Photo by Carolina Jacomin
Michael Neale is the lead worship pastor at Prestonwood Church in Plano, Texas. His music is primarily used by other artists such as Michael W. Smith, Natalie Grant, and Kutless; However, he also released two albums and one EP:
- Made me Glad (Live) (2005)
- No Greater Audience (2007)
- Foundation (EP, 2019)
Krissy Nordhoff is a songwriter who began in 2004, releasing two albums:
- Thank Him (2004)
- Downpour (2007)
They received a Dove Award for Worship Song of the Year for Your Great Name in 2012, thanks in part due to Natalie Grant’s popularization of it.
Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Michael-neale-your-great-name-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?
This song follows a similar format to Psalm 136 in that it repeats the same statement, using other words to build upon it. It describes many general acts that occur when we hear the name of Jesus:
- Those condemned in darkness find Christ’s light in salvation
- Fear is displaced
- Enemies run away, understood as the flesh, the world, and the devil
- The weak are made strong
- Those who are spiritually thirsty will be satiated
- Those without earthly fathers will receive rest
- Physical and spiritual sicknesses will find healing
Two of these are “all” statements which are not true. Hearing the name of Jesus does not always result in transformation or trust. Some will reject Him. This has a minor effect on this song’s overall message.
Finally, Jesus is:
- Deliverer
- Mender
- Master
- Protector
- Liberator
- Ruler
- Worthy of praise
- Lifted up as the world bows and confesses Him as Lord
Score: 9/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
Most of it agrees with the Bible, except the two “all” statements in Verses 1 and 2, which are minor issues.
[Verse 1]
Lines 1 and 2: Those dead in sin and separated from God are made alive in Christ (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24) when they call upon His name for salvation (2 Samuel 22:4, Psalm 18:3, Psalm 55:16, Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, and Romans 10:9-13).
Also, the name of Jesus is greater than all other names (Philippians 2:9).
Lines 3 and 4: While it’s true that the condemned who receive Christ will have no reason to experience shame (see commentary on lines 1 and 2), others hear the name of Jesus and reject Him, earning eternal separation (Matthew 18:8, Matthew 25:41, Matthew 25:46, Mark 9:43, Jude 1:7, Revelation 14:11, and Revelation 20:10). Therefore, this statement is not 100% true.
Line 5: God calls us not fear because He will rescue (Genesis 15:1, Joshua 1:9, Deuteronomy 31:6, 1 Chronicles 28:20, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 34:4, Psalm 56:3-4, Psalm 94:19, Psalm 115:11, Psalm 118:6, Isaiah 35:4, Isaiah 41:10-13, Isaiah 43:1, Isaiah 54:4, John 14:25-27, Romans 8:15, Romans 8:38-39, 2 Timothy 1:7, Hebrews 13:5-6, 1 Peter 3:13-14, 1 Peter 5:6-7, and 1 John 4:18).
Line 6: Repeats line 2.
Line 7: That is, the flesh (John 3:6, Romans 8:5, Romans 7:14-25, Romans 8:6-14, Galatians 5:19-25, Philippians 3:18-19, Colossians 3:1-3, 1 Corinthians 2:14, and 2 Peter 2:1-10), the world (Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13, John 15:19, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 2:2, Colossians 3:1-2, 1 Timothy 6:10, 1 John 2:15-17, 1 John 3:17, 1 John 4:5, and James 4:4), and the Devil (Genesis 3:1-5, Matthew 4:11, Matthew 16:23, Mark 1:12-13, Mark 8:33, Luke 4:1-13, John 8:44, 2 Corinthians 11:3, 1 John 3:8-10, and Revelation 20:7-10).
Line 8: Repeats line 2.
[Chorus]
Lines 1 and 2a: Jesus is the lamb of God that was slain for our sins, worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing (Isaiah 53:7, John 1:29, John 1:36, 1 Peter 1:19, Revelation 5:12, and Revelation 13:8).
