Hillsong Worship – Remembrance

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 communes with Christ, with the bread and cup as elements of His shed blood and broken body for their salvation and redemption. They take Jesus’ call to remember what He did seriously, even asking Him to help them not forget amid potential faltering. They also remember their former state of rebellion and the punishment deserved therein.

Score: 10/10

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

The whole song reflects Scripture.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

I take the bread of life
Broken for all my sin
Your body crucified
To make me whole again

References communion (Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-20, and 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).  He gave his life to broken people amid our sinful state (Romans 5:6-8) to restore us (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24).

[Verse 2]

I will recall the cup
Poured out in sacrifice
To trade this sinner’s end
For Your new covenant

See Verse 1.

[Chorus]

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.

I’ll live my life in remembrance

That is, remembering what Jesus did for us.  If you go back and check the Bible verses referenced in Verse 1, notice that Jesus calls us to “do this in remembrance of me”.

Hallelujah

Repeats line 1.

Your promise I won’t forget

Essentially repeats line 2.

[Verse 3]

I’ll walk salvation’s road
With fear and trembling

Not by being afraid, but in deep reverence and respect.  Quotes from Philippians 2:12-13.

Your way borne as my own
As Christ is formed in me

Borrows from Galatians 2:20.

[Post-Chorus]

If ever I should lose my way
If ever I deny Your grace
Remind me of the price You paid

Similar to Chorus, line 2, except Hillsong is asking God to help them not forget.

Hallelujah
I’ll live in remembrance

Essentially repeats Chorus, lines 1 and 2.

[Bridge]

You’ve been so, so good to me

Summarizes the song thus far.

You’ve been so, so good to me

Repeats line 1.

Oh to think where I would be
If not for You
If not for You

A rhetorical question.  The answer, of course, is the second death (Romans 6:23, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 20:6, Revelation 20:14-15, and Revelation 21:8).

You’ve been so, so good to me
You’ve been so, so good to me
Oh to think where I would be
If not for You
If not for You

You’ve been so, so good to me
You’ve been so, so good to me
Oh to think where I would be
If not for You
If not for You

Repeat lines 1-5.

[Post-Chorus 2]

As far as heights reach from the depths
As far as east is from the west
So far Your grace has carried me

Not a reference to Psalm 103:12.  That Verse has to do with sin.  These three lines are more about traversal from death to life.  See commentary on “restore us” in Verse 1.

[Post-Chorus 3]

Until I see You face to face

Quotes from the tail end of 1 Corinthians 13:12.

Until at last I’ve won my race
Remind me You’re not finished yet

References 1 Corinthians 9:24.

[Outro]

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
I’ll live in remembrance

Repeats Verse 1, lines 1 and 2.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

The word “Christ” mentioned in Verse 3 makes the subject explicitly clear for those who don’t believe.  Hillsong’s language is everyday and simple, that it’s about the Lord’s supper.  Christians must remember what Jesus did for them.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Jesus in that it calls us to remember what He did for us, not just in our beliefs but also in our actions.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Hillsong Worship’s Remembrance is Biblical.  It asks Christians to never forget Jesus’ sacrificial love for us, which bring Him glory.  Unbelievers should also easily interpret similarly.

Those looking to add a conversation between people and God as part of their worship set may want to consider including this one.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Remembrance (Live) (listen to the song)

Artist: Hillsong Worship

Album: There Is More (Live)

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2018

Duration: 5:36

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

*Copyright © 2018 Hillsong Music Publishing (APRA) (adm. in the US and Canada at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.