Hillsong Worship – The Passion

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?

Jesus paid for the lawbreaking of sinners like Hillsong on the cross and rose from the dead, granting Hillong freedom from the consenquences of their error.  They fully devote themselves to obeying Christ under His eternal rule and reign.

Score: 10/10

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

The whole thing aligns with Scripture.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

The passion of our Saviour

The word “passion” comes from the late Latin passionem, which means “suffering” or  “enduring”.  It is a Christian term to describe the sufferings of Jesus on the cross (Matthew 27:27-50, Mark 15:16-32, Luke 23:26-43, and John 19:16-27).

The mercy of our God
The cross that leaves no question
Of the measure of His love

Christ proves that He loves us by, as described in Chorus, paying the debt for our lawbreaking via crucifixion (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, 1 John 4:9-10, and Revelation 5:9).

[Chorus]

Our chains are gone, our debt is paid
The cross has overthrown the grave
For Jesus’ blood that sets us free
Means death to death and life for me

See commentary on Verse 1, lines 2-4.

[Verse 2]

The Innocent judged guilty
While the guilty one walks free
Death would be His portion
And our portion liberty

Describes the Great Exchange (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24).

[Bridge]

I give my whole life to honour this love

Hillsong surrenders to Jesus to honor His sacrifice (Psalm 43:5, 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).

By the Lamb who was slain, I’m forgiven

Jesus is called the slain Lamb in Isaiah 53:7, John 1:29, John 1:36, Acts 8:32, 1 Peter 1:19, Revelation 5:6-8, Revelation 5:12-13, Revelation 6:1, Revelation 7:9-17, Revelation 12:11, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 14:1-10, Revelation 15:3, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:7-9, and Revelation 21:9.  Without the shedding of His blood, there is no forgiveness of lawbreaking (Hebrews 9:22).

The sinner’s Saviour, crown Him forever

Jesus is King forever (Exodus 15:18, Psalm 10:16, Psalm 29:10, Psalm 92:8, Psalm 145:13, Psalm 146:10, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 11:10, Lamentations 5:19, Daniel 4:3, Daniel 4:34, Daniel 6:26, Micah 4:7, Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1-6, John 12:15, John 18:37, 1 Timothy 1:17, 1 Timothy 6:13-16, 1 Peter 5:1, Revelation 11:15, Revelation 17:14, and Revelation 19:11-16).

For the Lamb who was slain, He is risen

The first part essentially repeats the first part of line 2.  The second is supported in 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.

I give my whole life to honour this love
By the Lamb who was slain, I’m forgiven
The sinner’s Saviour, crown Him forever
For the Lamb who was slain, He is risen
I give my whole life to honour this love
By the Lamb who was slain, I’m forgiven
The sinner’s Saviour, crown Him forever
For the Lamb who was slain, He is risen!

Repeats lines 1-4.

[Outro]

Means death to death and life for me

Repeats Chorus, line 4.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Unbelievers will easily think that this song describes the Gospel.  They will easily recognize Christianese terms and phrases such as “Jesus”, “Lamb who was slain”, Saviour”, and “He is risen”.  In fact, almost all of the lyrics are Christianese!  Yet, nothing will be easily misunderstood or appear confusing to those who don’t know Jesus.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Jesus as the loving, ruling Savior whose passion on the cross liberated Hillsong to fully serve Him in obedience.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Hillsong Worship’s The Passion is excellent.  To succinctly put it, this song presents the Gospel message, which includes Christ’s death, His resurrection, our freedom from the grave, where we can fully embrace and obey Jesus.  These bring Him glory.  Unbelievers should have no problem interpreting similarly.

I highly recommend this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: The Passion (listen to the song)

Artist: Hillsong Worship

EP: There Is More: Studio Sessions

Genre: Rock

Release Year: 2018

Duration: 4:27

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