Hillsong Worship released King of Kings as part of their 2019 worship album, and this song has all the hallmarks for being the next big corporate worship anthem. Before I dive into a song lyrics analysis, let us first appreciate it in the original released video:
Song Lyrics Analysis
Verse 1
In the darkness we were waiting
Without hope without light
Till from heaven You came running
There was mercy in Your eyes
To fulfil the law and prophets
To a virgin came the Word
From a throne of endless glory
To a cradle in the dirt
The darkness reference that we were waiting is a poetic reference to creation, when there was nothing, and we had the original absence of light. It is a double reference to the darkness of the original sin that we were found waiting and wanting – our separation from God created the condition of being “without hope without light”. In the beginning, God created the heavens and earth by saying “let there be light”. And it was out of heaven that He came running, because God did not just create us, but He came to us to show mercy on us.
The second half of the verse then expounds more theology and scripture:
- Matthew 5:17 (NIV) – Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
- John 1:1 (NIV) – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
- Ephesians 3:21 (NIV) – to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
The countless prophecies from the Old Testament that foretold of the coming of Jesus as the Messiah were fulfilled in the live and teachings of Jesus. Jesus further emphasised that His Way would not simply replace the old, but be the entire fulfilment.
Jesus was the Word at the beginning (one with God the Lord most High… hmmm that is a whole other song, right? ) and He came into our world, via the Virgin Mary, born into a cradle or manger – right next to the local barnyard animals. Verse 1 is thus closely aligned to the birth of Christ.
Chorus
Praise the Father
Praise the Son
Praise the Spirit three in one
God of glory
Majesty
Praise forever to the King of Kings
The chorus is really what I believe will make this song so popular and easy to sing – the simplicity of the lyrics is genuine and can only truly be God/Holy Spirit inspired. Nothing more can be added to the beauty of these lyrics – it speaks for itself in praising the triune nature of our God.
Whilst the first half gives equal measure to each of the three aspects of God the trinity, the second half and really, the majority of the song, is more focused on God the Son character of His divinity. The term “Kings of Kings” is a specific reference to Jesus, the name above all names.
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
This second verse follows what emerges as a theme – the ministry of Christ. The purpose of Jesus’ life was to reveal the coming of the Kingdom of God. Most of this parables were told with the intent of explaining the nature of God’s Kingdom. Jesus also came and lived a life so that we could know how to follow Him, and in doing so be reconciled to God the Father.
Jesus came for the whole creation – not just God’s original chosen people, but for Jews and Gentiles alike. Jesus’ death on the cross was intended to save all of us. Jesus’ knowledge of the past, present and future was a gift from and of God – He knew that His suffering would conquer death, and restore us unto God. And because He freely gave His perfect, sinless life, all of us as sinners who once deserved the condemnation of God and the punishment of death now can find redemption and reconciliation with Him.
Verse 3
And the morning that You rose
All of heaven held its breath
Till 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 3 continues the focus of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Of all the verses, this one makes King of Kings an Easter-appropriate worship song. All of heaven held its breath is a reference to:
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
psalm 33:6
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
The second half of the verse is a reference to:
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.
matthew 27:51-52
The remainder of the verse ties back into the narrative of the resurrection and how Jesus’ death restored us back to God the Father.
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
For me, the opening lyrics for this final verse are particularly impactful – because “Church of Christ” can be considered a direct reference to the name / denomination of my home church – Clayton Church of Christ. Indeed, the double meaning is personal but for all believers, it is literally the birth of the church that is referenced. This is where the song theme rounds out with a reference to the birth of the Early Church, which all believers can find comfort and meaning in – we are the church of Christ.
This verse clearly references Acts and the Early Church. The Spirit lit the flame at Pentecost, and the Gospel is not merely a truth from 2000 years ago, but it lives within each of us. When we are filled with the Gospel truth, we are tied into the Spirit of God which has sustained the church for almost 2000 years now. God’s church will prevail and not kneel or faint – but endure with the strength and joy that can only be provided by God.
The final part of the son is an invitation for us to personalise the meaning of all of this – let us declare that we are free and have a freedom in Christ. It is because and by His blood shed on the cross, and by calling upon the name of Jesus that we can stand as one. Let us all boldly claim the love of Jesus!
Reflection
This worship song has a freshness to its sound. I think it is because Hillsong have embraced the “keep it simple” principle. For me, I have always considered the piano the king of instruments – and when you hear that introductory stanza, which repeats in between verse and chorus, it has a simplicity which also creates a sense of expectation.
The verses are driven by a melody which flows. Yes the verses sound quite wordy and full, but they are jam packed, as we have seen above, with a wealth of scriptural and theological goodness. When you appreciate the thematic journey of the song as a whole, us believers have reason to embraced this and personalise it – we are part of the song as seen in the final verse. Not only do we sing about the history of our faith and its foundation in Jesus, but we can claim it and celebrate it as a freedom from God’s mercy, love and sacrifice.
If anyone were simply listening, sure they will say it sounds good, but when a believer is listening and following the spirit of the song because of our connection with God and the Holy Spirit, how can we not join in and proclaim each chorus – Praise the Father, praise the Son, praise the Spirit three in one! You are the God of glory, majesty, power who deserves only the highest praise. Jesus – You are indeed the King of Kings.
This worship ballad is surely going to be the next big hit, like:
- Blessed Be Your Name
- 10,000 Reasons
- How Great Is Our God
Thank you to Brooke & Scott Ligertwood and Jason Ingram.