Cornerstone by Hillsong United
Today’s strong worship song is Cornerstone by Hillsong United which came out in 2012. This song is a remake of the hymn My Hope is Built On Nothing Less written by Edward Mote in 1837. Hillsong does a good job in “contemporizing” the original hymn tune without losing its overall integrity. The lyrics are solid and focus on Christ, His person, His work, His righteousness, His love, and His return. Hillsong’s added refrain complements the original lyrics and further gives praise to Jesus. Cornerstone is also very singable for congregations.
Scriptural references include Psalm 118:21-23, Mark 12:10, Isaiah 4:6, Isaiah 25:4, Isaiah 28:16, Matthew 21:41-43, Acts 4:11, Ephesians 2:20, Mark 4:39, 1 Corinthians 15:52, and 1 Peter 2:6-7.
Cornerstone
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus name
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus name
Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Savior’s love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all
When Darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
My anchor holds within the veil
Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Savior’s love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all
He is Lord
Lord of all
Christ alone
Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Savior’s love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all
Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Savior’s love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless stand before the throne.
Man of Sorrows by Hillsong United
The sin of man and wrath of God
Has been on Jesus laid
Silent as He stood accused
Beaten mocked and scorned
Bowing to the Father’s will
He took a crown of thorns
Oh that rugged cross
My salvation
Where Your love poured out over me
Now my soul cries out
Hallelujah
Praise and honour unto Thee
Sent of heaven God’s own Son
To purchase and redeem
And reconcile the very ones
Who nailed Him to that tree
Now my debt is paid
It is paid in full
By the precious blood
That my Jesus spilled
Now the curse of sin
Has no hold on me
Whom the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
See the stone is rolled away
Behold the empty tomb
Hallelujah God be praised
He’s risen from the grave
The Scandal of Grace by Hillsong United
Today’s Strong Worship Song is The Scandal of Grace by Hillsong United. This song is solidly based on numerous portions of Scripture including Ephesians 2:8-9, Isaiah 53:7, 1 Peter 2:22, Revelation 1:5, John 15:13,1 Corinthians 1:23, John 3:16, Romans 9:23, Philippians 3:7-11, Acts 4:12, John 14:6, Psalm 19:6, Ephesians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 15:54-56, 2 Corinthians 5:20-21, and 2 Corinthians 5:15.
Some may be taken back by the title, The Scandal of Grace. There is Biblical grounds for this, however. The crucifixion of Christ, the ultimate example of grace, is referred to by Paul as a “stumbling block” to those who refuse to believe (1 Corinthians 1:23). The Greek word for “stumbling block” is “skandolon” which is the word from which “scandal” is derived. Most often we associate scandals with man’s willful sins. The scandal of God’s grace, however is Jesus becoming sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21) so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. The lyrics accurately show the depravity of man. They also clearly paint Christ as the hero for lost mankind which is what the gospel is all about. I choose to post this song at this time partially because it was just released but also because it is a good song for the season of Lent.
The Scandal of Grace
Verse 1:
Grace what have you done?
Murdered for me on that cross
Accused in absence of wrong
My sin washed away in your blood
Too much to make sense of it all
I know that your love breaks my fall
A Scandal of grace you died in my place, for my soul will live
Chorus:
Oh to be like you
Give all I have just to know you
Jesus there’s no one beside you
Forever the hope in my heart
Verse 2:
Death where is your sting
Your power is as dead as my sin
The cross has taught me to live
And mercy my heart not to sin
The day and its troubles shall come
I know that your strength is enough
A Scandal of grace you died in my place, for my soul will live
Bridge:
And it’s all because of you Jesus
It’s all because of you Jesus
It’s all because of your love that my soul will live
Mighty to Save by Hillsong United
Today’s strong worship song is Mighty to Save which was first sung and made popular in 2005 by Hillsong United. The words and music were written by Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan. In 2009 Laura Story’s version won a Dove Award. Several other Christians artists and groups sing this song including Michael W. Smith, Seventh Day Slumber, Rock Of Ages, Reuben Morgan, Jeremy Camp, and the Newsboys.
Scripture references include:1 Corinthians 15:54, Zephaniah 3:17,Ephesians 5:13-14,and Isaiah 60:1-3
Mighty to Save
Everyone needs compassion
A love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations
(Chorus:)
Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
So take me as You find me
All my fears & failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender
Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
Shine Your light and
Let the whole world see
We’re singing
For the glory
Of the risen King
Jesus
(Chorus:)
Search My Heart by Hillsong United
This week’s strong worship song is Search My Heart by Hillsong United and music and lyrics by Matt Crocker and Joel Houston. This song is featured on the album Aftermath which came out in 2010. Search My Heart was written for worship and is in essence a call to worship. The lyrics are both simple and strong. This song correctly states the depravity and dependency of man – we are nothing without Christ. Since Christ intervened and took our sin and shame at the cross, however and since we have been restored in Him, we can offer Him our hearts and lives in worship. It pleases God when we worship Him whole-heartedly. The converse is also true. God is not pleased if we offer mere lip service but our hearts are miles away from Him. Like so many of the Psalms, this song helps safeguard us from mere lip service by focusing on Christ and actively asking God to examine our hearts as we come to worship Him.
Scripture references include Psalm 139:23, Psalm 26:2, Matthew 4:19, and Deuteronomy 30:1-3, Matthew 15:8-9, and Romans 12:1.
Search My Heart
Search my heart and search my soul.
There’s nothing else that I want more.
Shine Your light and show Your face.
In my life Lord have Your way.
Hear my cry and hear my prayer.
Draw me close I know You’re near.
Give me strength and give me grace.
To walk with You Lord all my days.
So with all my heart and all my soul.
With all I am. Lord I will follow You.
You took the cross.
You took my shame.
Restored my life.
Now I live to worship You.
And with all my heart and all my soul.
With all I am.
Lord I will follow You.
You took the cross.
You took my shame.
Restored my life.
Lord I live to worship you.
Search my heart and search my soul.
There’s nothing else that I want more.
Oh, without You I am nothing.
Search my heart and search my soul.
