Photo by Moaz Tobok
Thanksgiving is a time to remember that we’re grateful for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For 2024, I decided to honor this time of year with an artist submission.
Reawaken Hymns is a series of projects created by Nathan Drake to “develop intentional, accessible, gospel centered worship that overcomes divisions and differences” in the style of modern hymns.
More information can be found at https://www.reawakenhymns.com/.
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?
Jesus:
- Is God as man
- Is firstborn of all creation
- Left His throne to save us through His death
- Creator
- Defeated death
In response, we worship Him.
Score: 10/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
The entire song agrees with God’s inspired Word.
Lyrics posted with permission.*
[Verse 1]
The image of God the Invisible
Revealed in the Human One
Firstborn son of God
That is, Jesus. Borrows heavily from Colossians 1:15.
In Christ alone, the fullness of God is known
That is, only Jesus is God incarnate (John 1:1, John 1:14, and Colossians 2:9).
The savior who left his throne
To bring us into life
A condensed form that is based on Philippians 2:5-8.
[Chorus]
You are above all things
You are before all things
Heavily borrows from Colossians 1:17.
Through you and for you
we can stand and sing
Through and for in the sense that He created us (John 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:15-16) so that we can worship in song.
The word ‘Hallelujah” is 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” when we use this word.
Jesus you hold it all
Jesus you rule it all
Also heavily borrows from Colossians 1:17.
Only through you can we receive the prize
Of your sovereign sacrifice.
That is, eternal life. See 1 Corinthians 9:27.
[Verse 2]
The King of Kings, Nailed to that cursed tree
Acquainted with suffering
For the sins of man
The savior’s life, Given to make us right
Jesus paid the penalty for our lawbreaking (Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 1:29, John 3:16, John 19:30, Acts 4:12, Acts 20:28, Romans 5:6-10, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 1:3-4, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 2:14, 1 Timothy 2:6, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 9:26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9).
We have been reconciled
By the blood of God
As stated in 2 Corinthians 5:18.
[Bridge]
In the cross, God be praised
For the blood of the lamb who was slain
In the cross, God be praised
Where his body was broken to save
He is praised because Jesus’ death on the cross makes salvation possible. See Verse 2, lines 1-4. Line 3 repeats line 1.
In the cross, God be praised
For the cost of redemption was paid
In the cross, God be praised
Where the king of all kings made a way
Makes similar points to lines 1-4. Lines 5 and 7 repeats line 1.
On the throne, God be praised
God rules (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).
For his glory revealed on that day
See Verse 2, lines 1-4.
On the throne, God be praised
Repeats line 1.
He’s victorious over the grave.
He defeated death (Isaiah 25:8, Hosea 13:14, Luke 20:35-36, 1 Corinthians 15:24-26, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, 2 Timothy 1:10, and Hebrews 2:14).
Score: 10/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
Unbelievers will easily interpret it as Christian. Jesus, the cross, and His title as “King of Kings” are explicitly mentioned. They will think Christians worship Jesus because He saved them.
This song contains a mix of everyday and Christianese language, none of which is hard to comprehend.
Score: 10/10
4. What does this song glorify?
It glorifies Jesus as our Lord and Savior, who reconciled us to Himself through His death and subsequent resurrection.
Score: 10/10
Closing Comments
Reawaken Hymns’ Sovereign Sacrifice is excellent. It reminds us that Jesus is in control, He is the one and only Savior for mankind, and will be glorified through our worship. These points bring Him glory. Unbelievers should easily interpret similarly.
I highly recommend this song for corporate worship.
Final Score: 10/10
Artist Info
Track: Sovereign Sacrifice (listen to the song)
Artist: Reawaken Hymns
Album: N/A
Genre: Hymn
Release Year: 2024
Duration: 5:46
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
*Copyright © 2022 by Nathan Drake. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Comments
J.P.T.
Nathan Drake is the G.O.A.T. when it comes to straightforward hymn adaptations for modern ears… I used to play hymnbook hymns on guitar and just “sight-drop” (as opposed to sight-read) certain transitional chords I deemed pointless. Nathan & Reawaken Hymns makes it easier for my team to play cohesively since there is no guess work (or cross-out sessions) needed to adapt an organ- driven hymn to be played by a band or solo guitar instead.
Not surprised his Sovereign Sacrifice scored high here.