Hillsong - I Will Lift My Voice Lyrics
Lyrics
Verse 1
I will lift my voice
To the King of kings
As an offering to Him
I will lift my heart
To the King of kings
As an offering to Him
Chorus
Jesus how I love You
I will worship You alone
Jesus precious Jesus
I will serve You alone
Verse 2
I will lift my hands
To the Lord of lords
As an offering to Him
I will lift my life
To the Lord of lords
As an offering to Him
Words and Music by Geoff Bullock
Video
Adonai - Hillsong Worship
Meaning & Inspiration
"I Will Lift My Voice," penned by Geoff Bullock, finds its place on Hillsong Worship's powerful 2017 album, *Adonai*. This song serves as a profound declaration of surrender and devotion, inviting believers into a contemplative space where the essence of worship is laid bare. Far from a mere performance, it encapsulates a comprehensive theology of offering, articulating how every facet of one's being can be consecrated to the Divine. The true story behind its meaning is not a dramatic narrative, but rather the timeless aspiration of a believer to give their all to God, echoing the ancient calls to worship found throughout scripture. It’s a lyrical blueprint for wholehearted dedication, an anthem of personal consecration that transcends fleeting emotion for enduring commitment.
The opening verse immediately sets a tone of intentional worship: "I will lift my voice / To the King of kings / As an offering to Him." This act of lifting one's voice is more than just singing; it represents proclamation, praise, and prayer made audibly. Addressing God as "King of kings" profoundly acknowledges His supreme authority and sovereignty, a title frequently used in scripture to denote ultimate power and majesty, as seen in Revelation 19:16 and 1 Timothy 6:15. The crucial phrase "as an offering to Him" elevates this vocal expression from a simple utterance to a sacrificial act, much like the "sacrifice of praise" mentioned in Hebrews 13:15, urging us to offer more than just sounds but intentional devotion. The verse continues with "I will lift my heart / To the King of kings / As an offering to Him," deepening the commitment. Here, the heart, understood biblically as the seat of our will, emotions, and intellect, is presented to God. This speaks to the truth that genuine worship must originate from an inner transformation and sincere affection, not just outward displays. Matthew 15:8 warns against worship that is only lip-service, emphasizing that true devotion emanates from a heart fully engaged with God. Offering one's heart signifies a surrender of one's deepest desires and allegiances to His perfect will, echoing Proverbs 4:23 to "guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."
The chorus serves as the core of this devotion, a direct address to Christ: "Jesus how I love You / I will worship You alone / Jesus precious Jesus / I will serve You alone." This powerful refrain grounds the offering in the person of Jesus, emphasizing the unique and exclusive nature of Christian worship. The declaration of love for Jesus is foundational, reflecting the greatest commandment to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30). The repeated assertion, "I will worship You alone" and "I will serve You alone," powerfully reaffirms the monotheistic core of faith, rejecting any form of idolatry or divided loyalty. It mirrors the command in Exodus 20:3, "You shall have no other gods before me," and Jesus' own words in Luke 4:8, "Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only." This dual commitment to worship and service underscores that devotion is not passive but active, demanding both adoration and obedience in every aspect of life, just as Joshua declared in Joshua 24:15, "as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
Building upon these commitments, the second verse extends the offering to physical and holistic surrender: "I will lift my hands / To the Lord of lords / As an offering to Him." Lifting hands in worship is an ancient and widely recognized posture of surrender, adoration, and prayer, a physical manifestation of an inward posture. Psalm 134:2 invites us to "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord," and 1 Timothy 2:8 encourages men to "lift holy hands in prayer." This gesture, when framed "as an offering," transcends mere physicality to become a spiritual act of submission and praise. The title "Lord of lords" reiterates God’s supreme dominion, mirroring the "King of kings" from the first verse, reinforcing His ultimate authority. The profound culmination arrives with "I will lift my life / To the Lord of lords / As an offering to Him." This is the pinnacle of the song's message, a commitment to complete consecration. It encompasses all previous declarations—the voice, the heart, the hands—and extends them to the entirety of one's existence. This echoes Paul's exhortation in Romans 12:1 to "present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." To offer one's life is to dedicate every moment, every decision, every dream, and every purpose to God's glory, transforming everyday existence into an act of worship. It’s a bold statement of faith that resonates deeply with the call to live entirely for Christ, as Philippians 1:21 declares, "For to me, to live is Christ."
"I Will Lift My Voice" thus stands as a timeless anthem of devotion, meticulously outlining the various dimensions of worship and surrender. It is a powerful reminder that genuine faith demands a holistic offering—not just of our words or emotions, but of our very existence. This song encourages believers to examine their own lives and ask whether their voice, heart, hands, and indeed their entire being are truly lifted "as an offering" to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Its message is clear: worship is an all-encompassing act of love and service, a profound commitment to God alone.