Photo by Dominik Schröder
American Pop and Contemporary Christian artist Lenny LeBlanc started his career in 1975 with Pete Carr. He eventually pursued a solo career and gave his life to Christ in 1980, switching from secular to Christian music with his first Christian album, Say a Prayer.
He released three secular albums and seven Christian albums, including
- Lenny LeBlanc (1976)
- Midnight Light (1978)
- Breakthrough (1980)
- Say a Prayer (1983)
- Person to Person (1984)
- Prisoner of Love (1991)
- Pure Heart (1991)
- All My Dreams (1994)
- The Bridge (1996)
- Above All (1999)
His song Above All, co-written with Paul Baloche and covered by Michael W. Smith, won a Dove award in 2003 for Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year.
Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Lenny-leblanc-above-all-lyrics.
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 higher than worldly government, worldly wisdom, and all creation. He is more precious than the totality of human riches; measureless in value. He was crucified and buried in a tomb for LeBlanc’s lawbreaking and thought of LeBlanc…above all? No. As I will explain in more detail in section 2, it is the will and glory of the Father that Jesus thought above all, not His sacrifice for wicked, undeserving sinners.
Score: 8/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
Almost all of it is Biblical except the last line of Stanzas 3, 6, 7, and 8. Jesus thought of the Father’s glory “above all”, not us.
This song does not contain a Verse/Chorus/Bridge structure. Therefore, I assigned stanzas to each paragraph.
[Stanza 1]
Line 1: That is, Jesus is King of kings (Deuteronomy 10:17, Psalm 136:3, Daniel 2:47, Matthew 28:18, 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 1:5, Revelation 17:14, and Revelation 19:16).
Line 2: That is, Jesus is sovereign over creation (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).
Line 3: That is, worldly wisdom. His ways are better than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Line 4: References the eternality of Christ (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).
[Stanza 2]
Line 1: See Stanza 1, line 1.
Line 2: See Stanza 1, line 2.
Lines 3 and 4: All other worldly possessions are counted as loss compared to knowing Jesus (Philippians 3:8-10).
[Stanza 3]
Lines 1-5: Yes, Jesus’ payment 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) was an incredible sacrifice. He was indeed thinking of LeBlanc as He went through the process of bearing LeBlanc’s sins. He was also placed in a tomb, sealed with a stone (Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-46, Luke 23:50-56, and John 19:38-42).
The trouble is this last line, “above all”. While LeBlanc is grateful that Christ paid for his lawbreaking, he (as well as the rest of us) were not Jesus’ top priority. Yes, He left His throne and glory to die for us (Philippians 2:5-8); However, Jesus’ highest thoughts were to glorify the name of the Father (John 12:27-28). He came to do the will of the Father (Matthew 26:39-44, Mark 14:35-36, Luke 22:41-42, John 4:34, John 5:30, and John 6:38). The Apostle Paul also states that our redemption exists to glorify the Father (Ephesians 1:13-14). Therefore, Jesus thought of the Father and His glory “above all”, not us.
Perhaps if line 4’s “and thought of me” is replaced with “and thought of God”, it would improve; However, it would also lose its statement that Jesus thought of us during His crucifixion.
[Stanza 4]
Lines 1-4: Repeats Stanza 1.
[Stanza 5]
Lines 1-4: Repeats Stanza 2.
[Stanza 6]
Lines 1-5: Repeats Stanza 3.
[Stanza 7]
Lines 1-6: Repeats Stanza 3 with an added lead-in.
[Stanza 8]
Lines 1-3: Repeats Stanza 3, lines 3-5.
Score: 8/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
Unbelievers should arrive at similar conclusions as I. LeBlanc’s language is easy to comprehend, written in everyday language with an explicit reference to the cross, easing a Christian interpretation.
My biggest concern is about LeBlanc’s error regarding Jesus’ thoughts, that unbelievers will think that they are more important than God. It has the potential to feed into “I am the most important thing” mentality that plagues our Western society.
Score: 7/10
4. What does this song glorify?
It glorifies God that it declares Him above many things only veiled by stating that He thought of us “above all” rather than the Father’s Glory.
