Hillsong Worship – Yahweh

Hillsong Church is a megachurch founded in 1983 in Baulkham Hills, New South Wales, Australia.  It was formerly led by Hillsong Founder Brian Houston.  Hillsong possesses a massive discography, spanning across four music ministries.  These include Hillsong UNITED, Hillsong Worship, Hillsong Young & Free, and Hillsong Kids.

Hillsong has won several 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?

Yahweh is:

• Everlasting
• Sovereignty is founded on strength and mercy
• Exalted by creation
• The object of our worship and focus
• The source of our hope
• The greatest to love
• Our God

Score: 10/10

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

Yes.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

This song does not contain a Chorus/Verse/Bridge structure.  Therefore, I assigned stanzas to each paragraph.

[Stanza 1]

Our God He lives forever

God is eternal (Deuteronomy 33:27, 1 Chronicles 16:34, Job 36:26, Psalm 48:14, Psalm 90:2-4, Psalm 102:12, Psalm 102:26-27, Proverbs 8:23, Isaiah 40:28, Isaiah 41:4, Habakkuk 1:12, John 17:5, Romans 1:20, 1 Corinthians 2:7, Ephesians 1:4, Hebrews 1:11-12, 1 Peter 1:20, 2 Peter 3:8, Revelation 1:8, Revelation 11:17, and Revelation 22:13).

And He reigns with power and love

According to Psalm 89:14, righteousness, justice, mercy, and truth are four pillars that are foundational to God’s throne.

Let earth bow down before Him
For He is exalted

The heavens declare His glory (Psalm 19:1-4) and every knee will confess Him as Lord (Isaiah 45:43, Romans 14:11, and Philippians 2:10-11).

[Stanza 2]

And we look to Yahweh, Yahweh

The English pronunciation of the tetragrammaton “YHWH” or “YHVH”.  We’re not sure if “Yahweh” is the correct way to pronounce it; However, we know what we mean, and God knows what we mean when we pronounce it this way.  Besides, if it was that important that we pronounce His name correctly, He would have preserved it.

Hillsong fixes their eyes on God (Hebrews 12:2).

Forever Yahweh, Yahweh

See Stanza 1, line 1.

[Stanza 3]

So our hope is God almighty

As written in Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 33:20, Psalm 39:7, Psalm 62:5, Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 11:28-30, Romans 5:1-8, Romans 8:24-39, Romans 15:13, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58, and 1 Peter 1:3-6.

And His love is Greater than all

As demonstrated on the cross (John 3:16, Romans 5:5-8, and 1 John 4:9-10).

So lift high the God of heaven
And give all the honor

Hillsong urges us to follow alongside the rest of creation in Stanza 1, lines 3 and 4.

[Stanza 4]

So we look to Yahweh, Yahweh
Our hope is Yahweh, Yahweh

Essentially repeats stanza 2.

[Stanza 5]

And He shall reign forever

Not only is God eternal (see Stanza 1, line 1), so is His reign (Exodus 15:18, Psalm 10:16, Psalm 29:10, Psalm 92:8, Psalm 145:13, Psalm 146:10, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 11:10, Lamentations 5:19, Daniel 4:3, Daniel 4:34, Daniel 6:26, Micah 4:7, Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1-6, John 12:15, John 18:37, 1 Timothy 1:17, 1 Timothy 6:13-16, 1 Peter 5:1, Revelation 11:15, Revelation 17:14, and Revelation 19:11-16).

He shall reign forever
He shall reign forever and ever

Repeats/essentially repeats line 1.

[Stanza 6]

And He shall reign forever
He shall reign forever
He shall reign forever and ever
Our God

Repeats/essentially repeats Stanza 5, adding “Our God” to identify the object of worship.

[Stanza 7]

He is our God
He is

Why yes, yes He is!

[Stanza 8]

And we look to Yahweh, Yahweh
Forever Yahweh, Yahweh

Repeats Stanza 2.

And we look to Yahweh, Yahweh

Repeats line 1.

Our hope is Yahweh, Yahweh

See Stanza 3, line 1.

[Stanza 9]

And we look to Yahweh, Yahweh
Forever Yahweh, Yahweh

Repeats Stanza 8, lines 1 and 2.

[Stanza 10]

And He shall reign forever
He shall reign forever
He shall reign forever and ever

Repeats Stanza 5.

[Stanza 11]

And He shall reign forever
He shall reign forever
He shall reign forever and ever
Our God

Repeats Stanza 6.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

The song’s opening two Stanzas make it clear that this song is Christian, cemented by the name “Yahweh”.  Jewish scholars will quickly point out that we’re probably mispronouncing YHWH/YHVH.  Thus, some Jewish people will take offense to the name “Yahweh”.  However, this is more an issue with use than interpretation.  It’s difficult to say Christians are wrong if they don’t know how to pronounce it!

The rest of the song is easy to interpret, written in plain language.  Christians worship God because He is loving, strong, and His hope lasts forever.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Yahweh as our loving Father whose fair and gracious rule and reign, as well as existence, is for all time.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Hillsong Worship’s Yahweh is Biblical. Yahweh is our Lord and God, whose lovingkindness and justice are the foundations of His eternal Kingship. whose followers adore and worship Him. He is our source of love, kindness, and hope. These glorify Him. Unbelievers should easily interpret similarly.

Although a bit repetitious for my liking (but not overwhelmingly so), this song is appropriate for corporate worship.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Yahweh (listen to the song)

Artist: Hillsong Worship

Album: Faith + Hope + Love

Genre: Rock

Release Year: 2009

Duration: 4:50

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

*Copyright © 2009 Hillsong Music Publishing (APRA) (adm. in the US and Canada at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.