Every knee shall bow

About This Song

Every Knee Shall Bow closes the album with the great hymn of Philippians 2 — the full arc of Christ: equal with God, yet taking the place of a servant; humbled to death on a cross; therefore exalted to the highest place and given the name above every name. The choir traces the descent and the exaltation until the whole album lands on one confession: Jesus Christ is Lord.

Devotional

Philippians 2 may be the church's oldest hymn — Paul quotes it as something believers already knew by heart. And its shape is a V: down, down, down — servant, human, obedient, cross — then up: exalted, the highest place, the name above every name.

The way up in God's kingdom runs downward first. Jesus did not cling to His rights; He emptied Himself. And the Father answered that humility with the highest honor heaven can give.

One day every knee will bow — in heaven, on earth, under the earth. The only question is whether we bow now, in love, or then, in acknowledgment.

Reflect: What are you clinging to that Jesus is asking you to lay down? The way of the cross is still the way up.

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Jesus — the name above all names
Christ Jesus, in very nature God
Did not cling to honor
But humbled Himself
He took the place of a servant
He walked among us in human form
He humbled Himself
Even death upon the cross

[Verse 2]
He bore our shame, He carried our sin
He gave His life to bring us home
The spotless Lamb upon the cross
The Son of God gave all for us

[Verse 3]
Therefore God has exalted Him
To the highest place, above every power
He gave Him the name above every name
The name above every name: Jesus

[Chorus]
At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow
At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow
In heaven above, on the earth below
At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow

[Verse 4]
And every tongue confess
Every nation confess, every people confess
Jesus Christ is Lord
Jesus Christ is Lord, forevermore
King above all kings, Lord above all lords
Jesus Christ is Lord, forevermore

[Call and Response]
Who has the highest name? Jesus!
Who reigns above all things? Jesus!
Who conquered death and rose? Jesus!
Who is Lord of all? Jesus!

[Final Chorus]
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess
Jesus Christ is Lord, Jesus Christ is Lord
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess
Jesus Christ is Lord, Jesus Christ is Lord
To the glory of God the Father
Jesus Christ is Lord, forevermore
In heaven, on earth, and under the earth
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess
Jesus Christ is Lord

[Outro]
Jesus — the name above all names
Jesus Christ is Lord