Score: 8/10
Closing Comments
Lenny LeBlanc’s Above All is a good song with an unfortunate error. It hails Christ as He who is above government, nationalities, creation, man’s understanding, and earthly treasure, bringing Him glory. He thought of us while dying for our sins; However, LeBlanc is incorrect that it was “above all”. Christ thought of the will and glory of the Father above all, not us. While those who do not yet know Jesus will easily comprehend LeBlanc’s overall message, his “above all” statement may add fuel to self-importance that ignores God’s will.
I find it difficult to recommend this song for corporate worship.
Final Score: 8/10
Artist Info
Track: Above All (Live) (listen to the song)
Artist: Lenny LeBlanc
Album: Above All (Live)
Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)
Release Year: 1999
Duration: 4:45
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
Updates:
03/25/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.
07/19/2020 – Updated wording in my commentary on Stanza 3 away from presumption of authorial intent. Thank you, Dave, for pointing this out!
Comments
Dave Barneck
Hi, I just read the review for Lenny Leblanc’s song above all. I just wanted to point out a slightly different perspective to the last line of stanzas 3,6,7 and 8. I personally don’t know what Lenny’s intent was in that line, and I suppose that unless you may have spoken to him personally and he explained his intent, it may not be fair or even correct to suggest what he meant. But I think it would be of value to consider a different perspective. If it weren’t for us, there would have been no reason for the crucifixion/sacrifice. It was totally done out of love for us. But it was also the Father’s will. And that was because of HIS love for us. Yes we sin, yes we do stupid stuff, partly because the world is a fallen place, partly because of influences in our lives, partly because of the choices we make. But I think it was always the Father’s will for Jesus to help us, instruct us and lift us above the fallen state of this mortal existence so that we might live with the Father throughout eternity. Part of that process was of course paying for our sins. Whether Jesus was thinking about the Father more than us, I don’t know. Maybe it was more like one doesn’t go without the other. We should never forget that it was for us, that it was done, which of course glorifies the Father, because we are HIS kids, HIS children, and HIS love is the reason for it all.
Vince Wright
Dave,
Thank you for your thoughts!
Your commentary on presuming LeBlanc’s intent without an interview or inside knowledge is duly noted. I should have worded it better to explain that it’s my opinion on what I thought LeBlanc attempted to communicate. I’ve updated the wording.
As for the “above all” portion, you’re correct that it was the Father’s will for Christ to suffer for us (Revelation 13:8). However, the question I addressed was, “did Jesus think of us above all, including the Father?” I laid out a case for why Jesus thought of the Father “above all” and not us; However, even if I grant your position, that “I don’t know”, that is, Christ thought of us and the Father in equal measure, then the “above all” portion of this song is still left unsupported by Scripture.
-Vince Wright
Paul
Hey, isn’t the end of the third verse just the beginning of the fourth verse, like the the beginning of the refrain and the idea or thought conveyed in that verse ends the last second line and the last line is unrelated to it. I believe this would explain the contradiction.
Vince Wright
Paul,
Thank you for your comment!
If LeBlanc meant to change the meaning of Stanza 1 in Stanza 5, from Jesus is above all powers, kings, nations, etc. to Jesus thought of me above all powers, kings, nations, etc., the best way to convey that is to end Stanza 4 with “You took the fall and thought of me”. By adding “above all”, this completes the sentence and ends the thought. While your interpretation would resolve the contradiction, it doesn’t flow naturally from “you thought of me above all” to “you thought of me above all powers, above all kings”, etc. At least, not for me.
-Vince Wright
Don
I tend to agree with Paul’s comment in a sense that the “above all” in stanza 3 is already defined in the “above all” by stanza 1 & 2 (power, kings, nature etc.) many times. In fact, stanza 1 & 2 have declared the glory and sovereignty of God. Interpreting Jesus thought of us above God’s glory contradicts the context and cohesion of the song.
Edson Siwella
Not only contradicts the rest already said the words are personal idolatry …like saying “I …above all powers, kings…”
Herecy!!!!
Laura Baker
I do wish we could change the last phrase of the song, to prevent this controversy. But, I have never thought that the song addressed “me” or “I” until the very last phrase. To me, the song means that God/Christ are above all. . . but thought of me, as He was crushed, above all.
Robert Swaim
I concur with your review. Kinda saddened me as I listened but when I sing it I can make it fit God’s Word a little better. 😍
Vince Wright
Robert,
I wasn’t happy either because I really liked this song growing up.
