glory (noun) - praise, honor, or distinction extended by common consent; worshipful praise, honor, and thanksgiving; something that secures praise or renown
Synonyms: dignity, grandeur, honor, majesty
Antonyms: blame, criticism, insignificance, lowliness
Glory is both something God has just by being who He is (the glorious One) as well as something we give to Him in terms of praise ("to God be the glory"). It's something we sing about in the church very, very often, but I think the true meaning behind it can get lost in the moment sometimes. Some worship music can admittedly fall into the trap of "Look at everything God has done for me and how much life has turned around" instead of the original purpose of worship, which is to glorify God by saying "You are mighty, You are holy, You are merciful, and You deserve my praise." It is truly amazing that Jesus humbled Himself so much by becoming human for three decades in order to save us from sin, but just think - He's now sitting at the right-hand of God the Father, just as radiant and holy and perfect as He was before He came to earth, and He's advocating for us and our place in Heaven with Him. He is good, He is faithful, He is righteous, and He deserves every ounce of glory we can offer Him.
This post includes seven songs about glory along with Scripture references that inspired them and that I was led to with each entry. All Scripture passages are from the New Living Translation of the Holy Bible.
Prepare the Way by Bethel Music, Bethany Wohrle & Dante Bowe (written by B. Wohrle, D. Bowe, J. Amundrud, C. Cleveland, E. Hulse)
Featured on Bethel's 2020 live album Revival's In The Air with vocals from worship leaders Bethany Wohrle and Dante Bowe, this beautiful song is an exultation of glory to the Father and His plan for His church. The bridge of this song is my favorite part, with its powerful plea for God to break down our human barriers to move through us. He's always working, we just have to pay attention and trust Him.
We've heard the revival stories of ancient and old time glory/Spirit of God, come do it again/Miracle-working power moving in signs and wonders/Spirit of God, come do it again/Prepare the way, He’s coming through/Ready or not, our God's on the move/We're gonna see Heaven on Earth/Come, Holy Spirit, awaken Your church
Isaiah 40:3 Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way though the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!
Reign Above It All by Bethel Music & Paul McClure (written by P. McClure, H. McClure, J. Cates, E. Hulse)
Also featured on Revival's In The Air, this time with vocals from worship leader Paul McClure, the lyrics here paint a picture of the glory that surrounds God in Heaven that we will eventually see when we enter into eternal life with Him. Because of Jesus's death on the cross, we can revel in our new life and freedom from sin provided by His grace and mercy. He is the King above all other kings, and His kingdom will never fade away.
The reign of darkness now has ended/In the kingdom of light, in the kingdom of light/Forever under Your dominion/You're the King of my life, You're the King of my life/You reign above it all, You reign above it all/Over the universe and over every heart/There is no higher name/Jesus, You reign above it all
Numbers 6:24-26 May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.
Welcome Resurrection by Elevation Worship ft. Chris Brown (written by C. Carnes, S. Furtick)
Featured on Elevation's 2022 album Lion with vocals from worship leader Chris Brown, I love that this song right off the bat discusses the wonder wrapped up in the truth of the Gospel. Because of Christ's resurrection, we WILL see the glory of the Lord, and what an incredible experience that will be. Even during troubling times, we can have faith that He will carry us to the other side.
May I never lose the wonder of this Gospel mystery/From the heavens came a Savior, from the ground arose a King/Every day is born in darkness, every winter yields to spring/Let us speak of resurrection even in the suffering/You can do anything, You can do anything/My eyes will see Your glory, my eyes will see Your glory/You can do anything, You can do anything/My eyes will see Your glory, my eyes will see Your glory
I Peter 1:3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation…
Glorious One by Fee (written by K. Riley)
Featured on Fee's 2007 album We Shine, this song, and this whole album really, have been favorites of mine since I was a teenager and attended a student camp where Steve Fee and his band were the worship leaders. This song is full of praise, singing of posturing ourselves to give glory to the Lord as well as lauding Him and everything He has done. Everything the Lord does is for the good of the kingdom, and He will not let His children walk alone.
Our hands are lifted high, our hearts are bowing reverence/And we're surrounded by the glory of Your presence/With every creature, every tongue/We're lifting our voice to the Glorious One/Glorious One, glorious One/Light of the world, You outshine the sun/King of all Kings, eternity sings/Glorious One
Psalm 79:9 Help us, O God of our salvation! Help us for the glory of your name. Save us and forgive our sins for the honor of your name.
What a Beautiful Name by Hillsong Worship (written by B. Fielding, B. Ligertwood)
Featured on Hillsong's 2016 live album Let There Be Light with vocals from worship leader Brooke Ligertwood, I don't know if it's possible for me to get tired of this song. From each chorus changing slightly to proclaim Jesus as beautiful, wonderful, and powerful to the incredible bridge proclaiming His victory over death as well as every other enemy, this song is such a declaration of faith and proclamation of His glory. The glory truly is all His.
You were the Word at the beginning/One with God the Lord Most High/Your hidden glory in creation/Now revealed in You our Christ/What a beautiful Name it is, what a beautiful Name it is/The Name of Jesus Christ my King/What a beautiful Name it is, nothing compares to this/What a beautiful Name it is, the Name of Jesus
John 1:14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
Everlasting Light by Mosaic MSC (written by J. Early, M. Goss, B. Benjamin-Korporaal)
Featured on Mosaic's 2020 live album HUMAN with vocals from worship leader Mariah Goss, this song is a great one from this team that really exalts the glory of the Lord. The lyric in the chorus that states that dark days are temporary is so hopeful and joyful, both things we're called to be in times of trouble but are also much easier said than done. We never have to fear darkness, because He is the Light of the world.
You're the horizon, the bright/The glimmer that breaks the constant night/You are the brilliance, the dream/The evidence of things unseen/Even the darkest days are temporary/You are the everlasting light/All of the time and space could not contain You/You are the everlasting light
Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation - so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?
Worthy of It All/All of the Glory by UPPERROOM & Abbie Gamboa (written by D. Brymer, R. Hall, A. Gamboa)
Featured on UPPERROOM's 2018 live album Moments II with vocals from worship leader Abbie Gamboa, this song captivated me from the very first time I heard it. The imagery of worship around God's throne, taken from Revelation 7, is beautiful, majestic, and glorifying for the King who really, truly is worthy of all of it. Gamboa's vocals are so raw and real here that I get emotional any time it comes up on my phone.
All the saints and angels/Bow before Your throne/And all the elders cast their crowns/Before the Lamb of God and sing/You are worthy of it all/You are worthy of it all/For from You are all things and to You are all things/You deserve the glory
II Corinthians 4:6 For God who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
I hope you found some music that helps to deepen your connection with the Father here today. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!
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