What a Beautiful Name
Hillsong Worship
A reverent, theologically rich exaltation of Jesus
Weighed against scripture
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
The song's repeated return to the name above all names directly mirrors Paul's declaration that God exalted Jesus and gave him the name before which every knee will bow.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
The opening verse of the song traces the Word being with God at the beginning and then dwelling among us, which is a near-lyrical retelling of John's prologue.
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”
The song's claim that death could not hold him and that he broke its power resonates with this passage describing Christ's death as the destruction of the one who held the power of death.
What a Beautiful Name moves through the storyline of Jesus from pre-existence through Incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection, grounding each movement in who he is rather than how the worshiper feels. The bridge, where the song declares nothing can stand against his name, is a confession of faith rather than a performance of emotion. It is among the more theologically substantive songs to come from the contemporary worship space in the last decade. Singing it attentively is itself a form of creedal declaration.
Every line is devoted to the person and work of Christ. The language is elevated and worshipful, drawing on Incarnation, atonement, resurrection, and exaltation with care and craft.
The song's entire posture is surrender and adoration toward Jesus. Lines about death not holding him and heaven being brought down anchor the praise in actual Christian theology, not vague spirituality.
Written by Ben Fielding and Brooke Ligertwood as a congregational act of worship. The intent is clearly to draw the singer into reflective, reverent praise of Christ's name and what it represents.
As you sing the names and titles in this song, which one lands most personally right now, and what does that tell you about where you are with God?