In this series, I take a brief glance at some of the very modern worship songs. I didn’t always like modern worship songs. I enjoy the older hymns. But then again, I like both pop music and classical music. You don’t need to choose between them. And for church on Sunday, I see no rules in the New Testament about what style of music to use. Some churches forbid hymns completely because they don’t see them explicitly endorsed. They might sing Psalms, because that’s God’s word. But if we pray, preach, and share in our own words, I don’t see why we shouldn’t sing in our own words. And songs are generally biblically based.
Today’s hymn is What a Beautiful Name from 2017. It’s rooted in Hillsong, as are many other modern songs. Hillsong is a global charismatic Christian megachurch movement that began in Australia in 1983. I don’t know much about it. I know that it’s had scandals. But I wouldn’t allow that to stop me from listening to the songs. I’ve no reason to believe that those who write or sing the songs endorse the scandals. And in any case, I’m more interested in the content of the songs than who’s singing them, though I do appreciate what they contribute to us all.
I sometimes get confused singing it in church because, several terms apart from Beautiful are used in sections of the song – sometimes it’s Beautiful, sometimes it’s Wonderful, and sometimes it’s Powerful. 😄
But It’s full of rich scriptural truth. The first verse brings to mind the beginning of John’s Gospel:
John 1:1-3 and 14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made….14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
You were the Word at the beginning
One with God the Lord Most High
Your hidden glory in creation
Now revealed in You our Christ
What a beautiful name it is
What a beautiful name it is
The name of Jesus Christ my King
The next verse speaks of Jesus not wanting heaven without us. It sounds a little strange because why should the eternal God need us. Yet, he plans to spend eternity with all those who believe and with all his holy angels. The Holy Spirit gives us a foretaste of heaven, and the disciples were face to face with Jesus himself. And she sings about the love of God being much greater than our sin. This brings to mind the following verse:
Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
You didn't want heaven without us
So Jesus, You brought heaven down
My sin was great, Your love was greater
What could separate us now
What a wonderful name it is
What a wonderful name it is
The name of Jesus Christ my King
And in the last verse, the resurrection is the focus, which is when the chorus changes to “What a powerful name it is”. So we see beauty, wonder and power in the name of Jesus.
Here are three older hymns that focus on the beauty, wonder, and power of Jesus:
Isn't He, beautiful?
Beautiful, isn't He?
Prince of Peace, Son of God
Isn't He?
1 Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace;
In the mansions bright and blessed
He'll prepare for us a place.
1 All hail the power of Jesus' name!
Let angels prostrate fall.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all!
Hibernia Gospel 