Matt Redman – Holy (Jesus You Are)

Matt Redman is a household name, humbly beginning with his band Soul Survivor at the ripe old age of 15.  He left his band to pursue his solo career, releasing 15 studio albums and 4 live albums.  This doesn’t include compilation albums.

He won numerous awards, including two Grammy’s, ten Dove’s, and one Cranmer Award for his work.

Also, check out my other Matt Redman reviews.

Lyrics can be found at https://www.worshiptogether.com/songs/holy-jesus-you-are/.  I apologize for the guitar chords.  This is the best version I could find that contains a Verse/Chorus/Bridge structure.

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.

1. What message does the song communicate?

It makes several statements about Jesus:

• None could love more than He does.
• None are more valuable than He is.
• None could see His face in all of His full glory and live in their mortal bodies.
• He is set apart.
• He is worthy of praise and adoration.
• His name resurrected people from their state of spiritual death.
• His illumination shines through the shadows.
• His people will see Him as He is in their spiritual bodies.
• None compare to Him.
• He is the living God.
• He is the great I AM.
• His name is above all others.
• He is trusted by Redman.
• He will come again to judge those alive and those who are not.
• Everyone will see Him on that day.

Score: 10/10

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

The whole kit and caboodle lines up with Scripture.

[Verse 1]

Lines 1-4: There is none more important than God (Philippians 3:8-10) or are there any who loves more than He did, since He is love (1 John 4:8) and our very nature is tainted with sin (Jeremiah 17:9).

Lines 5-7: According to Exodus 33:20, none shall see His face while remaining alive.

[Chorus]

Side Note: The lyrics in the URL above have Chorus broken up into 1 and 2.  This is because the chords are different, not the lyrics.  Also, line one should say “You are” Holy, Holy, Holy.

Lines 1 and 2: Borrows from Revelation 4:8.

Line 3: Repeats line 1.

Lines 4 and 5: Essentially repeats the first part of line 1, adding that Jesus is the object of worship.

[Verse 2]

Lines 1 and 2: Those who call upon the name of Jesus will be saved (Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13).

Lines 3 and 4: His light drives out darkness (Psalm 107:10-16, Luke 1:79, John 1:1-13, John 12:46, Ephesians 5:8, Colossians 1:13, and 1 Peter 2:9).

Lines 5-7: In contrast to, but not in contradiction with Verse 1, lines 5-7, according to Revelation 22:4, those who are His will see His face post-physical death.

Line 8: No one (Exodus 8:10, Exodus 9:14, Deuteronomy 3:24, Deuteronomy 33:26, Jeremiah 10:6, 1 Samuel 2:2, 2 Samuel 7:22, 1 Kings 8:23, 1 Chronicles 17:20, Psalm 86:8, Psalm 89:6, Psalm 113:5-6, Jeremiah 10:7, Isaiah 40:18, and Isaiah 46:9).

[Bridge]

Lines 1 and 2: Probably a reference to Romans 14:11.

Lines 3 and 4: This is the name God gave Himself in Exodus 3:14, used by Jesus in John 8:58.

Line 5: A title attributed to Jesus (Philippians 2:9).

Line 6: Redman believes Jesus.

[Verse 3]

Lines 1 and 2: The second coming of Christ, where He will judge the world (Matthew 24:43, Acts 1:9-11, 1 Corinthians 11:26, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 16:15, and Revelation 19:11-16).

Lines 3 and 4: As stated in Revelation 1:7.  Line 4 repeats Verse 2, line 7.

Line 5: Repeats Verse 2, line 8.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

All the points I listed in section 1 are easily understood from an unbeliever’s perspective and limited Biblical knowledge.  All of it points directly to Christianity, especially the explicit name “Jesus” used in Chorus.  Redman’s lyrics are written in the common tongue intermixed with Christianese, making it easy for them to digest.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Jesus with all the acts and attributes listed in section 1.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Matt Redman’s Holy (Jesus You Are) is set apart from others.  It presents Biblical concepts such as sovereignty, salvation, and eschatology, and makes them accessible to those who don’t yet know Christ.  This makes it easier for them to interpret accurately.  Those who hear this song will think Christians believe Jesus is holy, worthy of praise, light itself, love embodied, vitally important, and will return to earth.  This brings Jesus glory.

I highly recommend this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Holy (Jesus You Are) (Live) (listen to the song)

Artist: Matt Redman

Album: 10,000 Reasons (Live)

Genre: Rock

Release Year: 2011

Duration: 7:14

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