Photo by PaweĹ Furman
Sometimes I wonder what goes through the minds of Hillsong founders Brian and Bobbie Houston. They are the heads of one of the largest Christian movements since Billy Graham. They command 46 separate albums across three artists: Hillsong United, Hillsong Worship, and Hillsong Young and Free. An estimated 50 million Christians worship with their music, according to their own fact sheet. They even have their own channel! I don’t always agree with their teachings, but rejoice when people receive the Gospel through them.
Four such individuals requested King of Kings, having been rejected in a previous poll, only to come out on top in Hillsong Poll number three.
I’ve already written eighteen separate Hillsong reviews, so feel free to check them out as you have time. There is a special Christmas edition on the way, so look for that in December!
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 artistâs theology by visiting Resources.
1. What message does the song communicate?
Hillsong strings together a series of truth claims about God and man:
Man
- Apart from the light of God, our life is darkness, dead in sin.
- We praise God for His great love for us, sacrificing Himself for our lawbreaking, redeeming us through His washing blood, and freeing us from our deadness in sin.
- Saints rose from their graves after the death of Christ.
- Holy Spirit entered into Christ followers, starting at Pentecost following the ascension of Christ.
God
- The person of Jesus left the glory and majesty of heaven and came to earth to rescue sinners from their deadness in sin.
- Jesus’ came through the virgin Mary as a physically weak and frail child. This is an incredible act of humility on His part.
- Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant law and Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming Messiah.
- God exists as a trinity and is worthy of praise.
- Christ came to preach about the Heavenly Kingdom.
- Jesus reconciles the dead sinners to Himself, redeeming us from the consequences of our lawbreaking.
- Christ conquered the grave, defeating death and giving man hope of eternal life with Him.
- Jesus is the foundation of the church.
There is also a statement about the angelic rejoining when sinners repent.
Score: 10/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
There is agreement between these lyrics and God’s Inspired Word.
Lyrics posted with permission.*
[Verse 1]
In the darkness we were waiting
Without hope, without light
Those who are dead in sin (Proverbs 21:16, Luke 15:11-24, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:1, Colossians 2:13, and 1 Timothy 5:6) are in darkness, outside the light of God (Proverbs 4:19, John 1:3, John 3:19-21, John 11:10).
Till from heaven You came running
There was mercy in Your eyes
Out first introduction to Christ. He came not to do His own will (John 6:38) but emptied Himself to rescue us (Philippians 2:5-11).
To fulfill the law and prophets
Christ did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). He also fulfilled north of 300 Old Testament prophecies concerning Himself.
To a virgin came the word
References Jesus’ virgin mother, Mary, who will carry the Messiah (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23, and Luke 1:31).
From a throne of endless glory
To a cradle in the dirt
Combines ideas in lines 3, 4, and 6 with the birth of Jesus, as recorded in Isaiah 9:6-7, Matthew 1:25, and Luke 2:7.
[Chorus]
Praise the Father, praise the Son
Praise the Spirit, three in one
Praise the Trinity!
God of glory, Majesty
Many passages of Scripture that speak on the glory of God include Exodus 16:7, Exodus 24:17, Exodus 40:34-35, Leviticus 9:23, 1 Chronicles 29:11, Psalm 3:3, Psalm 8:1, Psalm 19:1-4, Isaiah 6:1-3, Isaiah 40:5, Isaiah 42:8, Isaiah 58:8, Isaiah 60:1, Habakkuk 2:14, John 1:14, John 17:22, Romans 3:23, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Philippians 4:19, Hebrews 1:1-3, Revelation 21:10-14, and Revelation 21:23.
Majesty is a royal word. See next line.
Praise forever to the King of Kings
More praise offered to all members of the Trinity, with an added attribute of King of Kings existing in Deuteronomy 10:17, Psalm 136:3, Daniel 2:47, Matthew 28:18, 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 1:5, and Revelation 19:16.
[Verse 2]
To reveal the kingdom coming
Christ talked to His followers about the Kingdom of Heaven through many parables (Matthew 13:24-52, Matthew 18:21-35, Matthew 20:1-16, Matthew 22:1-14, Matthew 25:1-30, and Mark 4:26-34).
And to reconcile the lost
Yet another reason why Christ came (2 Corinthians 5:18).
To redeem the whole creation
You did not despise the cross
For even in your suffering
You saw to the other side
Knowing this was our salvation
Jesus for our sake you died
The sacrifice of Jesus paid the penalty for our lawbreaking (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, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 9:26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9).
[Bridge]
And the morning that You rose
All of heaven held its breath
Till that stone was moved for good
For the Lamb had conquered death
References the events surrounding the glorious resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20, Acts 1:3, Acts 3:15, Acts 4:33, and 1 Corinthians 15:3-8).
