About five years ago, I began praying to the Lord that the first thought I had upon waking, would be of Him. The Lord blessed this prayer by providing a Worship song in my head every morning. It might be a whole song, a chorus, a line or two, or a verse of scripture to music. This is how I wake up and meditate on the lyrics first thing.
While worshiping at the retreat a week ago, I became aware of the Biblical truth embedded in songs. Of course it’s something I have always known, but to really hear the message behind the message is not something I have pursued deeply.
So, I decided to explore the Biblical truth in the song I woke to this morning. I pray that the Holy Spirit guide my steps in navigating the precious Word of God, and lead me to His Truth that He wants me to learn through the song He provided. This is by no means a reflection of the song writing process by the artist and the verses they may have drawn upon while writing the song. This is simply my way of drawing nearer to God through song and scripture.
Hosanna in the Highest
By Hillsong United
I see the king of glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes
The whole earth shakes
(Isaiah 30: 26-28: “See, the Name of the LORD comes from afar, with burning anger and dense clouds of smoke; his lips are full of wrath, and his tongue is a consuming fire. His breath is like a rushing torrent, rising up to the neck. He shakes the nations in the sieve of destruction; he places in the jaws of the peoples a bit that leads them astray.”
Personal Application: In context of the whole chapter, this is a lesson that God corrects His children, and He binds up His children’s enemies. I need to listen for His voice of correction and obey. Trust that He goes before me to handle my “enemies” (issues, complications, worries). Trust in His timing, not my own.)
Yeeeah
I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing
The people sing
(Psalm 51:1-2: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
Personal Application: “The people sing…” Psalms are songs of praise to God. They focus our thoughts on God and help remind us that He is our Creator, Sustainer, Protector. Whether I read the Psalms or listen to contemporary Christian music, I am reminded of God’s great love and provision for me.
David wrote Psalm 51 after the prophet Nathan confronted him about his affair with Bathsheba, and the murder of her husband. This is David’s plea to God for mercy and forgiveness. He asks that his heart be made right and cleansed of sin.
There is nothing, nothing, that I can not bring before my Father for repentance and forgiveness. There may be natural consequences of my sin, but I can rest in the promise that no sin is too great for forgiveness if I bring it before God with a repentant heart.)
[Chorus]
Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest [x2]
(Matthew 21:8-9: “A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!
Personal Application: The word Hosanna is a Hebrew expression that means “Save Now!” As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the crowd spread their cloaks and placed palm branches on the ground. This is significant because this records where the people saw Jesus as one who would deliver them from the oppression of Rome.
This also serves as a warning, because many in the crowd shouting in adoration and praise, also later shouted for crucification. Matthew Henry’s commentary states, “Multitudes often seem to approve the gospel, but few become consistent disciples..” I question myself, “am I one of the multitudes, or a consistent disciple?”)
I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith
(Psalm 78:5-7: “He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.”
Personal Application: Psalm 78, authored by Asaph, retells the history of of the Jewish nation. It is a reminder to tell the story over and over to each generation so they would not forget God and make the same mistakes their ancestors made. I need to discern Biblical truth from which my faith stands, teach my children from this worldview so that they know their Creator and Savior personally and intimately.)
I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We’re on our knees
We’re on our knees
(Psalm 80:18-19: “Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name. Restore us, LORD God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.”
Personal Application: To be on my knees before my Lord…to pray and seek…to trust in His restoration and revival of myself to uniting with the Holy Spirit.
[Chorus]
Heal my heart and make it clean (See Psalm 51 again)
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
(Matthew 13:16-17: “But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. “
I pray that the Holy Spirit continue to open my eyes and ears to see and hear those things unseen…
(Ephesians 2:4-5: “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressionsit is by grace you have been saved.”
John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
We are currently studying the book of John. Understanding the depth of God’s love for us collectively, and me individually, is humbling and hard to fully handle.)
Break my heart from what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdoms cause
As I go from nothing to
Eternity
(This is interesting…I always thought the lyric was, “Break my heart FOR what breaks yours”, and would concentrate and pray for a compassionate heart over different social issues, like homelessness, trafficking, etc. But, it’s “break my heart FROM what breaks yours”…WOW! Totally different focus. Now, I shift to the temptations of my heart that cause me to sin, and break God’s heart. To break my heart from what keeps it in bondage…
(Matthew 6:13 “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
1 Corinthians 10:12-14: “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you dont fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
James 1:2-4: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
1 Chronicles 29:10-11: “Praise be to you, LORD, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.”
[Chorus x2]
Hosanna in the highest