Lyrics Review - At the Cross

Lyrics
Oh Lord You've searched me
You know my way
Even when I fail You
I know You love me

Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me

Chorus:
At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now?

You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me

Refrain:
You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done

And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And You stand before me
I know You love me
I know You love me

Author
 Reuben Morgan & Darlene Joyce Zschech (Hillsong)
© Music Services Inc.

Chords

Background

Lyrics Review
4/5 Scriptural
5/5 Christ-centered
4/5 Chanty
Encouraging to Christians in general
Edifying: God's Love, Faithfulness, Cross, Christ's death, worth of future hope

It starts off with a reference to David's Psalm (Ps 139:1). Nonetheless it doesn't proceed in the same way. Psalm 139 goes off into wonder and awe of God, but "At the Cross" begins with an assurance of God's unfailing love. It then describes a manifestation of God's love, His "holy presence," and also says His faithfulness is at work "in every season."

The chorus then declares that this faithful, unfailing love is completely manifest at the Cross. But it doesn't end there! He moves quickly onto the resurrection, the proof of God's power, and quotes Solomon (1 Ki 8:27) and also the apostle Paul's famous words in his letter to the Romans (Rom 8:31-39) in the form of a rhetoric question.

The third verse sees another aspect of God, as it is a reminder of the prophet Isaiah's words (Is 52:12) then quickly restates the assurance "I know you love me," which implies that these are another set of manifestations of God's love. By now, it is obvious that the song views God as a whole, all the while stating that all His actions are borne out of His love. This wholistic view of God makes it encouraging to Christians in general.

The refrain focuses on Christ's last words "It is finished!" (Jn 19:30) and the tearing of the veil (Mt 27:51). The last verse is not accurate, however, since the earth will not simply fade but will be destroyed by fire (2 Pt 3:7). It's very minor though; no need to change the lyrics in my opinion.

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