And the dead rose from their tombs
References the spiritually dead who are now alive because of Jesus (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24). It does not reference saints who broke out of their graves in Matthew 27:52-53 because this happened right after Jesus died.
And the angels stood in awe
For the souls of all who’d come
To the Father are restored
Not just in awe, but rejoicing (Luke 15:7 and Luke 15:10).
And the church of Christ was born
Then the Spirit lit the flame
Starting with the first recipients of the Holy Spirit during Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), with Christ as its foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11).
Now this gospel truth of old
Shall not kneel, shall not faint
Christ’s words will never pass away (Matthew 24:35, Mark 13:31, Luke 21:33).
By His blood and in His name
In His freedom I am free
By the blood of Jesus, we are washed clean (Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:22, 1 Peter 1:2, and 1 Peter 1:18-19).
For the love of Jesus Christ
Who has resurrected me
That is, from deadness in sin to life with Him (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24).
[Outro]
Praise forever to the King of Kings
Repeats Chorus, line 4.
Score: 10/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
Much of what I listed in section 1 should be easily understood by an unbeliever. At the very least, they will walk away thinking that it’s a Christian song about God redeeming mankind from their darkness. If they can get that much out of it, then I think we can call this a success for evangelism.
Score: 10/10
4. What does this song glorify?
Christ’s rescue and redemption of sinners and glorious resurrection.
Score: 10/10
Closing Comments
Hillsong’s King of Kings is another great song produced by a popular artist. It focuses on the Gospel message, that Christ came to rescue sinners from their darkness, rising again to defeat death and giving us hope of a new life with Him, bringing Him glory. Hillsong’s message will not be lost on most unbelievers.
I highly recommend this song for worship service.
Final Score: 10/10
Artist Info
Track: King of Kings (listen to the song)
Artist: Hillsong Worship
Album: King of Kings
Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)
Release Year: 2019
Duration:Â 4:25
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
*Copyright Š 2019 Hillsong MP Songs (BMI) (adm. in the US and Canada at CapitolCMGPublishing.com), So Essential Tunes (SESAC) Fellow Ships Music (SESAC) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Updates:
09/11/2023 – In light of Will Tell’s comment, corrected commentary on Bridge, line 5. Scoring remains unchanged.
05/07/2021 – Per Artist Theology announcement, I expanded the red text to encourage others to study Hillsong’s theology.
03/24/2021 â Updated per repetition announcement.
Comments
Colin Rogerson
“King of Kings” starts with what is, in my opinion, some dubious sentiments: “In the darkness we were waiting”, which is misleading. “Waiting” implies a sense of seeking and expectation – but we humans by nature do not wait for, or upon, God for anything. [“There is no one who seeks God” (Rom. 3:11)]. Certainly we were “walking in darkness”, and have now “seen a great light” – but that was a great surprise for those who come to know Christ. [There was “nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him” (Is. 53:2)] The next line “Till from heaven You came running, there was mercy in Your eyes” is trite and emotionalist. The writer seems to have borrowed the sentiments from the Lost Son parable in Luke 15:20, but has failed to appreciate that not everything in a parable is intended to be straight-lifted from an analagy, and made into theology.
It’s clear from these unsatisfactory sentiments of the song-writer that he/she/they should not use purely human values from which to construct a worship song, but rather follow the contours of what Scripture says about us and about God.
Neal Cruco
Colin,
Could you explain what is theologically or Scripturally inaccurate about visualizing God the Father as the father in the parable of the prodigal son? How “not everything in a parable is intended to be straight-lifted from an analogy, and made into theology” and how the writer did not “follow the contours of what Scripture says about us and about God”? This site evaluates song lyrics through the lens of Scripture, but you have not provided a lens that shows the flaws in the song that you describe.
Will Tell
I must respectfully disagree with a 10/10. I’m admit I’m a stickler for biblical accuracy / truth with a much more narrow view of how far worship songs should use artistic license. ” All of heaven held its breath Till that stone was moved for good” is outside my tolerance as it is simply NOT true according to biblical record. That is but one, here are three others (and there’s more):
1. “In the darkness we were waiting – Without hope without light – Till from Heaven You came running” is pre-Christ Israel talk. To say “we” (assuming it’s we the Church) implies we were in darkness and without hope yet Christ has been the hope of the world for some 2000 years. This needs a rephrasing to something like, “In darkness the world had waited”
2. It’s “endured the cross, despising its shame” Heb. 12:2 – not did not “You did not despise the cross”. Also, it was for the joy set before Him, not “You saw to the other side”.
3. Also Verse 3 – the dead rose… wait for it, on the DAY Jesus was crucified, not on the day of His resurrection as implied in the verse. This is a basic point of following the text of Matthew 27 which Hillsong couldn’t be bothered to do.
