Chris Brown - LION Lyrics

LION (feat. Chris Brown & Brandon Lake) | Elevation Worship

LION Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

The song "LION," featuring Brandon Lake and Chris Brown, is a powerful worship track from Elevation Worship, released on March 4, 2022, as seen in its accompanying video. The song is characterized by its anthemic structure and potent biblical imagery, serving as a declaration of God's majestic nature and redemptive power. It uses a series of traditional and symbolic titles to describe the divine, such as the "God of Jacob," "Great I Am," "King of Angels," and "Son of Man," emphasizing attributes of ultimate authority and eternal existence. The lyrics also describe a divine voice as overwhelming, like "many waters" and "louder than the thunder," reinforcing the theme of unparalleled power and glory.

Central to the song's message is the repeated invocation and hailing of the "Lion of Judah." This title, deeply rooted in biblical symbolism, represents strength, royalty, and conquering power. The recurring call for the "lion to roar" serves as an impassioned plea or declaration for God's mighty presence and action to be made evident and known. This core declaration forms the backbone of the song, repeated throughout the chorus with increasing intensity.

The lyrical journey expands by introducing the multifaceted nature of the Messiah. The second verse presents the "Pride of Zion" and "Our Messiah," who is both "flesh and bone" and uniquely worthy to open the "Scroll," a reference to divine authority and eschatological judgment. Crucially, this verse contrasts the Messiah's role as the suffering "lamb" with the triumphant power of the "Lion," highlighting the dual aspects of sacrifice and ultimate victory inherent in Christian theology.

A significant section of the song focuses on the theme of preparation, with the repetitive call to "Prepare the way of the Lord." This phrase echoes ancient prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah and serves as a spiritual directive to clear obstacles and make ready for God's manifestation. The imagery associated with this preparation, specifically the call for valleys to be raised and mountains to be made low, is a direct reference to making the path smooth and accessible for a royal or divine arrival, symbolizing the removal of barriers, both physical and spiritual.

Overall, "LION" functions as a triumphant worship anthem celebrating God's sovereign power, holiness, and redemptive work through Christ, depicted as both the sacrificial Lamb and the conquering Lion of Judah. The repetition and strong imagery are designed to build a sense of awe and anticipation, urging listeners to acknowledge and make way for the Lord's powerful presence. The song's structure, moving from declarations of God's nature to the specific identity of the Messiah and finally to a corporate call for preparation, builds towards a climatic expression of praise and anticipation.

Several scripture verses resonate with the themes and language found in the song. The titles used in the opening verses relate to passages such as Exodus 3:14 ("I Am Who I Am") and Daniel 7:13 ("Son of Man"). The central image of the "Lion of Judah" is prominently featured in Revelation 5:5 and also has roots in Genesis 49:9-10. The concept of the Lamb who suffered is found in passages like Isaiah 53:7 and Revelation 5:6. The idea of being worthy to open the scroll is central to Revelation 5:2-5. The repeated call to "Prepare the way of the Lord" and the accompanying imagery of leveling the landscape are direct allusions to Isaiah 40:3-4 and its fulfillment mentioned in the Gospels (e.g., Matthew 3:3, Luke 3:4).