-Vince Wright
yewtee
Here’s my interpretation:
The writer didn’t say specifically that Christ put us above God’s will as you erroneously presumed.
As in the first two stanzas, only these items were mentioned:
1) powers
2) kings
3) nature
4) all created things
5) wisdom (worldly)
6) all the ways of men
7) kingdoms
8) thrones
9) wonders (worldly)
10) wealth
11) treasures of the earth
So, did Christ put us above all of the mentioned items? The answer is obviously. Please do not put your own words into what’s not mentioned.
Vince Wright
yewtee,
Thank you for your comment!
My comment was on the placement of the lyric
“You took the fall and thought of me
Above all”
It seems to me that most people think this lyric only refers to the list (and perhaps a few things I forgot to mention). But, it’s not clear (at least to me) that it should be interpreted that way. The lyric explicitly says, “above all”, and that’s it. Above all, meaning above everything listed, and above all things not listed also. Above angelic beings. Above His purpose and will. Above His relationship with Jesus. Above bringing glory to the Father. Above all. Period.
-Vince Wright
Neal Cruco
Vince,
I simply cannot agree with this interpretation. True, “above all” would mean “above everything, period” without context or qualification. But we have that qualification, and it changes everything. The question “Above all…what?” is answered in the long list of “above all” statements given beforehand. If that list were not there, we would assume, based on the rules of English, that the answer is “everything, without qualification”. But it is, and it limits the scope of the statement in the chorus.
Vince Wright
Neal,
I just learned today that John Piper also had an issue with this line!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82x3ojTy6o8&t=182s&ab_channel=StJra
He also stated that if by “above all”, it meant “above all creation”, then he would be OK with it. But, that’s not what it says.
Jane
Hi Vince,
I just listened to this song the first time today and immediately fell in love with its melody. But the last sentence of the chorus “You took the fall and thought of me, above all” left me perplexed. That’s why I searched up if the lyrics of this song is biblical or not. I agree with your viewpoint about the phrase “above all”. The ultimate reason for Jesus Christ to come down and be crucified is for the Father’s glory. Jesus Christ said that multiple times throughout the whole Gospels. I love this song so much and want to share it with my friends but now I don’t want to anymore just because of that little, evitable mistake.
Emma
Hi Jane
We sing this song in our church congregation but have changed the line to “you took the fall, and were glorified, above all” and it seems to work well 🙂
Tyrone
Hi Vince. I appreciate someone voicing concerns over lyrics – “Spirit and truth”. I know a number of believers who delight in the song with exception of the last lines. We actually modified the lyrics to be consistent with the theme of the song which is absolutely true in regard to the son who has been given the name Above All names. The problem to my mind was it finished with the focus on me (not us) and even if it had been plural – it stopped at the crucifixion. If indeed the intent of the song was to proclaim Jesus above all then it needs to include the resurrection. So we changed the lyrics somewhat so it consistently proclaims Christ above all. So the movement is Crucified Buried Raised Exalted!
Crucified
Laid behind the stone
Raised to life
You overcame death’s hold
Now we come to bow before your throne
King of kings, Lord of Lords
Above all
Vince Wright
Tyrone,
I love it!
-Vince Wright
RadarRecon
Try as I might, I can’t find a scriptural reference that says “Jesus left his throne and (or in) glory,” even in the reference above to Phil. 2:5-8.
He is currently on God’s throne with God (Heb. 12:2; Rev. 3:21; 22:1,3), and he will, in the future in his reign on earth, sit on the throne of his father David.
While I’m at it, I also can’t find “give your heart to Jesus,” “ask Jesus into your heart,” or that we need a “personal savior.” All it says is “believe,” “have faith.”
And many other Christian ideas didn’t come from Scripture except through eisegesis – or pure invention.
Vince Wright
RadarRecon,
Thank you for your comment! See my response to Neal’s response, below.
As for “give your heart to Jesus”, no, there’s no Scripture that literally says “give your heart to Jesus” nor does the phrase imply that we rip out our heart organ and offer it to Christ! If we look at definition #5 for heart in Merriam-Webster, it says, “one’s innermost character, feelings, or inclinations”. Do we offer our innermost character, feelings, or inclinations to Jesus? Yes, we do.