The song is catchy, the chorus of the Trinity very well done, but I can’t overlook such untrue statements about the Lord.
I’ll pass on this one… many other more biblical songs that glorify God.
~Will Tell
Vince Wright
Will Tell,
Thank you for your comments!
You are free to pass on this song after reading what I have to say, but I’d like to offer a defense to justify my 10/10 rating. I would appreciate your thoughts.
1. The Old Testament Hebrews also had light and hope as well. It was through obedience of the law (see and Psalm 119:105 and Psalm 119:116). However, the problem is that they could not keep the law. The law became a curse instead of their hope and light (Galatians 3:10-12). Of course, you and I already know these things, and that Christ came to redeem Israel, as well as the Gentiles. On this point, I agree with you that this is “pre-Christ Israel talk”. We as the collective human race were without hope and light until Jesus came to rescue ue. It’s just that the Old Testament Israelites looked forward to the coming Messiah, and we look back after He came.
2. According to Merriam-Webster at https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/despise, despise means,
a) To look down on with disrespect or aversion.
b) To regard as negligible, worthless, or distasteful
The word “not” implies negation. That is, Jesus did not look down on the cross with disrespect or aversion and He did not regard the cross as regard as negligible, worthless, or distasteful. You would be hard-pressed to find Scripture that supports that Jesus “looked down on the cross with disrespect or aversion” or “regarded the cross as negligible, worthless, or distasteful”. Yes, He didn’t enjoy the experience, but that is a weak rejoinder to my argument.
3. Ok you have a point here. I learned something today! I even stated this in my commentary. However, I also just noticed that right after that, it says “For the souls of all who’d come to the Father are restored”. This is talking about something entirely different than the saints coming up out of their graves. It references the spiritually dead who are now alive because of Jesus. See Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24. At the very least, I’ll need to update my review to reflect this new direction.
-Vince Wright
Steve Barhydt
To both Dennis and Catherine,
In addition to Vince’s answers, I would add a couple of thoughts…
1) According to the ‘Oxford Dictionary” the phrase “come running” means “be eager to do what someone wants”
This ‘eagerness” can come from several sources not the least of which are…
A) Fear / Intimidation – ‘He snaps his fingers and she comes running”
B) Friendship / Love – “If you ever need anything, give me a call and I’ll come running”
God, of course, does nothing out of fear, but He does do a whole lot out of love.
A month or so ago, my daughter had a flat tire at 5 AM on a dark county road on her way to work. You can be sure that “I came running” to help her out.
Out of obligation; no way.
Out of fear that she would be mad at me; again, no way.
OUT OF LOVE!!! She was in a situation that she did not know how to get herself out of and, quite frankly, being a female on a road out in the boonies, a somewhat dangerous place.
Does that sound familiar? I once, many years ago, found myself in a situation that I did not know how to get out of (I was a sinner) and was in a dangerous place (on my way to hell!). Jesus came to me there, willingly and eagerly, to help me.
2) The story of the Prodigal Son
Luke 15:17-20 (KJV) emphasis mine
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father SAW HIM, and had compassion, and RAN, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
The father in the story was watching for his son to come home and, when he did, RAN out to meet him and greeted him joyously. This is all the more profound when you think of where the son had been. He was probably covered in pig slop and stunk to high heaven. Yet so great was the fatherâs love that he ignored the mess and welcomed his son back home with open arms.
The father’s running did not demean him (quite the opposite) but rather spoke of the love that he had for his son. At that moment it WAS âall about his son.â So much so that the father later rebukes his oldest son for not celebrating his brotherâs return.
I will never be able to understand the logic behind Dennisâ words (or so many others like him who criticize Contemporary Christian Music for being self-centered) âI am left with the sense that this line reduces what could be seen as a worship / reverence song (for all the reasons you have (all) so eloquently detailed above), down to being yet another âitâs all about meâ song.â
When it comes to salvation, it is âall about me!â and âall about you!â and âall about every person on the face of the earth as individuals!â ALL AT THE SAME TIME!!! There is no such thing as corporate salvation.
We will each, individually, stand before God
Romans 14:11-12 (KJV)
11For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
What does Heaven itself portray about the value of the individual?
Luke 15:7, 10 (KJV) From the same series of parables that ends with the Prodigal Son
7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over ONE SINNER that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over ONE SINNER that repenteth.
49 years ago, those angels rejoiced on behalf of me and me alone. Itâs not self-indulgent for me to say that; itâs scriptural.
