Hillsong Worship – Touch of Heaven

Hillsong is an Australian megachurch whose global reach cannot be ignored.  They are a mainstay in modern Christian music, with a massive discography to boot.

Hillsong occasionally receives 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 is desperate to experience God’s Presence.  They desire to know Him personally; a relationship that they treasure above all others.  They yield to His will, sacrificing their yearnings for His.

While I understand that some people have an issue with Christian songs that focus more on experience and less on theology, emotion is part of our humanity.  We should want to encounter His Presence, and there’s nothing wrong with singing about that.

Side Note: To those put off by massive repetition, the song’s second half contains one iteration of Chorus, followed by three repeats of four lines in Bridge, then two more repeats of Chorus.

Score: 10/10

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

All of it is Biblical.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

How I live for the moments
Where I’m still in Your presence
All the noise dies down
Lord, speak to me now
You have all my attention
I will linger and listen
I can’t miss a thing

Hillsong longs to spend time with God in prayer, secluded and isolated from distraction.  They follow Jesus’ example, as cited in Matthew 14:1-13, Matthew 26:29, Matthew 26:42, Mark 6:30-32, Mark 14:36, Luke 4:1-2, Luke 4:14-15, Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12-13, Luke 22:39-44, and John 18:11.

It also reminds me of the contrast between Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42.  While Martha was distracted by all the preparations for her guests, Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to Him.

[Pre-Chorus]

Lord, I know my heart wants more of You
My heart wants something new
So I surrender all

These are the words of a transformed heart, where Hillsong surrenders their earthly desires to acquire Him (Psalm 51:10, Jeremiah 24:7, Ezekiel 11:19, Ezekiel 36:26, Romans 2:29, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 5:17, and 2 Corinthians 7:10).

[Chorus]

All I want is to live within Your love
Be undone by who You are
My desire is to know You deeper

See Pre-Courus, lines 1-3.

Lord, I will open up again
Throw my fears into the wind

Hillsong is not afraid to be vulnerable with God, as taught in the Psalms.

I am desperate for a touch of heaven

That is, Hillsong longs to experience God’s Presence.

[Verse 2]

You’re the fire in the morning
You’re the cool in the evening
The breath in my soul
Oh, the life in my bones
There is no hesitation
In Your love and affection
It’s the sweetest of all

Knowing God personally is the most important thing Hillsong possesses (Philippians 3:8-10).

[Bridge]

I’ll open up my heart to You
I’ll open up my heart to You now
So do what only You can
Jesus, have Your way in me now

Hillsong surrenders to Christ (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).

I’ll open up my heart to You
I’ll open up my heart to You now
So do what only You can
Jesus, have Your way in me now
I’ll open up my heart to You
I’ll open up my heart to You now
So do what only You can
Jesus, have Your way in me now

Repeats lines 1-4.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Hillsong’s language sounds similar to describing a human lover, except that they explicitly use the name “Jesus”.  Unbelievers will likely conclude that Christians love to be with their Jesus!  I doubt that they will think it’s a sexual encounter (“Jesus, have Your way in me now”), except for those with perverted minds.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Jesus that Hillsong wants Him more than anything else, willing to open up to Him and listen to what He says.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Hillsong Worship’s Touch of Heaven is Biblical.  It expresses Hillsong’s longing for more of Christ’s Presence, sacrificing their wants to attain it.  This glorifies God.  Unbelievers should easily interpret this as a spiritual encounter with the Most High.

I highly recommend it for corporate worship.  Those concerned with its lack of theological depth, but still wish to worship with this song, should consider balancing it with a theologically meatier song.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Touch of Heaven (Live) (listen to the song)

Artist: Hillsong Worship

Album: There Is More (Live)

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2018

Duration: 7:08

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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.