Line 2b: Christ is both the son of God (Matthew 11:27, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 16:15–17, Matthew 27:43, Matthew 27:54, Mark 1:11, Mark 3:11, Mark 9:7, Mark 15:39, Luke 1:35, Luke 4:41, Luke 22:29, John 1:14-18, John 1:34, John 3:16-18, John 11:27, John 19:7, John 20:31, and Acts 9:20) and the son of man (Matthew 8:20, Matthew 12:8, Matthew 12:38-42, Matthew 16:27-28, Matthew 18:11, Matthew 20:17-19, Matthew 24:30, Matthew 25:31-32, Matthew 26:64, Mark 2:27-28, Mark 8:11-13, Mark 8:31-32:38, Mark 10:32-45, Mark 14:62, Luke 6:5, Luke 9:26-27, Luke 9:58, Luke 11:29-32, and Luke 18:31-34). Both are titles that reference Christ’s divinity and humanity, respectively.
Line 3: In the literal sense, Jesus ascended to the Father (Luke 24:51, John 8:28, John 12:32, John 20:17, and Ephesians 4:8-10). In the figurative sense, we follow the example of others when we worship Christ (Matthew 14:28-33, Matthew 28:16-17, and Luke 24:50-53).
Lines 4 and 5: Every knee will bow and confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 14:11 and Philippians 2:10-11).
[Verse 2]
Lines 1 and 2: Again, this is not 100% true. Yes, we are all weak, and some find strength by trusting in God (Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 22:19, Psalm 28:7-8, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 118:14, Isaiah 12:2, Isaiah 33:2, Isaiah 40:29-31, Habakkuk 3:19, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Ephesians 3:16, Ephesians 6:10, and Philippians 4:13), but some hear the “great name” and do not receive Him, thus, they do not possess Christ’s power.
Line 3: That is, those who decide to trust in Jesus will receive the grace of God (Genesis 15:6, Exodus 33:19, Psalm 32:1-2, Romans 3:21-24, Romans 4:3-8, Romans 5:1-2, Romans 5:6-8, Romans 5:15-21, Romans 6:14, Romans 8:1-4, Romans 9:14-16, Romans 11:5-6, Galatians 2:21, Galatians 3:6, Galatians 5:4, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:4-9, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, Titus 2:11, 1 Timothy 1:15-16, and James 2:23 ).
Line 4: Repeats Verse 1, line 2.
Line 5: Those with no early father figure, weary and burdened without this important relationship find rest in Jesus (Psalm 95:6-11, Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 3:1-16, and Hebrews 4:1-16).
Line 6: Repeats Verse 1, line 2.
Line 7: Christ heals people (Matthew 8:3, Matthew 9:29-30, Matthew 20:34, Mark 1:41-42, Mark 8:22-25, Luke 5:13, Luke 7:14-15, and Luke 22:51) and raises the spiritual deadness in our hearts (see commentary on Verse 1, lines 1 and 2).
Line 8: Repeats Verse 1, line 2.
[Bridge]
Lines 1 and 2: Jesus is:
- Redeemer (John 3:16, Romans 5:6-8, 1 Corinthians 6:20, Hebrews 5:9, Hebrews 9:28, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:9, and 1 John 2:2)
- Healer (Matthew 8:3, Matthew 9:29-30, Matthew 20:34, Mark 1:41-42, Mark 8:22-25, Luke 5:13, Luke 7:14-15, and Luke 22:51)
- Lord (1 Timothy 6:15 and Revelation 19:16)
- Defender (Ruth 2:12, 2 Samuel 22:3-4, Psalm 3:3, Psalm 5:11, Psalm 18:30, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 32:7, Psalm 34:22, Psalm 41:2, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 57:1, Psalm 59:1, Psalm 61:3, Psalm 91:1-16, Psalm 118:8, Psalm 121:7-8, Psalm 138:7, Proverbs 18:10, Proverbs 30:5, Nahum 1:7, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, and 1 John 5:18)
- Savior (2 Samuel 22:4, Psalm 18:3, Psalm 55:16, Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, and Romans 10:9-13)
- King (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)
Lines 3 and 4: Repeats lines 1 and 2.
