Hymn Cornerstone Lyrics
Breanna Mangels
Popular juggernaut Hillsong Church recently released King of Kings last month. Hillsong continues to dominate our radio stations, playlists, and churches. In part, because much of their music is Biblically sound.
Despite our trials and tribulations, we still trust in God above everything else. Jesus is the chief cornerstone; the foundation by which our salvation, faith, and righteousness derive. There is no other foundation, frame, or name by which we can be saved. It is only through the shed blood of perfect Jesus that makes salvation possible. We will one day enter into His Heavenly Kingdom, dressed in white and having put on the Lord Jesus, not because we are good, but because He is righteous.
The majority of its language is everyday and poetic, easing unbeliever comprehension. Hillsong communicates deep concepts of salvation, Christ as the foundation, and His second coming in an accessible format. It will be easily interpreted as a Christian song given its explicit references to Jesus and His shed blood.
Those outside the camp of Christ might find the concepts of cornerstone and our dressed up in righteousness to be confusing. These are deeper concepts that require more than a cursory reading of Scripture to understand.
It glorifies Jesus through its focus on Jesus as foundational to our faith, His shed blood that saves us, and His triumphant second coming, where we will be found dressed in white. Its slightly annoying repetition does not take away from His glory.
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:19-20 (NASB)
Reuben Morgan is one of their best writers. This song is lyrically superb. The tune also great. I am not a fan of the Hillsong empire. But this is a song that I Love to sing. More like the lyrics of some of the best hymns out there. Truth, truth and no Jesus is my boyfriend etc, that they often are now.
Jude 24-25 (ESV) Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Wow, thank you for pointing out a huge oversight on my part, I failed to search for this song in Hymnal form. I need to edit the conclusion a bit. This explains a lot about how this song stands apart from typical Hillsong lyrics.
No problem. I recognized it because we used to sing it when I was growing up. You know, in the dark ages before the 7-11 worship chorus took over. ? I think Mote was a Baptist, but this one is in the Lutheran hymnal, and the Methodist as well.
Toby Mac's song "Cornerstone (feat. Zach Williams)" is a heartfelt ode to the unwavering stability and support found in faith. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of life's journey, filled with highs and lows, and the constant presence of a reliable foundation. The song opens with a serene scene of a sunset over a quiet sea, symbolizing moments of peace and reflection. This tranquility is contrasted with the challenges and cold nights that life inevitably brings. Despite these fluctuations, the singer finds solace in a steadfast cornerstone, a metaphor for a solid and unchanging source of support, which in this context, is faith in God.
The recurring imagery of the sun rising and setting, and the world continuing to spin, emphasizes the passage of time and the cyclical nature of life. Seasons come and go, bringing both joy and sorrow, but the cornerstone remains a constant. This metaphor highlights the idea that while external circumstances may change, the foundation of faith provides a reliable anchor. The mention of the Bible by the bedside and wrestling with shame and a troubled past further underscores the personal struggles and the search for redemption and peace through faith.
Zach Williams' contribution to the song reinforces the central theme with the lines, "On Christ, the solid rock I'm standin', all of the ground is sinking sand." This reference to the classic hymn "My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less" by Edward Mote, adds a layer of depth and tradition to the song, connecting contemporary struggles with timeless truths. The song ultimately conveys a message of hope and resilience, encouraging listeners to find their own cornerstone in the midst of life's uncertainties.
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