According to Jeremiah 17:9, our heart, from the Hebrew word “leb”, which means “inner man, mind, will, heart, (see https://biblehub.com/interlinear/jeremiah/17-9.htm and https://biblehub.com/hebrew/3820.htm) is deceitful above all other things and desperately wicked. According to Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24, these former passions were crucified with Christ. According to Psalm 51:10, Jeremiah 24:7, Ezekiel 11:19, Ezekiel 36:26, and Romans 2:29, God gave Israel (and us, under the New Covenant) a new heart. Yes, “leb” is the Hebrew word for all the Old Testament passages referenced. In the New Testament, the Koine Greek term is “kardia”, which means “the heart; mind, character, inner self, will, intention, center” (see https://biblehub.com/interlinear/romans/2-29.htm and https://biblehub.com/greek/2588.htm). Also, see 2 Corinthians 5:17 regarding “new creation”. We give our heart, our innermost being, to God in exchange for His heart.
Therefore, I include that the phrase “give your heart to Jesus” is Biblical. It is saying that we offer our innermost being to God: our intentions, desires, and feelings, in exchange for His. However, if we are to use this phrase, I recommend we add “in exchange for His” so that others will know we receive Christ’s perfect heart in exchange for our wicked heart.
The phrase “ask Jesus into your heart” comes somewhat from Revelation 3:20; However, the passage doesn’t mention the word “heart” nor does it ask Jesus to do something for us, but rather, for us to open the door so that He can come in. I understand the sentiment and it sounds a bit like “give your heart to Jesus”, but the phrase makes it sound like Jesus comes in without requiring repentance or surrender on our part. Got Questions offers ample criticism of this phrase (see https://www.gotquestions.org/ask-Jesus-into-heart.html).
Finally, accepting Jesus as one’s “personal savior” means to place one’s personal trust in the Savior. To trust in Jesus is to “believe” and “have faith”, as you put it. Keep in mind that trust is not merely a mental acknowledgment of God’s existence, but requires sacrifice on our part, to forsake our former lifestyle of sin and embrace obedience to Christ’s teachings. As it succinctly says in 1 Peter 1:16, it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy”, referencing Leviticus 11:44, Leviticus 19:2, and Leviticus 20:7.
It would be helpful if pastors and teachers explained what these phrases mean instead of just using them, assuming that their audience knows what they mean.
-Vince Wright
**Edited based on conversation with Neal Cruco.**
RadarRecon
Thank you for your reply, Vince. I was simply trying to point out the prevalent Christian idea of – perhaps unintentionally – adding to Scripture by inserting almost subliminal ideas. While the intent is possibly to present the Savior in a more personal light, other words are added to Bible teaching which seem to have made long-lasting “doctrines” that just ignore what the Word says. (BTW, you may know this, but the word “doctrine,” by dictionary definition, means what is taught or what is believed. It’s not necessarily the truth.)
For instance, “Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plain,” and “Hark, the herald angels sing.” One old gospel song even mentions “Sweetest note in seraph song.” It’s bad enough that angels are not mentioned as “singing” even in the nativity story, but seraphim (much less cherubim) are not even “angels” (malakhim). They are fiery serpents, untranslated only twice, translated several more times. Song writers / poets take many liberties with “literary license.” And how many pictures do we see with angel wings. Again, not scriptural. Maybe they do have them – but not reported.
Other misconceptions through preachers’ words:
Saul’s name was “changed” to Paul (Acts 13:9).
“Jesus is the only way to be saved.” (1 Tim. 1:1; Jude 25 among others).
The devil’s name is “Lucifer,” a misconception through failure to read in context Is. 14:4.
The Nile is the “river of Egypt.” “Nile” is not even named in the Bible. It’s called “the stream” in most instances, and the “river of Egypt” is also translated as a “brook,” “wadi,” or “torrent,” even though most of the year it’s a dry stream bed.
“Jesus was born in a manger.” (Ridiculous.)
And many other flights of fancy to sound erudite.
If only our official national language were Hebrew as some of our founding fathers wanted.
Neal Cruco
Vince,
How did Jesus *not* leave His throne and glory? RadarRecon has claimed that Phil 2:5-8 doesn’t support this claim, but hasn’t explained what the passage does say, if not that.
How does one reconcile the claim that Jesus never left his throne and glory with the Biblical claim that “He gave up his divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being,”?