Therefore, to say that “Jesus came running” does NOT at all convey the idea that “Jesus eagerly putting himself forward to be sent, like a puppy anxious to play ball, like he couldnât wait to please me” (Dennis’ words) or that He was “late/in a hurry/rushing at humanityâs beck and call’ (Catherine’s words)
I would rather say that His eagerness was made manifest not to âpleaseâ me but to âredeemâ me; which, in turn, âpleasesâ Him.
Galatians 4:4-7 (KJV)
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Psalm 69:30-31 (KJV)
30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
31 This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.
Psalm 147:10-11 (KJV)
10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
This song gives glory to God by saying the “You came running” because it emphasizes just how important our (or dare I say, my) salvation was to Him.
Jo
Amen and thank you all for your opinions and facts…I am hesitant to approve of or support ANY Hillsong, Jesus Movement, Maverick music and Bethel music at all. Now I see that they CAN be scriptural albeit still controversial!
Catherine Davis
I squirm at the lyrics âtill from heaven you came runningâ; was he late/in a hurry/rushing at humanityâs beck and call? I have no Scriptural basis for this concept and, in fact, the notion somehow belittles Jesus and indeed Godâs plan since the beginning to send a Saviour. There was no hurrying, no last minute breathlessness to it, God in His sovereign control of all things set a time and a place for His Son to enter human history.
At the very least, could someone please shed light on these lyrics as they jump out at me every time and I am puzzled and, at worst, they undermine the sovereignty of God and the glory of His Son.
Vince Wright
Catherine Davis,
Thank you for your comments!
I don’t see an implied late/hurry/rushing anywhere in Verse 1. We were just…waiting. In the lyrics, we aren’t demanding that He shows up now. We do not deride Him for showing up later than we wanted. We’re just waiting. Then, He shows up. Then, He does wonderful things. Then, we praise Him.
-Vince Wright
Catherine Davis
Hi Vince
In verse 1 it is Jesus who is doing the hurrying/rushing, not us. Furthermore itâs not implied it actual says âyou came runningâ.
I canât figure out why Jesus would be running.
Vince Wright
Catherine,
Thanks for clarifying! Yes, Jesus came running.
If I recall correctly, to “come running” is an idiom that means something like being pleased to do what someone else wants. Bridge gives us a hint that Jesus is doing what the Father wants when it says,
For the souls of all whoâd come
To the Father are restored
This coincides with John 5:23 and John 8:18.
-Vince Wright
Dennis Bartlett
The lyric that I found misleading in the King of Kings is one that you all seem to have accepted, ” Till from heaven You came running “. The message I get from that is one of Jesus eagerly putting himself forward to be sent, like a puppy anxious to play ball, like he couldn’t wait to please me.
Person 1 (God) so loved the world that he sent Person 2 (his Son). (John 3:16)
Person 2 obeyed because he loved Person 1. (Phil 2:8)
Person 2 came to endure it all because Person 1 is the only one he thinks about (John 6:38 “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.”, John 5:19 “but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever he does, that the Son does likewise”).
My observation from being in a Hillsong church for many years is that the extreme fervour exhibited on Sundays does little to motivate the congregants to impact their world. We had 6000 seats filled every Sunday, home groups pulled maybe 800 on a good day, yet we managed to get only 8 doing outreach in a homeless shelter on Wednesdays. Talking it over with folk I found there to be no understanding that we are saved to offer that same hope to others, and do this outside of Sundays.
I am left with the sense that this line reduces what could be seen as a worship / reverence song (for all the reasons you have (all) so eloquently detailed above), down to being yet another “it’s all about me” song. I find that “all-about-me” songs perpetuate a Christianity that ends at me. There is no impetus to do outreach to get the good news to others because, after all, if Jesus came running to get me, he will go running to save you without me needing to get involved.
Jezimar Norberto
Sorry, one more thing. This conversation was initiated by a friend of mine that goes to the same church I do with the though provoking comment on stated on the second paragraph i wrote above, which has led to great conversations with other friends. Again, thanks for taking the time to write your thoughts.
Jezimar Norberto
Hi Vince, I’m new here. I having an issue with the lyrics “You did not despise the cross”. It could be my lack of English understanding, đ but In Hebrews 12:2, it says Jesus âendured the cross, despising the shame.â
Unless Iâm missing something, Iâm finding that lyric to be a poor choice of words (at best) or unbiblical (at worst). I think the songwriter probably intended the message âJesus did not reject going to the cross,â but I think Jesus still hated it. I think Jesus did despise it, but He endured it.
Your thoughts? Thank you!
Vince Wright
Jezimar,
Welcome to The Berean Test!
Merriam-Webster contains two definitions for “despise”. They are:
1) To look down on with disrespect or aversion.
2) To regard as negligible, worthless, or distasteful.
The second definition doesn’t seem to fit. I also think Jesus respected the cross. What about Aversion?
