Paul Wilbur – For Your Name Is Holy

American Contemporary Christian artist Pail Wilbur began his career in 1979 as part of the group Harvest, releasing his self-titled album in 1979 and Morning Sun in 1981.  He left them and joined Israel’s Hope, releasing another self-titled album in 1985 and Arise O Lord in 1987.  He left in 1991 to start his solo career, which includes a jaw-dropping 28 albums!

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1. What message does the song communicate?

Paul Wilbur enters the eternal tabernacle through the blood of Jesus and worships God, praying that His Spirit guides and covers us.

Score: 10/10

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

This song aligns with God’s inspired Word.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Stanza 1]

I enter the Holy of Holies
I enter through the blood of the Lamb

The Holy of Holies is an Old Testament concept.  In Israel’s history, there existed a temple with an outer and inner-sanctuary, separated by a veil.  Within the inner-sanctuary was a tabernacle, or the “most holy place”, which contained the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant.  Only the high priest could enter once a year to make atonement for Israel through the shedding of the innocent blood of animals.  These elements are temporary and point to a greater and more permanent tabernacle.

According to Hebrews 9:1-28, Christ is our permanent high priest, who entered through this eternal tabernacle that is not man-made.  It is through the shed blood of Lamb, Jesus (Revelation 7:14 and Revelation 12:11), that we may enter eternal life.  There is no other name by which we can be saved (John 14:6 and Acts 4:12).

I enter to worship You only

As commanded in Deuteronomy 6:13, reiterated in 1 Samuel 7:3, and quoted by Jesus to rebuke the Devil in Matthew 4:10 and Luke 4:8, we are to worship God only.  This is Wilbur’s motivation to enter into the Holy of Holies.

I enter to honor I Am

“I AM” is one of the many names of God, recorded in Exodus 3:14, used by Jesus to describe Himself in John 8:58.  Wilbur enters to honor God.

[Stanza 2]

Lord I worship You, I worship You

With all of his heart, Wilbur worships God (Psalm 86:12, Psalm 103:1-2, Psalm 103:22, Psalm 119:10, and Psalm 138:1).

Lord I worship You, I worship You

Repeats line 1.

For Your name is Holy, Holy Lord

The name of God and Jesus is holy (Mark 1:24, Luke 4:34, Acts 3:14, Acts 4:27-30, 1 John 2:20, Hebrews 7:26, and Revelation 4:8).

For Your name is Holy, Holy Lord

Repeats line 3.

[Stanza 3]

Let the weight of Your glory cover us
Let the life of Your river flow
Let the truth of Your kingdom reign in us

Wilbur offers these prayers to God, that the Holy Spirit would continue to work on us, convicting us of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8), compelling us to surrender (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).

Let the weight of Your glory
Let the weight of Your glory fall

Essentially repeats line 1.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Some of the details about the “blood of the lamb” and the “Holy of Holies” might be fuzzy to an unbeliever, but they should believe that Christians worship God.  The “blood of the lamb” sounds like it could be about Jesus from their perspective.

Score: 8/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God that Wilbur enters into the Holy of Holies through Jesus, worshipping Him.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Paul Wilbur’s For Your Name Is Holy is a short song about worshipping God.  We enter into the holiest inner-sanctum through the sacrificed blood of Jesus, worshipping and praising God.  This glorifies God.  Unbelievers will have little to no trouble interpreting similarly, even if they don’t fully get its deeper Old Testament meaning.

For those looking for simplicity in their worship set, I highly recommend this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 9.5/10

Artist Info

Track: For Your Name Is Holy (listen to the song)

Artist: Paul Wilbur

Album: Jerusalem Arise!

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 1999

Duration: 6:35

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*Copyright © 1999 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (ASCAP) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

03/25/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.