التخطي إلى المحتوى الرئيسي

"Oh Praise" by Amy Hillis: Capturing the Tension and Triumph of Easter


"Oh Praise" by Amy Hillis is an intriguing song that captures both the weight and the wonder of the cross. It asks us to think about who we really are! When we read the accounts of the Crucifixion of Jesus with sober, honest eyes, do we see ourselves in the violent mob of people? Do we see ourselves in Pilate, who simply washes his hands of this tragedy? Do we find ourselves walking free after the crowd chose to kill the innocent—our Savior—over us, the guilty? Our ideal reality says that we would have come to the defense of Jesus. Deep in our heart we see ourselves in the eyes of Jesus as he says, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."

Amy Hillis - Oh PraiseHe loves us, regardless of our imperfections, and this makes the collision between God's holiness and His incomparable love for us more clear. Jesus knew there was more to his death. "The blood that spilled down from His veins // Dripped with mercy and called my name," reminding us that His sacrifice is very personal. Jesus' sacrifice wasn't just for the masses —it was for each and every one of us! 

The chorus of the song bursts with gratitude: "Oh, praise // The One who gave me life beyond the grave." It reminds us that there is nothing that we can do or say to deserve this. His redeeming blood "speaks a better word than all my shame." Even creation itself couldn't stay silent when He bore the full weight of sin—"The earth was touched with crimson stain // Rocked with grief, began to shake."

In the final verse the victory is sealed: "Joseph's tomb could not contain // The humble king who died to save." Death lost its grip on Him, and through Him, death also loses its grip on us. The weight of sin and death is too much for us to bear, but the weight of the glory and grace of God is too much for sin and death. We cling to a Savior who willingly took on the most gruesome, painful, and agonizing death in order that we might have abundant, hopeful, and joyful life in the Father. May this song be a reminder of why we worship and cry… "Oh, Praise!"

(Related scripture: Isaiah 53:5; Hebrews 2:14-15; Revelation 1:5)

Connect with Amy Hillis

Would you like to hear more CCM music? Then check out our Christian playlists on: https://www.christiandance.eu/playlists

PS: Did you know that the posts we have on Christian Music Today also contain the backstories that artists have shared with us? Check it out on: https://christianmusictoday.eu/

Tags:

Popular posts

'Lonely Dirt Road' by Dax: A Journey to Solitude and God

Dax's 'Lonely Dirt Road' is a conversation that Dax has with himself and God. Dax shares his journey of turning mental health walks into healing solitary drives. As you listen, you can almost feel the cruise, where it's just you, your thoughts, and God.  The chorus is so relatable: 'When I need space, that's where I go, a place to escape that nobody knows.' What do you do when life's pressures stack high? Do you also have a space where you can let go? That lonely dirt road that Dax sings about symbolizes solitude, but it is also an incredible opportunity for connecting with God.  Dax's honesty is raw and relatable. 'I didn't want my family to see me cry… dealing with the pressure of trying to provide.' There are times when we all put on a smile to hide how challenging situations may be. Like his father, Dax says that he finds peace on this lonely road, where challenges become opportunities to grow. This shows the core of our faith: that...
More >>

"the cost (given for us)" by HOMECOMING: Feeling the Weight of Grace

HOMECOMING's "the cost (given for us)" looks at the weight of what Jesus gave up to save humanity. The backstory that HOMECOMING wrote this song after talking about how easy it is to say "Jesus died for me" without really thinking about what that means. Like, what did it actually cost Him? Their approach wasn't to create another "thank You" song, but a song that invites us to slow down and truly feel the sacrifice He made. His sacrifice wasn't just a painful moment on a cross. It was everything. He gave up heaven. He was rejected, betrayed, beaten… and He still chose the cross for us. That kind of love doesn't make sense. But it's real. The lyrics give words to the awe we feel: "You took my place // How can it be // By your grace I'm saved." And lines like "Your blood washed me clean" and "By your stripes I'm healed" remind us of the freedom and healing that He paid for. Then comes the part that ...
More >>

"Wanna Be Like You" by One Common: Letting Go of People-Pleasing for Good

"Wanna Be Like You" by One Common is an interesting song that was born out of this duo's struggles with wanting to please people and the pressure they felt to perform. The song reminds us to stop chasing others for their approval and start chasing Jesus instead. "I'm so done tryna be someone else just to keep people's attention," they sing. It can be very exhausting to constantly pretend and perform. The song reminds us to keep our hearts and lives centered on Jesus—the only one who truly is worthy of being our role model. Not for applause. Not for attention. But because His way is the only one that brings real peace and fulfillment in our lives.  The need to please others and perform is probably a feeling that many of us know all too well — but it doesn't have to define us.  The lyrics of the song put the issue right there on the table: "Who am I tryna be, who am I tryna please? That's the question." And the answer? Ofcourse, Jesus i...
More >>