The first definition fits with your chief argument: “a feeling of repugnance toward something with a desire to avoid or turn from it”. We know that Jesus didn’t want to go through with it. He asked three times for the Father to “remove this cup”. But, did Jesus “look down upon” the cross? My understanding is that to look down upon means contempt, or to….despise!
Ok that’s not so helpful. How about this instead. Usually when I think about “look down upon”, it means to me that this thing, whatever it is, it’s beneath me. It’s not worthy of consideration. I don’t think Jesus had this attitude toward the cross. He didn’t want to go through it, for sure! But, it wasn’t beneath Him.
I think the only way we can get “despise” to be unbiblical (in this context) is to define it as “Jesus didn’t want to go through with it”; However, I doubt that many people will see it this way.
I know that was lengthy, but I hope that helps!
-Vince Wright
Paul W Smith
I love this song. It’s lyric and melody are brilliantâexcept for one item that seems to have been overlooked by the previous comments (BTW, in my opinion, “all of heaven held its breath” is a poetic form called metonymy, which a word is used to symbolize something else, in this case the angels). The line that troubles me is this: “who has resurrected me.” A study of the term “resurrect” in Scripture refers specifically to being physically raised from the dead, which of course only Jesus and those who were raised and showed themselves alive after Christ’s resurrection as you mentioned in your evaluation of the song above. Other than these incidents, all other references refer to a future resurrection, not a present one. None of the references you gave in your comments on this line state that we are resurrected now. Rather, we received the benefits of the Christ’s resurrection so we can “walk in newness of life.” There was a heresy along this line in the early to mid-twentieth century. Those who espoused this heresy (or their followers) believed that when they died, they would immediately be resurrected. Of course, they weren’t. I don’t believe this could be poetic license because the Scriptures are specific in its use of the word resurrection.
Vince Wright
Paul,
Thank you for your comments!
One of the Scriptures that I posted is Romans 6:1-11. I’ve reposted it below with emphasis, NASB:
6 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin.
8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
When I read this, I see both the physical and spiritual sense in Paul’s words. Yes, there will be a time when there’s a final resurrection (Luke 20:34-38, Acts 24:15-16, Romans 6:1-5, Romans 8:11-13, 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 1 Corinthians 15:50-56, 2 Corinthians 4:13-14, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18); However, that does not mean that Romans (along with the other passages I cited) does not teach spiritual resurrection within our hearts.
We must be careful when using the word “heresy” on matter-of-opinion issues. Heresy is teaching that is contrary to the essential doctrines of Christianity. I am not aware of this teaching, but I agree that it’s not Biblical insofar as time from our perspective. There could be an argument that, from the perspective of those who died, that they would experience an immediate resurrection; However, I try not to make predictions about post-death details. I’ll likely be mistaken.
-Vince Wright
Nelda Travis
Praise the Father, praise the Son
Praise the Spirit, three in one…
When I read or hear the lyrics above I am reading and hearing it in a UPC Oneness Church and NOT in a church that believes in the Trinity. It is a beautiful song do not be mistaken. But I have had the song sung in a Trinity church and for the new Christians that do not have a concreted Trinity base foundation May Not know what they are reading/singing a oneness theology song.
Vince Wright
Nelda,
Thank you for your comment! Is that inherent in the lyrics or separate from what the lyrics inherently teach?
-Vince Wright
Steve Barhydt
Nelda,
Just because a Oneness church is incorporating this song into their services does not make it “a oneness theology song.”
Hillsong Church does NOT adhere to Oneness theology…
“We believe in one eternal God who is the Creator of all things. He exists in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. He is totally loving and completely holy.”
https://hillsong.com/what-we-believe/
The phrase “Praise the Father, Praise the Son, Praise the Spirit, THREE IN ONE” is, in and of itself, an explicit, howbeit simple, declaration of Trinitarian doctrine.
I would say that a Oneness congregation must either ignore the words “three in one” altogether or mentally twist them to mean something else in order to bypass the obvious reference to the Trinity.
Juli
I didn’t take the “all of heaven held it’s breath” line in a “Gasp! We don’t know what is going to happen!” way, but instead as “So in awe it steals your breath away” way.
Cyril
Hi Folks
Thanks for all your perspectives. I have certainly benefited from looking at that lyric through Juli’s, Steve’s and Val’s lens. Maybe you are right – “all of heaven holding its breath” might be referring to the awe of it all, suspense or anticipation rather than an uncertainty of what is to come. The main issue here is with the phrase “held its breath” – What does it mean? It can mean excitement (which Juli, Steve and Val hold to assume). OR it could reflect anxiousness or nervousness (which Kyle and I interpreted it as)
Since I can’t tackle all your points. Let me discuss the main ones.
1 – This only applies to angels
2 – Assumption the angles did not know.
