In a recent small group conversation, the question was asked. “Who is God? If you had to tell someone else who God is, what would you say?” The point of the discussion was that we often know about God, but don’t really know Him. Humanity has used a diversity of words to describe God. In the Westminster Confession of Faith, God is defined as “infinite, self-existent, spirit, eternal and unchangeable in His nature, being and attributes.” These are words we humans use to describe God. What does God say about himself? Our group is working from an older book by Kay Arthur called Lord, I Want to Know You. The premise of the book is that if we spend forty-two days looking at how God identifies Himself, then we will know him more intimately. Kay Arthur’s questions set up a process to personalize the experience so that we don’t just learn more about God, but we will ultimately know Him. As an example, one of the names for God is Jehovah Rapha—the God who heals. It is a subtle but significant difference to understand that God can heal, but more personal when we understand He is my healer.
I am hopeful that as we work through these Old Testament revelations of who God is, we can make connections to the songs we sing on the weekends. I am hopeful that the songs can take on a new, more personal meaning. This would fulfill passages in the New Testament where we are instructed to be teaching and encouraging each other with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. (Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3.) Also, in John 4, Jesus said, “…the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth. Our goal in worship is to express love for the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. It is with these goals in mind that I want to examine the song, Only King Forever.
Wade Joye, from Elevation Worship, shares some of the history behind the song on a you tube video. The concepts are about “Who God is as King, and who we are as children of the King.” The basis was from I Samuel 7, “Thus far, the LORD has helped us.” Many of us may put our faith in things that may fail us, like rulers, authorities and government. Jesus will never fail us. He is a faithful king. “A worship song is declaring the faithfulness and goodness of our God and king.” The goal of this song from Elevation was to boast about what Jesus had done for them.
Following Kay Arthur’s guide, our small group started in Proverbs 18. Verse ten said, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.” We also spent some time with Psalm 20. Verse seven says, “Some may boast (trust) in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the LORD our God.” In this verse, we see the name of “YHVH our Elohim”–God of gods. This was the goal for the song writers from Elevation Church.
Psalm 91 also addresses the security of believers who trust in the name of the LORD. Verse two says,” I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God in whom I trust!’ “ As the strong tower was a position of military strength and security, God is our refuge–the place that is safe during attack. He is our security. Now let’s look at how that carries into the song:
Only King Forever: By Elevation Worship
Verse 1: Our God a firm foundation, Our rock, the only solid ground As nations rise and fall Kingdoms once strong now shaken We trust forever in Your Name The name of Jesus We trust the name of Jesus
One of the names God shares in Daniel 4 is El Elyon. While not specifically used in the song, that passage in verses 34 and 35, refers to “…and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation.” El Elyon is God Most High. As nations rise and fall, human power and authority (horses & chariots) once strong, are now shaken. But in El Elyon, we trust forever in Your Name.
Chorus: You are the only King forever, Almighty God we lift You higher, You are the only King forever Forevermore, You are victorious!
In the chorus, we acknowledge God as the only King whose Kingdom will last. Line two starts with “Almighty God.” This is the Hebrew El Shadday or El Shaddai and means God Almighty. El Shadday is first used in the story of Abram and Sarai. After their encounter with God, and as part of the covenant between them both Abram and Sarai get new names. El Shadday adds a component of his own name YHVH to theirs. Abraham and Sarah live out that covenant. In the words of a different song, “Father Abraham, had many sons…” The Abrahamic covenant included everlasting possession of the land of Canaan (v.8), we sing “Forevermore!”
VERSE 2: Unmatched in all Your wisdom, In love and justice You will reign And every knee will bow We bring our expectations Our hope is anchored in Your name The Name of Jesus Oh, we trust the Name of Jesus
Psalm 49:3 says, “The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.” Wisdom is often something God is imparting. In our song, we acknowledge God as the giver of wisdom, which is followed by descriptors of how He reigns—in love and justice. The song then looks to our future. When Paul is writing to the Romans, he quotes words from Isaiah. “…as every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” The power of singing a song like this, is that we are actively participating in the fulfillment of that verse. As “we bring our expectations, our hope is anchored in Your name.” If we understand God, as revealed by the names he has chosen to reveal himself to us, we can come with informed expectations. Our hope is not fleeting, but it is ANCHORED in His identity. We can expect provision, healing, shalom and more.
Bridge: We lift our banner high, We lift the Name of Jesus, From age to age You reign. Your kingdom has no end.
In Exodus 17, we get the picture of Jehovah—Nissi or the LORD our banner. In OT times, the banner would not have been a flag but a symbol on a long standard, followed into battle. The picture in Exodus is that when we are living under the Banner of Jehovah we will be victorious. If you watched any ancient war movies, the person carrying the standard often lead the charge. (This happened in Game of Thrones as well. Each house or family had their colors and their sigil/banner. It is also present in Braveheart.) In modern times we use a flag. Can you picture 4th of July on steroids? The flag of the US is everywhere. But our Jehova-Nissi (banners) far supersedes–as does the kingdom that will endure forever. The bridge of this song reinforces many of the concepts above. If you can envision a strong tower, a fortress that a few people can defend against a larger army, then you can begin to wrestle with the idea of God being our fortress, our safe place. Above that tower there are flags flying. The banners of the kingdom boast in royal colors, sailing in the wind. If you watched the movie for C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, you can see the glory as Lucy and Susan entered into Aslan’s camp. Banners flew everywhere! Armies kneeled. Bold, colorful banners–bearing the red, rampant lion–emblazoned proudly declaring that Aslan is King.
CS Lewis gave us a portrait of Christ as our Jehova-Nissi: whose kingdom we serve!
The songs we sing speak of his marvelous works, his character and identity. This helps us imagine what it might mean to “Boast in the name of the LORD.” PS. 20:7
