Hillsong Worship – I Surrender

Juggernaut Hillsong continues to compete for the title of #1 producer of Christian music.  Hits such as Man of Sorrows, Who You Say I Am, and King of Kings continues to be sung in congregations all over the world.

Their music ministry consists of four separate groups: Hillsong United, Hillsong Worship, Hillsong Young & Free, and Hillsong Kids and discography is too large to count.

Also, check out my entire list of Hillsong reviews and Christmas song, Prince of Heaven.  I Surrender is my 24th review of this artist.

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 expresses distress and anguish without God.  They are spiritually hungry and thirsty for Him.  As they surrender to God’s will, bowing their knees before Him, they ask to know God relationally.  He can do whatever He wants with them.

Score: 10/10

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

The entire song aligns with God’s inspired Word.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

Here I am
Down on my knees again
Surrendering all

Prostration is a physical demonstration of subservience to God, showing that Hillsong surrenders themselves (1 Kings 8:54, 2 Chronicles 6:13, Ezra 9:5, Psalm 95:6, Isaiah 45:23, Daniel 6:10, Luke 22:41, Acts 7:60, Acts 21:5, Ephesians 3:14-19, and Philippians 2:10-11).

Surrendering all

Repeats line 1.

And find me here
Lord as You draw me near

God drew Hillsong to Himself (John 6:44 and John 12:32).

I’m desperate for You

Psalm 42:1 vividly describes this phenomenon to a deer whose thirst is for water.  In the same way, Hillsong is thirsty for God.

I’m desperate for You

Repeats line 7.

I surrender

See Isaiah 64:8, Matthew 10:38, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34-38, Mark 10:28, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27, John 15:1-11, Romans 6:13, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:7-10, and 1 Peter 5:6.

[Verse 2]

Drench my soul

This describes the immersion of the Holy Spirit who lives inside Hillsong (Acts 6:5, Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:16-19, Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 5:18, and 2 Timothy 1:14).  God is the living water that will satiate Hillsong’s longing (Jeremiah 17:13, Zechariah 14:8-9, John 4:7-26, John 7:37-39, Acts 2:1-13, Revelation 6:9-11, Revelation 7:13-17, Revelation 21:6-7, and Revelation 22:1-5 ).

As mercy and grace unfold

Hillsong does not deserve God (Isaiah 64:6, John 15:5, Romans 3:10, 2 Corinthians 3:5, 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Ephesians 2:8), yet, God offers mercy (Genesis 15:6, Exodus 33:19, Psalm 32:1-2, Romans 3:21-24, Romans 4:3-8, Romans 5:1-2, Romans 5:6-8, Romans 5:15-21, Romans 6:14, Romans 8:1-4, Romans 9:14-16, Romans 11:5-6, Galatians 2:21, Galatians 3:6, Galatians 5:4, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:4-9, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, Titus 2:11, 1 Timothy 1:15-16, and James 2:23).

I hunger and thirst

See commentary on line 1 and Verse 1, line 7.

I hunger and thirst

Repeats line 3.

With arms stretched wide
I know You hear my cry
Speak to me now

God promises to hear Hillsong (Proverbs 15:29 and 1 John 5:15).

Speak to me now

Repeats line 7.

[Chorus]

I surrender
I surrender

Repeats Verse 1, line 9.

I want to know You more

Hillsong wants to know God personally, relationally.  Compared to that, everything else is rubbish (Philippians 3:8-10).

I want to know You more

Repeats line 3.

I surrender
I surrender
I want to know You more
I want to know You more

Repeats line 1-4.

[Bridge 1]

Like a rushing wind
Jesus breathe within

Hillsong requests renewed life breathed within them, much like Jesus’ disciples experienced when He breathed onto them the Holy Spirit (John 20:22).

Lord have Your way
Lord have Your way in me!

That is, Hillsong surrenders.  See Verse 1, line 9.

Like a mighty storm
Stir within my soul

Essentially repeats the same idea as lines 1 and 2.

Lord have Your way
Lord have Your way in me!

Repeats lines 3 and 4.

Like a rushing wind
Jesus breathe within
Lord have Your way
Lord have Your way in me!
Like a mighty storm
Stir within my soul
Lord have Your way
Lord have Your way in me!

Repeats lines 1-8.

[Bridge 2]

Like a rushing wind
Jesus breathe within
Lord have Your way
Lord have Your way in me!
Like a mighty storm
Stir within my soul
Lord have Your way
Lord have Your way in me!

Repeats Bridge 1, lines 1-8.

Lord have Your way
Lord have Your way in me!

Repeats Bridge 1, lines 7 and 8.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Unbelievers will catch the gist of Hillsong’s message.  They surrender to God, desiring more of Him.  Though they will likely not understand why Hillsong thirsts for God or how Jesus breathes inside them, Hillsong’s mention of Jesus’ inward breath pegs this song as Christian.

Score: 7/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God, calling for us to find satisfaction for our deepest longings when we surrender to God.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Hillsong Worship’s I Surrender is a wonderful song.  It draws us into a relationship with God, who alone can quench our thirsty souls and fulfill our deepest longings that can’t be found in things, bringing Him glory.  Unbelievers will know it’s Christian and that Christians are God’s servants; However, they cannot understand how God satisfies us without experiencing His love firsthand.  It is my hope that this song stirs within us all a deeper desire to know God personally, relationally.

I highly recommend this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 9.5/10

Artist Info

Track: I Surrender (Live) (listen to the song)

Artist: Hillsong Worship

Album: Cornerstone (Live)

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2012

Duration: 5:46

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

*Copyright © 2012 Hillsong Music Publishing (APRA) (adm. in the US and Canada at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

05/07/2021 – Per Artist Theology announcement, I expanded the red text to encourage others to study Hillsong’s theology.

03/24/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.