I guess we can separate the concern into 3 main questions
1) What does the songwriter mean by “heaven”?
For example, lets take the phrase – “White House has not commented on this matter”. We automatically know that it is referring to the POTUS. Meaning, we have been relayed an information of what the President wanted to put out there. Even though there are other humans/positions in the White House – personifying the White House is to indicate something specific that the President wanted to share/not share. Therefore “heaven holding its breath” is a metaphorical anthropomorphism of the reaction/expression of who that space belongs to. Especially when the songwriter says “ALL OF heaven held its breath till the stone was moved for good”. Here, either the songwriter is not including God & Holy Spirit in “All of heaven” and that might be the case. Maybe the songwriter means all of heavenly hosts were in awe and in surprise. This brings us to the second question
2) Did the angels know or did they not know that Jesus would rise again?
To be honest – I am not really sure if the angels knew or didn’t know.
Steve does present a compelling argument that angels might have not known. Steve also mentions that the angels realized the significance of the prophesies and put it all together right before the women came to the tomb. Maybe this was the case.
OR
One can argue that the angels knew. Assuming the angels could put into context Isaiah 53, Hosea 6:2, Zechariah 12:10, Genesis 2:15, Mark 9:31, Mathew 16:21, Luke 2:35 and various others – and we know that they are more likely to be more intelligent than humans (2 Samuel 14:20, Psalm 8:5), the could’ve known.
But…. I don’t know if they knew or not. There is no certifiable evidence that they knew or did not know. And I am not sure how relevant it is to the story of our salvation either.
3) What did the angels long to see, as per 1 Peter 1:12?
– It COULD BE (as per Steve’s understanding) that the angels stooped over/inspected curiously to see the actual resurrection and was in awe of the resurrection
OR
– it COULD BE that the angels stoop over/inspect curiously and is in awe of our salvation with the help of the Holy Ghost that was sent down from heaven. The angles long to see God’s children saved and filled by the Holy Spirit and walk with God because of the way Jesus made for us. Take a look at this commentary. (https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/what-the-prophets-sought-and-angels-desired)
____________________________
About the score for this song – Feel free to keep the score as it is. The scores on this website are certainly subjective to a large extent and I certainly respect viewpoints that are different to mine. Some of the scores I agree with (like Day’s of Elijah) and some them I don’t (like No longer Slaves / Chainbreaker). I am sure God can/has used songs with lower rating on this page to edify souls.
I was more concerned with understanding what the song writer meant with that phrase. Certainly, this is an awesome platform to discuss these things and see the different perspectives people might hold and how the same lyric might be interpreted differently by different folks. Kyle and I were a bit perturbed by that lyric. Juli, Steve and Val were not and I understand their perspective better because of this opportunity to share and discuss.
Thanks Guys!
God Bless
Cyril
PS – I am a ‘he’ @ Vince – No worries đ
Vince Wright
Cyril,
Thank you for the correction! I won’t update my review, but at least I know you are male! đ
I am enjoying this conversation.
-Vince Wright
Steve Barhydt
In addition to agreeing with Val’s comment, I would add the following thoughts..
The bridge itself gives hint that the term “All of Heaven” is referring to the angels alone by the phrase “And the angels stood in awe.”
When coupled with the fact that, in the chorus, all three members of the Trinity are given praise for our salvation, it is fairly obvious that is was not the intention of the songwriter to portray that the Godhead was in suspense.
Additionally, I believe that 1 Peter 1:10-12 is the perfect scripture to refer to when trying to understand what was going through the minds of the prophets and the angels prior to the cross
“10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.”
Even though the Old Testament prophets were given the “facts” about what Jesus would go through, they did not (I would see, could not) fully understand it. It was something so amazing that even the angels wanted to “look Into” it.
The Greek word for “look into” literally means to “stoop over and inspect curiously.”
As to the meeting between the angels and the women at the tomb in Luke 24:5-7, that conversation took place AFTER the stone had been rolled away. This is exactly what the song says!
“2And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.”
By this point the angels would have realized the significance of all of the prophecies, including the very words of Jesus that they reminded the women of.
In summary, no one but God fully understood what was going to transpire between the crucifixion and the resurrection.
The Old Testament prophets didn’t get it (even though it was revealed to them.).
The Apostles and other followers of Jesus while He was here on the earth missed it (even though they were specifically told so by Jesus!)
Satan surely didn’t understand that he was to bring about his own downfall by causing the death of Christ.
As the old saying goes that “hindsight is 20/20”.
I believe that this song fully deserves it’s 10/10 rating
Vince Wright
Steve,
Thanks for your support! This strengthens my resolve.