Score: 9/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
The unbeliever will likely interpret this song as an invitation to experience Jesus, with many benefits that they will receive if they put their faith in Him. They will see that Christians worship Him. It’s hard to say if unbelievers will pick up on the “all” statements as technically incorrect. However, my biggest concern is that unbelievers will think that simply invoking the name of Jesus, without repentence, is how they address shame. This potentially leads to false conversion, where they say “Jesus Jesus” and continue to live their sinful lifestyle (Matthew 7:21). However, it’s also possible that they will repent.
Score: 6/10
4. What does this song glorify?
It glorifies God in that the name of Jesus is powerful, only slightly dimmed by my quibble over “all” statements.
Score: 9/10
Closing Comments
Michael Neale and Krissy Nordhoff’s Your Great Name is a good song. It proclaims Christ as the Savior. If we trust in Him, we will not be condemned. We will find renewed strength and rest, joining the world in praising Him and bringing Him glory, only slightly dinged by “all” statements that are not important. Those who do not yet believe will experience an open invitation to follow Jesus, yet, some might misread “all condemned feel no shame” as an open invitation to continue living in sin.
I can recommend this song for corporate worship if there’s a speech/presentation that contextualizes the “all” statements as an invitation to unbelievers.
Final Score: 8.5/10
Artist Info
Track: Your Great Name (listen to Natalie Grant’s version of this song. It’s the best version)
Artist: Michael Neale and Krissy Nordhoff
Album: Various
Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)
Release Year: Various (2004 is earliest)
Duration: Various
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
Updates:
11/02/2022 – Updated section 3 and conclusion to include concern regarding unbelievers who interpret “all condemned feel no shame” as an invitation to say “Jesus” and continue to sin. Thanks to Dwayne Malley for finding it! This slightly lowered its overall score, from 9/10 to 8.5/10.
Comments
Joel
I think the “all the weak find their strength” means all the weak that do indeed find their strength, find it only in the name of Jesus, and no where else.
Also the “all condemned feel no shame at the sound of your great name” I don’t think is talking about every individual in the world, but about Christ’s sheep who hear His voice (John 10:27) and come to saving faith in Christ. Just some thoughts, love the site!
Vince Wright
Joel,
Thank you for your comment!
I suppose it depends on how you define “all”. I went at it based on the concept that the word “all” means “every member or an individual component of”. Others approach it as “all” doesn’t always mean “all”, but can mean something like “all those who found strength in Jesus”.
I took the former approach.
-Vince Wright
Dwayne malley
We sang this at church a couple weeks ago and after singing this song for years it struck me this time that one of the “all” lines…“All condemned feel no shame At the sound of Your great name” was not correct. So of course I thought I’d see what the berean test had to say. You found an issue with the same line Vince, however I see it a little differently. We have no condemnation in Christ according to Romans 8:1 “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” (LSB). So this would leave the condemned to mean those who have not put their faith in Christ. The condemned then should definitely “feel” shame as Adam and Eve did when they hid from God in the garden. This shame would hopefully lead an unbeliever to repentance, belief in Christ and accept his forgiveness. Some believers singing this song may think why do I still feel shame if this is true. That’s a discussion for another time. The bigger issue is the non believer reading or hearing this line and thinking there’s nothing to be ashamed of as they are. This is what many churches seem to teach today. I’m not saying this is the intent of the author but it does fit the current errant teaching too well which reinforces the idea. Total depravity does not sell well.
I still love the song but I wish worship leaders or pastors would give some correction or clearer understanding to that line as I believe you suggested also.
Vince Wright
Dwayne,
Thank you for your comment!
You are correct. Believers will agree emphatically that they don’t need to feel shamed because, well, they are following Jesus! However, there is potential that unbelievers will think that because they invoke the name of Jesus, they can continue to live their sinful lifestyle unashamed.
I updated my review.
-Vince Wright