Hillsong Young & Free – Sinking Deep

Hillsong is a church-based organization that heavily influenced Christian music.  Their work is all over the place: in radio, church worship, and youth events.  This Australian-based collective has a discography so large, I dare not count it.  Sinking Deep is my 26th review of their work.

For those who aren’t aware, Hillsong Music comprises several artist groups, including:

• Hillsong United
• Hillsong Worship
• Hillsong Young & Free
• Hillsong Kids

Also, check out my entire list of Hillsong reviews and Christmas song, 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 makes a series of points about themselves and about “You”, revealed as Jesus in Bridge.

Jesus is:

• Loving
• Gracious
• Glorious
• Beautiful
• Hillsong’s most important pursuit

Hillsong is:

• Won over by Christ’s perfect love (implied sacrifice)
• Immersed in the Holy Spirit
• Surrendered to Jesus
• Protected by Christ
• No longer afraid

Score: 10/10

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

All the lyrics are Biblical.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

Standing here in Your presence
In a grace so relentless
I am won
Oh, by perfect love
Wrapped within the arms of heaven
In a peace that lasts forever
Sinking deep
In mercy’s sea

It is Christ’s kindness that leads Hillsong to repentance (Romans 2:4), shown on the cross (John 3:16, Romans 5:6-8, and 1 John 4:9-10).  By receiving God’s undeserved favor (Luke 18:9-14, Acts 13:39, Romans 3:20-30, Romans 4:1-7, Romans 8:3, Romans 9:16, Romans 9:31-32, Romans 11:6, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 2:21, Galatians 3:10-12, Galatians 3:21, Galatians 5:2-4, Ephesians 2:8-9, Philippians 3:3-9, 2 Timothy 1:9, Hebrews 6:1-2, and James 2:10-11), they experience God’s Presence by immersing themselves in the Holy Spirit who lives inside them (Acts 6:5, Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:16-19, Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 5:18, and 2 Timothy 1:14) and internal peace that does not cease (John 14:27, John 16:29-33, Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:14-15, and Colossians 3:15).

[Chorus]

I’m wide awake
Drawing close, stirred by grace

It was Christ’s grace that awoke their spiritual deadness (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24).

And all my heart is Yours

Hillsong surrenders to Jesus (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).

All fear removed

His perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).

I breathe You in, I lean into
Your love
Oh, Your love

More surrender language.  See line 3.

[Verse 2]

When I’m lost, You pursue me

In much the same way as God pursued Adam and Eve after they sinned (Genesis 3:8-9) the shepherd looks for its lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7), and the woman searches for the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10), so too God pursues His children.

Lift my head to see Your glory

That is, through Jesus (John 1:14).

Lord of all

Jesus is sovereign (Genesis 1:1, Deuteronomy 4:39, Deuteronomy 10:14, Joshua 2:11, Nehemiah 9:6, Psalm 29:10, Psalm 45:6, Psalm 50:7-15, Psalm 93:1-2, Psalm 115:3, Psalm 135:6, Isaiah 43:13, Isaiah 45:9-10, Isaiah 46:10, Lamentations 5:19, Daniel 4:35, Romans 9:19-21, Ephesians 1:11, Hebrews 1:8, James 4:15, Revelation 4:11, and Revelation 20:11).

So beautiful

God is attractive (1 Chronicles 16:29, Psalm 27:4, Psalm 29:2, and Isaiah 28:5-6).

Here in You, I find shelter

God is Hillsong’s defense (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).

Captivated by the splendour
Of Your face

See line 4.

Oh, my secret place

Hillsong prays alone like Jesus did (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).

[Bridge]

Your love so deep
Is washing over me

See commentary on Verse 1, particularly, immersion of the Holy Spirit.

Your face is all I seek

Probably a reference to  Psalm 27:8 or 1 Corinthians 13:12.

You are my everything
Jesus Christ
You are my one desire
Lord, hear my only cry
To know You all my life

Hillsong fixes their eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), offering their supplication to Him (Philippians 4:6).

Love so deep
Is washing over me
Your face is all I seek
You are my everything
Jesus Christ
You are my one desire
Lord, hear my only cry
To know You all my life

Repeats lines 1-8.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Hillsong describes their experiences with Jesus that unbelievers will never understand until they have a personal relationship with Jesus.  They will conclude it’s Christian because Hillsong explicitly uses the word “Jesus Christ”.  They might infer some of what Hillsong describes (love washing over them, sinking deep, my heart is yours’, etc.) based on human love, even if they don’t experience Jesus first-hand.

Score: 6/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Jesus as Hillsong’s dependable Lord, the most important relationship they possess.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Hillsong Young & Free’s Sinking Deep is good.  It showcases Hillsong’s importance in placing Christ first, that His love conquers them, His defense protects them, and His Spirit washes them in peace, bringing Him glory.  Unbelievers can relate in human terms, but will never comprehend knowing God until they experience it for themselves.

I recommend this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 9/10

Artist Info

Track: Sinking Deep (listen to the song)

Artist: Hillsong Young & Free

EP: This Is Living – EP

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2013 (Single), 2015 (EP)

Duration: 4:08

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*Copyright © 2013 Hillsong Music Publishing (APRA) (adm. in the US and Canada at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.