-Vince Wright
John
The problem with all these answers about “why” all of heaven was holding its breath is that they are answers to questions that are valid only if you assume a fact that is not in evidence, i.e., that “all of heaven was ‘IN FACT’ holding its breath.” Problem is, it is the SONG that makes that statement, and NOT the BIBLE. In other words, when you start to explain “why all of heaven was holding its breath,” you ARE assuming a fact not in evidence — i.e., the Bible does not say that all of of heaven “WAS” holding its breath, so there is no scriptural basis for supposing there was such an occurrence.
Unless you add to the Scripture.
Steve Barhydt
John,
Those of us who have attempted to explain the ‘why’ of the phrase ‘All of heaven held its breathâ do NOT “assume a fact that is not in evidence, i.e., that âall of heaven was âIN FACTâ holding its breath.â
We, merely, try to explain (using Scripture) why the phrase is not directly contrary to what the Bible does say about the subject and, therefore, may very well be true.
This is not âadding to the Scriptureâ any more than a Bible commentator using Scriptures, along with the tools of hermeneutics, to explain the more difficult passages of the Bible.
I completely agree that âit is the SONG that makes that statement, and NOT the BIBLE.â That does not negate the possibility of the truth of the statement.
So, is it possible that the statement is true? Based on my comments on Feb 23.2020 | 01:01 am – I would say a resounding âYESââŚ
⢠The angels did not understand the plan of salvation prior to the Resurrection.
⢠The Old Testament prophets didnât get it (even though it was revealed to them.).
⢠The Apostles and other followers of Jesus while He was here on the earth missed it (even though they were specifically told so by Jesus!)
You, on the other hand, assume that all of heaven did not hold its breath because the Bible doesnât specifically say that it did; yet, you have offered âno scriptural basis for supposing there wasâ NOT âsuch an occurrence.â
This is a very narrow method of interpretation and would negate such doctrines as the Trinity (word not used), the Rapture (word not used) , hypostatic union (full explanation not given), etc.
Please offer Scriptural evidence that no one in Heaven was the least bit surprised by the events described in the bridge of this song.
In summary, did all of heaven (minus the Godhead) hold its breath?
I donât know! Moreover, I donât care!!
Before anyone calls me a heretic, hear where I am coming from.
Whether or not âheaven held its breathâ is not relevant to the truth of the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! It doesnât change the outcome of the story one whit.
Far too many commentators on this website get so caught up in the minutia that they âfail to see the forest for the trees.â
I am a Biblical literalist. I believe that the Bible means exactly what it says. However, to properly interpret it, you must take into account everything it says about a given subject and do so in the context of each passage, each book and the Bible as a whole.
Almost without fail, these negative commentators either misquote the Bible (taken a passage out of context) or donât use the Bible at all in their rebuttals to Vinceâs reviews.
From my comment on this website for the song âGratitudeâ by Brandon Lake on Mar 27.2023 | 09:33 am
*****************************Begin Quote**********************
There are some who will probably disagree with me, but it is not necessary for every single phrase in a song to have solid, irrefutable scriptural backing as long as that phrase does not contradict what the Bible says about a certain subject.
It is always important to remember that most are poetic in nature, in that the songwriter will use linguistic devices (such as metaphors, hyperbole, similes, alliteration etc.) to portray the thought that they are trying to make.
*****************************End Quote**********************
The Bible is an amazing collection of 66 books and, in the original languages, it is the inspired, infallible Word of God!! However, not every concept, phrase, question, situation, or explanation is contained in exquisite, exhaustive detail in the 783,137 words of the King James Bible.
Kyle
What about the specific phrase “All of heaven held its breath”? I don’t see that in the scripture references. It seems to be phrased as if heaven wasn’t sure that Jesus was going to raise from the dead…
Vince Wright
Kyle,
Great question! I would say, it was the angels who were unaware. According to 1 Peter 1:12, the angels longed to look into “these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven”.
The “all of” in heaven would naturally exclude God the Father and Holy Spirit, just like “all have fallen short” excludes Jesus in Romans 3:23. There may be some other exceptions to the “all”, which diminishes this term. Perhaps “most” or “some” would be better alternatives? Still, at this time, I cannot refute the “all” without further Biblical evidence and the exceptions I already listed.
Does that help?
-Vince Wright
Cyril
Hi Vince
I am still not sure if the answer to Kyle’s question is sufficient. I am really struggling with the lyric – “All of heaven held its breath…till that stone was moved for good”. First of, if as you say, “all of heaven” excludes God and the Holy Spirit – then what is heaven? It is certainly a stretch to tie it to Jesus not being included in Paul’s “all have sinned” – because Jesus was both God and Man – even on the earth. Its easier to wrap my head around the exclusion of Jesus in Paul’s claim compared to your explanation that “all of heaven” excludes God the father/Holy Spirit.
