Hillsong Worship - One Thing Lyrics
Lyrics
Verse 1:
One thing I desire
One thing I seek
To gaze upon Your beauty
Your Majesty
Verse 2:
God of my salvation
Lifter of my head
Teach me how to live O Lord
In your righteousness
Pre Chorus:
So I pray to You
So I pray to You
Chorus:
Lord Your name
Is higher than the heavens
Lord Your name
Is higher than all created things
Higher than hope
Higher than dreams
The name of the Lord
Verse 3:
In the days of trouble
You cover me
In the secret place of refuge
Lord I will sing
Bridge:
I will seek Your face
Call upon Your Name
Jesus
All I want is You
Jesus
Jesus
Video
One Thing - Hillsong Worship
Meaning & Inspiration
"One Thing," a powerful track from Hillsong Worship's 2015 album *Open Heaven / River Wild*, distills a profound spiritual aspiration into a compelling declaration of devotion. The song's genesis lies in a deep yearning for divine intimacy, a desire to anchor one's entire existence in the glorious presence of God. This central theme echoes the ancient wisdom found in Psalm 27:4, which declares, "One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple." The lyrics, in their simplicity, capture this singular focus, articulating a desire to not merely observe but to "gaze upon Your beauty, Your Majesty." This isn't a fleeting wish, but a sustained pursuit, a deliberate seeking as expressed in Verse 2: "God of my salvation, Lifter of my head." Here, the singer acknowledges God's foundational role, the one who provides deliverance and dignity, and implores Him to guide their life in His path of righteousness, a sentiment deeply rooted in prayers for spiritual formation found throughout the Psalms and the teachings of Jesus.
The pre-chorus, with its gentle repetition of "So I pray to You," acts as a bridge, shifting the focus from personal desire to active communion. It’s in this posture of prayer that the song blossoms into its powerful chorus, exalting the transcendent nature of God's name. The declaration that "Lord Your name is higher than the heavens, Lord Your name is higher than all created things" is a direct nod to biblical affirmations of God's ultimate sovereignty and supreme authority. Isaiah 55:9 beautifully encapsulates this idea: "For as the heavens have higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." This elevation extends beyond the physical realm, encompassing abstract concepts like hope and dreams, asserting that God's inherent glory and power far surpass any human aspiration or expectation. The repetition of "The name of the Lord" reinforces the weight and significance attributed to His identity.
The third verse shifts to a context of adversity, where the song's core message gains even greater resilience. "In the days of trouble, You cover me," the singer proclaims, finding solace and security in God's protection. This speaks to the refuge found in divine presence, a theme consistently explored in Scripture, particularly in passages like Psalm 91, which assures protection for those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High. The "secret place of refuge" is not a physical location but a spiritual reality, an intimate communion with God where strength and song are found even amidst hardship. The bridge then brings it all home with a fervent, direct appeal: "I will seek Your face, Call upon Your Name, Jesus." This unreserved surrender to Jesus Christ as the ultimate object of desire, the singular focus of all longing, encapsulates the song's profound message. It is a commitment to actively pursue God, to make His presence the paramount pursuit in life, underscoring the truth that in Him alone is found true fulfillment and lasting peace. The song, therefore, is not merely a musical offering, but a theological and devotional statement, a call to a life centered on the unwavering adoration and pursuit of the divine.