was dead
Now surely He’s risen

Describes the death (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), burial (Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-46, Luke 23:50-56, and John 19:38-42), and resurrection of Jesus (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).

Yeah, He’s coming back again

That is, the second coming of Christ (Matthew 24:43, Acts 1:9-11, 1 Corinthians 11:26, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 16:15, and Revelation 19:11-16).

And Christ will reign in triumph forever

His rule will have no end (Exodus 15:18, Psalm 10:16, Psalm 29:10, Psalm 145:13, Psalm 146:10, Lamentations 5:19, Daniel 4:3, Daniel 6:26, Micah 4:7, 1 Timothy 6:16, 1 Peter 5:11, and Revelation 11:15).

Yeah, all praise belongs to Him
Yeah, all praise belongs to Jesus

Jesus is worshipped (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).  Also, yes.

Side Note: Other iterations of Chorus contain ad-libs that aren’t worth commenting on.

[Verse 2]

His Word is the answer
For all generations

See Verse 1, lines 1 and 2.

It will never be tainted
It will never be brokеn

Probably borrowing from John 10:35, that the Scriptures can never be broken.

This is our confession
This is our conviction
We beliеve what is written
We believe what You’ve spoken

Hillsong believes it.

[Bridge]

Sing hallelujah

The word ‘Hallelujah” is a compound Hebrew phrase, with “hallelu” meaning “a joyous praise in song” and “jah” or “yah”, which refers to the Tetragrammaton YHWH. Put together, we are singing “we joyfully praise God in song” when we use this word.

Christ is our redeemer

As stated in John 3:16, Romans 5:6-8, 1 Corinthians 6:20, Hebrews 5:9, Hebrews 9:28, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:9, and 1 John 2:2.

Shout hallelujah

See line 1.

Jesus holds our future

That is, Hillsong trusts in Him (See Verse 2, lines 7 and 8).

Oh, we sing hallelujah (We’ve got a reason to sing)
Christ is our redeemer (He’s redeemed, we’re saved, we’re free)
Shout hallelujah
Jesus holds our future (He holds it all)

Essentially repeats lines 1-4.

[Outro]

Oh, we sing hallelujah
Christ is our redeemer
Shout hallelujah
Jesus holds our future

Essentially repeats Bridge, lines 1-4.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

The song’s opening two lines clarify that this song is about the Gospel of Jesus, pegging it as a Christian song.  Unbelievers will think that Christians believe, trust, and worship Jesus, our Redeemer.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Jesus.  He is alive, worthy of worship, eternally King, saves us from utter destruction, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Hillsong Worship’s Hope of the Ages is full of praise.  It is about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the hope of mankind.  It calls Christians to worship Him, our eternal Ruler and King.  It reminds us that He died for us and rose again.  He will come back for His bride.  The Scriptures are clear on this and shall never be broken.  These points bring Him glory.  Those who aren’t yet Christians should easily understand this one.

I highly recommend this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Hope of the Ages (listen to the song)

Artist: Hillsong Worship (Feat. Cody Carnes & Reuben Morgan)

Album: These Same Skies (Studio)

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2022

Duration: 5:11

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) / Writers Roof Publishing (BMI) Capitol CMG Paragon (BMI) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.