Hillsong Worship – Through it all

Hey, it’s time for another Hillsong review!  How long has it been this time?  October 7th was my last review with Grace to Grace you say?  I suppose we’re due.

Hillsong has had highly favorable reviews for the eight songs I reviewed thus far.  In fact, as of this writing, Who You Say I Am and So Will I continue to dominate as my most popular reviews!  I also have a few more coming up in January thanks to your votes.

Speaking of polls, I noticed that Rita Springer – Defender, Elevation Worship – Here Again, and Housefires – Build My Life all got three votes apiece.  I plan to schedule these in February given how close they were to the top three: Lauren Daigle – Look Up Child, Hillsong – Wake, and Hillsong United – Touch the Sky.  Keep those song submissions coming!

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 is purely a praise song, reminiscent of some of the Psalms, describing the great things God has done and carries forth a request for spiritual protection and to align Hillsong’s desires with that of the Lord.

While much of the song could possibly apply to a boy/girlfriend, the dead giveaway that it does not is stanza 1 line 4.  How does a girlfriend lead us into their righteousness?  That would be strange had it been a love song to them.

Another hint is the word “Lord” used in the third stanza.  While Abraham was called Lord in Genesis 18:12, it does not carry the same meaning here, given my commentary on righteousness and the mention of “everlasting arms” in line 4, the boy/girlfriend interpretation seems unlikely.  While I would have liked to see more attributes of God or explicit mention of God/Jesus, there is barely enough hints to point towards God worship as the most likely interpretation.

Score: 10/10

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

The entire song is biblically sound.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

Given the lack of paragraph distinctive, I will refer to each as a separate stanza for organizational purposes.

[Stanza 1]

You are forever in my life
You see me through the seasons

This is so because God is eternal (Deuteronomy 33:27, 1 Chronicles 16:34, Job 36:26, Psalm 48:14, Psalm 90:2-4, Psalm 102:12, Psalm 102:26-27, Proverbs 8:23, Isaiah 40:28, Isaiah 41:4, Habakkuk 1:12, John 17:5, Romans 1:20, 1 Corinthians 2:7, Ephesians 1:4, Hebrews 1:11-12, 1 Peter 1:20, 2 Peter 3:8, Revelation 1:8, Revelation 11:17, and Revelation 22:13) and that as Christ followers, we will inherit eternal life with Him (Mark 10:29-30, John 3:15-16, John 3:36, John 4:14, John 5:24, John 5:39-40, John 6:27, John 6:40, John 10:28, John 17:3, John 20:31, Romans 5:21, Romans 6:22-23, Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Galatians 6:8, 1 Timothy 1:16, 1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 2:11 , Hebrews 5:9, 1 Peter 5:10, 1 John 2:23-27, 1 John 5:10-13, 1 John 5:20, Jude 1:20-21, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 7:16-17, and Revelation 21:3-4).

Cover me with Your hand

God offers spiritual protection to those who are His (see Ruth 2:12, 2 Samuel 22:3-4, Psalm 3:3, Psalm 5:11, Psalm 18:30, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 32:7, Psalm 34:22, Psalm 41:2, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 57:1, Psalm 59:1, Psalm 61:3, Psalm 91:1-16, Psalm 118:8, Psalm 121:7-8, Psalm 138:7, Proverbs 18:10, Proverbs 30:5, Nahum 1:7, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, and 1 John 5:18).

And lead me in Your righteousness

According to Exodus 20:20, Psalm 19:9, Proverbs 14:2, and Proverbs 23:17, the fear of the Lord (deep reverence and respect for God) is the beginning of righteousness.  God can lead us in His righeousness because God is righteous (see Exodus 9:27, Deuteronomy 32:4, Judges 5:11, 1 Samuel 12:7, 2 Samuel 23:3-4, Ezra 9:15, Nehemiah 9:8, Job 37:23, Psalm 7:11, Psalm 9:8, Psalm 11:7, Psalm 36:6, Psalm 35:24, Psalm 40:10, Psalm 48:10, Psalm 50:6, Psalm 65:5, Psalm 89:14, Psalm 96:13, Psalm 97:2, Psalm 97:6, Psalm 99:4, Psalm 103:6, Psalm 119:137, Psalm 71:19, Psalm 111:2-3, Psalm 119:7, Psalm 119:142, Psalm 129:4, Psalm 145:17, Isaiah 5:16, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 45:21, Isaiah 46:13, Isaiah 51:8, Jeremiah 9:24, Jeremiah 11:20, Jeremiah 12:1, Lamentations 1:18, Daniel 9:14-16, Micah 6:5, Zephaniah 3:5, Zechariah 8:8, John 17:25, 2 Timothy 4:8, and Revelation 15:3).

And I look to You

This line describes a state without distraction, our eyes fixed only on God and nothing else (see Hebrews 12:2).

[Stanza 2]

And I wait on You

Much like the Psalmist, David, in Psalm 27:14, and the words of the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 40:31, those of us who wait upon the Lord shall receive strength.  In this case, it is the strength to continue to live in righteousness.

[Stanza 3]

I will sing to You, Lord
A hymn of love
For Your faithfulness to me

There are numerous passages of those (particularly David) who sings praises to/about God because of His faithfulness, including 2 Samuel 22:1-51, Psalm 13:6, Psalm 18:43-49, Psalm 21:8-13, Psalm 27:1-6, Psalm 28:6-9, Psalm 51:14, Psalm 57:1-7, Psalm 59:16, Psalm 63:7, Psalm 69:29-36, Psalm 89:1, and Psalm 108:1-4.

I’m carried in everlasting arms
You’ll never let me go
Through it all

See commentary on Stanza 1, lines 1 and 2.

[Stanza 4]

Hallelujah, hallelujah

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”.  Pretty cool, huh?

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

I wrote in section 1 about the comparison between two competing interpretations: a boy/girlfriend and God worship.  I concluded that the lyrics lead more likely to the latter than the former.  Would an unbeliever draw the same conclusion?  Most likely, yes they would, perhaps for the same reasons I stated.

I could understand why some might apply this to a boy/girlfriend and go that route.  That is up to them.  However, as one who is concerned about communication, I think it’s a safe bet to believe that those who do are probably in the minority.

Score: 9/10

4. What does this song glorify?

These lyrics glorify the Almighty as a prayerful thirst for His righteousness.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Hillsong Worship is on a roll with yet another highly positive review.  Though it all is a ditty worth utilizing for worship.  It is highly biblical, points everyone to God, and offers a prayerful focus that strengthens our desire for God.

Final Score: 9.5/10

Artist Info

Track: Through It All (listen to the song) (buy the song)

Artist: Hillsong Worship

Album: Blessed (buy the album)

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2002

Duration: 5:17

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

*Copyright © 2007 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.  I increased the score for sections 1 and 4.  This did not affect the overall score.