Even with the premise that “heavens” refer to angels – I don’t really see why the angels would hold their breath till the stone was moved for good. Luke 24: 5 – 8 “In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but they said to them, âWhy do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: âThe Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.â âThen they remembered his words.” The tone of the angels here isn’t like a sigh of relief after “holding their breath”, but rather almost dismissive like – “Why are you surprised? He already told you he will be rising on the third day…”
To be honest I really don’t see Peter 1:12 – “angels longing to look” applicable in this context. If I am interpreting and understanding correctly, they (the angels and the prophets of old) longed to see the salvation and the holy spirit poured out to the people. One can make an argument that angels did not know that Jesus would rise and therefore they were “holding their breath till the stone was moved for good”. But I am not sure. Something feels a little off.
God in heaven in his sovereignty and love knew that he would defeat death. If at all anything heaven was waiting for the third day to come to rejoice and celebrate for he is risen. So these are my thoughts. I am curious to read your response and just to let you know – everything else I love in this song. Music and Lyric wise, but those two lines really has hindered me from introducing it to the worship team in my church. Maybe I am overthinking it – I don’t know.
Thanks again for taking time to respond
Best
Cyril
Vince Wright
Cyril,
Thank you for the challenge!
To your point, there is a song by Disciple that says “Even heaven is hell, if somehow you were not there”. I agree with both you and Disciple on this: heaven is not heaven without God! However, if we consider the alternative, if “all of heaven held its breath”, what does that mean? It communicates suspense. It’s what we sometimes do during an intense movie scene. Is the hero dead? What will happen next? Suspense occurs because we don’t know what will happen next. Yet, God knows all things! Where is the suspense for God? Where is the surprise?
In summary of your first point and my commentary, if we exclude God and the Holy Spirit, then heaven is no longer heaven. But, if we include God, then God is no longer omniscient. This leads to a contradiction, which takes 1 Peter 1:12 off the table.
You also bring up a great point about the angels who visit the grieving women. I agree with it.
If we have a consensus on the first point, I’ll be happy to update my review and lower my score.
-Vince Wright
Val Khieya
Hello!
I’m just throwing my two cents in about the “all of heaven held its breath” line.
Holding one’s breath is not necessarily indicative that one does not know the outcome of events. Have you ever watched ‘The Passion’ movie? Every Christian knows the events intimately, but pretty much every viewing for me is emotional.
Imagine then, the Father and all the inhabitants of heaven viewing the moment in time when Jesus went through all that suffering. I think the phrase “held their breath” might come vastly short of their reaction.
Vince Wright
Val,
Thank you for your thought! It’s a fascinating argument and could, in fact, work against the commentary of Cyril.
I’ll leave my review alone for the time being and allow her to chime in.
-Vince Wright
Judy Farrell
I don’t think they held their breath because they didn’t believe, but that they were in silence and awe that Christ had to suffer hell in our place to save us
Someone
This is precisely my thought as well! 10/10 agree with your question!
David Jones
I’m so glad you reviewed this song. I knew it would get a 10/10!
Vince Wright
David,
I am glad you liked it!
-Vince Wright
Keim, Becky
I do lead this song in church and I think it is a great song. I did come here looking to see if you had anything to say about the line “all of heaven held its breath” as I felt that is not necessarily a biblical statement on it’s own and I kind of wish there was a more biblical based statement there instead so I could give the song my own 10/10. Thoughts on that line in particular?
Jeff Musser
I agree with you, Becky. When I lead this song I actually change the word “till” to “as”. In my mind it takes out any element of doubt that my have been in the minds of the heavenly host.
Nathan
Interesting as I came here looking for the same thing. It was kinda just glossed over and heaped into the part where it talks about Jesus rising, but that line itself definitely needs to be explained and put in biblical context by itself, as itâs heresy. Heaven didnât hold its breathe because Heaven, Iâm assuming theyâre meaning the angels and God the Father and Spirit, didnât hold their breathe because they knew what was going on. It didnât âshockâ or âsurpriseâ heaven, they werenât in suspense.
Steve Barhydt
Nathan,
Please see my comment on Feb 23.2020 | 01:01 am explaining my take on the phrase in question.
Rob Murray
What about the line “He did not despise the cross”? Surely that’s in direct opposition to Hebrews 12:2? Particularly the ESV.
Vince Wright
Rob,
Great question!
Despising the shame of the cross is not the same as despising the entirety of the cross itself. We know from Scripture that Jesus despised the shame of the cross from His statements in the garden of Gethsemane, stating three times to the Father “let this cup pass from me.” He didn’t want to go through it. He despised the shame, but endured the cross for our sins. Thus, He did not despise the cross.
-Vince Wright