Awesome Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
The song "Awesome" by Pastor Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago is a significant piece within contemporary gospel music. The official music video for the song was released on June 8, 2012, introducing its message to a wide audience. Rooted in a church context, the song functions as an anthem of worship and declaration, affirming the power and nature of God. Its simple yet profound lyrics contribute to its accessibility and widespread appeal in praise and worship settings.
The core message conveyed throughout the song centers on the magnificent attributes and actions of God. It speaks to God's ability to overcome immense obstacles, symbolized by the phrase "move mountains," and His constant presence and protection during difficult times, depicted as keeping one in the valley and hiding from the rain. The lyrics also highlight God's role as a healer for the broken and a source of strength for the weak, emphasizing His eternal reign. This focus establishes God as the ultimate source of power, comfort, and stability in life's challenges.
Further expanding on God's character, the song identifies Him as the Savior of the entire world, the giver of salvation. It references healing through His suffering, acknowledging a central tenet of faith regarding redemption and physical restoration. The song expresses the personal experience of forgiveness and attributes one's very existence and sustenance to God's grace, culminating in a call to praise His holy name. This section moves from universal truths about God's saving work to a personal testimony of His grace and forgiveness.
The song draws heavily on biblical concepts regarding God's nature and interaction with humanity. The theme of God's power over challenges aligns with scriptures such as Matthew 17:20, which speaks of faith and moving mountains. The concept of divine healing through sacrifice is reflected in verses like Isaiah 53:5. God's role as a protector and provider resonates with numerous psalms, including Psalm 91 and Psalm 23, and passages like Philippians 4:19. The declaration of God as mighty, holy, and great echoes descriptions found throughout the Old and New Testaments, such as Exodus 15:6, Isaiah 6:3, and Psalm 145:3. The acknowledgement of salvation and forgiveness through grace is central to New Testament teachings in books like Ephesians and Romans.
The repeated declaration of "awesome" serves as both a descriptor of God's ineffable nature and an act of worship. Combined with the listing of specific attributes like mighty, holy, great, deliverer, provider, and protector, the song builds a comprehensive picture of God as the all-sufficient and deserving recipient of praise. The structure, moving from specific acts of God to a broad declaration of His attributes, reinforces the message of His greatness and elicits a response of awe and worship from the listener.