Shane & Shane - Hosanna Lyrics
Lyrics
I see the king of glory Coming on the clouds with fire The whole earth shakes The whole earth shakes, yeah
I see his love and mercy Washing over all our sin The people sing The people sing
Hosanna, Hosanna Hosanna in the highest Hosanna, Hosanna Hosanna in the highest
I see a generation Rising up to take their place With selfless faith With selfless faith
I see a near revival Stirring as we pray and seek We're on our knees We're on our knees
Hosanna, Hosanna Hosanna in the highest Hosanna, Hosanna Hosanna in the highest
Heal my heart and make it clean Open up my eyes to the things unseen Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks yours Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause As I walk from earth into eternity
Hosanna, Hosanna Hosanna in the highest Hosanna, Hosanna Hosanna in the highest ...
Video
Hosanna by Shane & Shane (Lyrics)
Meaning & Inspiration
Shane & Shane's "Hosanna," released on May 27, 2014, as part of *The Worship Initiative, Vol. 2*, is a powerful declaration of faith that transcends mere musical expression to become a profound act of worship. The song immediately immerses the listener in a vision of divine majesty, describing "the king of glory" arriving "on the clouds with fire," a powerful allusion to biblical prophecies of Christ's second coming, particularly echoing passages like Revelation 1:7 which states, "Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him." The accompanying imagery of the earth shaking, "the whole earth shakes," conveys the awe-inspiring magnitude and transformative power of God's presence, reflecting Old Testament accounts of divine encounters such as God's descent upon Mount Sinai in Exodus 19:18, "Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire." This foundational vision then shifts to the redemptive aspect of this divine arrival, as the song speaks of "his love and mercy, washing over all our sin." This speaks directly to the heart of the Gospel, referencing the cleansing power of Jesus' sacrifice as described in Hebrews 9:14, "how much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God?" The affirmation that "the people sing" becomes a response of joy and gratitude, a collective embrace of this salvific truth.
The recurring refrain, "Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest," is not just a catchy chorus but a profound cry of acclamation and petition. "Hosanna" itself is a Hebrew word derived from the Psalmist's plea, "Save us, we pray, O LORD!" (Psalm 118:25). This ancient cry, famously shouted by the crowds welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem in Matthew 21:9 – "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!" – is revitalized here. It signifies both praise for who Jesus is and a desperate plea for salvation and divine intervention, recognizing His supreme authority and place "in the highest." The song then expands this worship into a vision of hope for the future, describing "a generation, rising up to take their place, with selfless faith." This speaks to a spiritual awakening, a movement of believers empowered by the Holy Spirit to actively participate in God's redemptive work. It echoes the call to discipleship found throughout the New Testament, urging believers to lay down their lives for the sake of the Kingdom, mirroring Jesus' words in Matthew 16:24, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." Furthermore, the song envisions "a near revival, stirring as we pray and seek, we're on our knees," a testament to the power of persistent prayer and earnest seeking of God. This resonates with promises like 2 Chronicles 7:14, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
The bridge of "Hosanna" offers a deeply personal prayer and commitment, moving from corporate worship to individual surrender. The plea, "Heal my heart and make it clean," is a direct invocation for spiritual renewal, a desire to be purified from sin and made whole. This aligns with David's prayer in Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." The desire to "open up my eyes to the things unseen" signifies a yearning for spiritual discernment and a deeper understanding of God's kingdom and purposes, as Paul prays in Ephesians 1:18 for the eyes of our hearts to be enlightened. The aspiration to "Show me how to love like you have loved me" is the ultimate expression of Christian discipleship, seeking to emulate Christ's selfless and sacrificial love, as commanded in John 13:34, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." The song’s powerful conclusion, "Break my heart for what breaks yours, Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause," encapsulates a complete dedication of one's life to God's will and glory. This is a profound surrender, mirroring the apostle Paul's declaration in Romans 12:1, to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service. The final lines, "As I walk from earth into eternity," speak of the enduring hope and the ultimate destination of the faithful, a promise found in scriptures like John 14:2-3, "My Father’s house has many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." Shane & Shane's "Hosanna" is thus a rich tapestry of biblical truth, weaving together prophetic anticipation, the redemptive power of Christ, the call to communal worship, the power of prayer, and the personal commitment of a surrendered life, all centered on the glorious name of Jesus.