Song Highlight: Is He Worthy?
This week’s hymn was written by singer/songwriter Andrew Peterson in 2018 as part of an album reflecting on the Christian’s hope in the resurrection. The song, Is He Worthy?, is a caller/response song, which means one line asks a question and the next line responds with an answer. The song is based on Revelation 5:1-5, 7:9-10, and 21:1-5 which reads (in order),
Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” (ESV)
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (ESV)
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (ESV)
The questions are not asked because we are doubting that Jesus is worthy, but because we resolutely affirm with the hosts of Heaven that He alone is worthy. There is no one else in heaven or earth or under the earth that is worthy of this. Not even the mighty and sinless angels are worthy. Christ alone is worthy to open the scroll and break it’s seals. As a result, He is worthy of all blessing, honor and glory. In light of this glorious truth, the rest of the song reminds us of the glorious nature of God, His love for His children, and His promise that He will come again to restore and make all things new. It is then that he will dwell with all his people from every tribe, tongue, and nation forever and ever. It truly is a beautiful song and one that should bring us much comfort and peace since our hope is in Him alone who is worthy of all glory.
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