New Wineskins
I’m privileged to serve at a church that has two modern services (i.e. Hillsong, Elevation) and two hymn services (i.e. ancient hymns). Both sets of services create an environment of worship and both touch the worship heart language of passionate believers. But preferring one style doesn’t mean the other style is devoid of value. This past Sunday I had a conversation with an older saint who loves hymns (and rightfully so) but believes that modern worship songs are devoid of rich theology. On that point I would respectfully disagree.
Take as Exhibit A the newly released single by Hillsong Worship: King of Kings. Described by songwriter Brooke Ligertwood, “King of Kings is packed full of theology — theology releases praise. When we believe correctly about God, when we understand and get a greater revelation of who God is and what He’s done, we can’t help but respond in worship.”
Here are the lyrics to King of Kings. With a beautifully accompanied musical score, here is the gospel:
VERSE 1
In the darkness we were waiting
Without hope without light
’Til from Heaven You came running
There was mercy in Your eyes
To fulfill the law and prophets
To a virgin came the Word
From a throne of endless glory
To a cradle in the dirt
CHORUS
Praise the Father
Praise the Son
Praise the Spirit, three in one
God of Glory
Majesty
Praise forever to the King of Kings
VERSE 2
To reveal the kingdom coming
And to reconcile the lost
To redeem the whole creation
You did not despise the cross
For even in Your suffering
You saw to the other side
Knowing this was our salvation
Jesus for our sake You died
CHORUS
Praise the Father
Praise the Son
Praise the Spirit, three in one
God of Glory
Majesty
Praise forever to the King of Kings
VERSE 3
And the morning that You rose
All of heaven held its breath
Til that stone was moved for good
For the Lamb had conquered death
And the dead rose from their tombs
And the angels stood in awe
For the souls of all who’d come
To the Father are restored
VERSE 4
And the Church of Christ was born
Then the Spirit lit the flame
Now this Gospel truth of old
Shall not kneel, shall not faint
By His blood and in His Name
In His freedom I am free
For the love of Jesus Christ
Who has resurrected me
CHORUS
Praise the Father
Praise the Son
Praise the Spirit, three in one
God of Glory
Majesty
Praise forever to the King of Kings
To make a blanket statement about modern worship that it is devoid of the rich theology of ancient hymns is to cast judgment on an entire generation of Christian songwriters who are passing on the gospel through song to the next generation in the same way Isaac Watts and Fanny Crosby did.
If you’d like to connect and engage with more of the content I’m working on, be sure to like my church Facebook page. You can also find me on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In