Janet Paschal - Celebrate Jesus' Name Lyrics
Lyrics
Let's put our hands together
We're gonna celebrate Jesus' name
Put our hearts in motion
His precious words proclaim
Putting our past behind us
And looking for the appointed day
Put out hands together now
And celebrate Jesus' name
The smile upon each face here
Is such a sight to see
God's love and sweet anointing
Is here for you and me
Oh, what a celebration
I feel the Spirit here today
Put out hands together now
And celebrate Jesus' name
Let's put our hands together
We're gonna celebrate Jesus' name
Put our hearts in motion
His precious words proclaim
Putting our past behind us
And looking for the appointed day
Put out hands together now
And celebrate Jesus' name
Come one, come all to join us
In this joyful way
You know that Jesus died to redeem us
And then He rose again on the third day
Open up your heart to Him
His truth an everlasting song
Put out hands together now
And celebrate Jesus' love
Let's put our hands together
We're gonna celebrate Jesus' name
Put our hearts in motion
His precious words proclaim
Putting our past behind us
And looking for the appointed day
Put out hands together now
And celebrate Jesus' name
Let's put our hands together
We're gonna celebrate Jesus' name
Put our hearts in motion
His precious words proclaim
Putting our past behind us
And looking for the appointed day
Put out hands together now
And celebrate Jesus' name
We're gonna celebrate Jesus' name
(Celebrate)
Celebrate Jesus' name
(Let's celebrate)
Video
Celebrate Jesus' Name
Meaning & Inspiration
Janet Paschal's "Celebrate Jesus' Name," released on July 5, 1988, as part of her self-titled album, is a powerful anthem of faith and communal worship. This song isn't merely a collection of pleasant sounds; it's a declaration rooted in the core tenets of Christian belief, inviting listeners to actively participate in celebrating the redemptive work of Christ. The central theme revolves around the profound joy and peace found in acknowledging and exalting Jesus, urging believers to leave their past burdens behind and focus on the hopeful future promised through His resurrection.
The lyrics explicitly call for collective action, "Let's put our hands together," signifying unity and shared devotion. This act of coming together is not just a physical gesture but a spiritual one, mirroring the biblical encouragement to gather in fellowship and praise. The proclamation that "His precious words proclaim" points directly to the Holy Scriptures, the foundation of Christian teaching and the source of eternal truth. The phrase "putting our past behind us" resonates with the Apostle Paul's teaching in Philippians 3:13-14, where he states, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has called me heavenward." This theme of renewal and forward-looking hope is a hallmark of the Christian journey.
The song beautifully captures the palpable presence of God, describing the "smile upon each face here" as evidence of "God's love and sweet anointing." This experience of God's presence is not exclusive but is declared "here for you and me," underscoring the universal availability of His grace. The feeling of the Spirit's presence, described as "what a celebration," aligns with the prophetic promise in Joel 2:28-29 and its New Testament fulfillment in Acts 2:17-18, where the Holy Spirit would be poured out upon all people, empowering them for service and worship. The invitation, "Come one, come all to join us," extends this joyous invitation to everyone, emphasizing that Jesus' sacrifice and subsequent resurrection on the third day are the central pillars of this celebration. This core message echoes 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, which states that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. The call to "Open up your heart to Him" is a direct appeal to accept Christ, the source of "truth an everlasting song," which can be seen as a reflection of Jesus' own words in John 14:6, where He identifies Himself as "the way and the truth and the life." The repeated refrain, "Put our hands together now, and celebrate Jesus' name," serves as a powerful, unifying call to action, transforming the listener from a passive observer to an active participant in this profound expression of faith and gratitude.