How can one acknowledge that Jesus came to this earth in the form of a helpless baby (both physically and mentally), to eventually die the long, slow, torturous, undeserved death of a criminal, while also claiming that He maintained His divine throne and glory throughout?
This is one of the most bizarre claims I have ever heard on this website, but you accepted it without argument. So what do I not understand?
Vince Wright
Neal,
Thank you for your comment!
No, you haven’t missed anything. I focused too much on Radar’s position and gave no thought as to why I hold the position that Jesus left His throne and glory.
Philippians also says Jesus “emptied Himself”. What did He empty Himself of? Kingship and glory seem to fit the bill.
Also, according to Hebrews 2:7, He was for a while “lower than the angels”, pointing to His high position. This implies that He was above them before He became a man, indicating His rulership over them.
I was mistaken and apologize for being taken so easily. I must think more carefully before changing my mind.
I’ve reverted the review back to its previous version.
-Vince Wright
Nathan Himbeault
Thank you for your review. I agree with your concern with that last line of the Chorus, and recently had a Pastor friend convict me of this poor line after he did a pulpit swap at our church and our worship team included this song in the service.
I recently changed that final line slightly and think it works and sounds a lot better, especially in context with the rest of the song:
“You took the fall, and now You reign, above all.”
Very simple change but I have had good feedback from some in my congregation already!
Thanks for all you do here! I recently found your site, and will be spending a lot more time here as I have felt God leading me as a young worship leader to be more discerning with my song choices as of late.
Vince Wright
Nathan,
Welcome to The Berean Test!
Thank you for your compliment and suggestion for alternative lyrics. I like it!
-Vince Wright
Nathan Himbeault
Thanks for the quick reply Vince!
Just read your testimony, and can relate to your story in many ways.
God bless you and the work you are doing!
Gary Brumley
I no longer use this song, but when I did, I would change “and thought of me above all” to “and rose again above all.” Problem solved.
laura baker
Besides loving all Paul Baloche’s melodies, I love the message in this song. The lyrics list “all things” that Christ discounted, so that He could save US. It’s very obvious to me that the lyric doesn’t place us above God Himself; the lyric says Christ thought of US, above all those other worldly things. I DO APPRECIATE YOUR WORK in examining hymn lyrics, but this one is fine with me.
Bryan Cole
Great answer Laura Baker. While I also am very thankful for leaders who are concerned about scriptural integrity, music and lyrics are very personable. For me, this song drives home God’s love for humanity. When kept in that perspective, I see nothing wrong with the lyric either. 🙂
Spirit and Truth Ministries
I also agree for one reason:
Jesus IS God. (See John 1:1-5)
Allie Hill
Fantastic discussion! Really great to search the scriptures honestly and carefully. I love the song but will sing the last bit differently now. It did make me feel a bit queasy I must admit. Thankyou all so much.
Steven
Hello, I write address the Mar 16 2021 comment:
Quote: “He thought of us while dying for our sins; However, LeBlanc is incorrect that it was “above all”. Christ thought of the will and glory of the Father above all, not us.”
This section of the lyrics has been a point of discussion among our Christian friends, all who love this song.
My interpretation is that Mr Lenny LeBlanc was indeed referring to Jesus and His sacrifice in the final 2 words of the Chorus, ‘above all’.
The ambiguity appears to have been caused by ellipsis, a linguistic feature in writing (“… the omission from a sentence or other construction of one or more words that would complete or clarify the construction…”, Dictionary.com).
If one reads the line ‘Like a rose …’ as 1 sentence, the omitted phrase just before the final 2 words would appear to be ‘and therefore, He (Jesus) is …. above all’, which would then give the necessary focus on Jesus as being above everything.
Moreover, musically, the pause in lyrics just before the final 2 words of the Chorus would highlight this idea, and remind us that (He/Jesus is) above all.
Vince Wright
Steven,
Thank you for your comments!
There’s just as much of a pause between “You took the fall” and “and thought of me”. It would then read “You took the fall….and thought of me…above all”. How should we interpret the first pause? Is there a different focus on “You took the fall” than there is on “and you thought of me”? If not, then why treat the second pause differently than the first?
-Vince Wright
CB
I love this song melodically and thematically. I’ve only ever had a problem with the last part of the “chorus”
I guess I could just do:
Like a rose, trampled on the ground
You took the fall, for God’s glory
Above all