Singer, songwriter, and worship leader Hannah Hobbs has led worship around the globe in front of thousands. Now she has recorded an intimate project featuring a night of worship for her solo debut, Sundown.
For the album, Hannah brought together a group of friends and family from all walks of life in Australia to create a mismatched choir. The recording was done live, capturing the authentic experience of their night of worship, with all the prayers, laughter, and murmuring that took place. For her latest release, "Yes He Lives," she collaborated with Alexander Pappas, another Hillsong worship leader, and songwriter.
The 13 songs were recorded in Sydney, Australia. It includes popular Hillsong tracks, “Touch of Heaven,” “Thank You, Jesus,” “Never Walk Alone,” and “God Song,” all of which she was a co-writer on. Key creative members on the project include Hillsong’s Ben Fielding, Cass Langton, Rita Springer, and more. I had the chance to speak with Hannah about “Yes, He Lives.”
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
“Yes, He Lives” is a song that’ll lift your spirits as you sing along to it—reminding you of the love and power of God. I pray this song reminds people of the victorious love we find in Christ.
The heartbeat behind the project itself was to carve out some space to worship and rest in the presence of God. The word Sabbath comes to us from the Hebrew word ‘Shabbat,’ meaning to stop or rest. We typically observe the Sabbath from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown. A day of worship, rest, and an effort to eliminate distractions and draw near to God.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
John 14:5-7(NIV): "Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you really knew Me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him."
Luke 9:23(VOICE): "If any of you want to walk My path, you're going to have to deny yourself. You'll have to take up your cross every day and follow Me."
John 15:5(NKJV): "I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
Philippians 3:8(NKJV): "Whatever were gains to me, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord."
2 Corinthians 5:17(NKJV): “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
What is the takeaway message?
My hope is that this project will become a ‘sundown’ moment for people. An open door, signifying them stepping into a time of rest and refreshing in God’s presence.
I hope this album serves as an open door for a time of worship and time away with God. These songs can help people when they pour out their love and affection at the feet of Jesus.
We hear about “the way, the truth, and the life.” If you break that down, it means Jesus is our direction and path. He’s the truth that counters the lies and mistruths in our world. He’s the life in abundance. He’s our best life. It’s pretty attractive when you break it all down.
Lyrics
On a hill for sinners His body broken A King forsaken As He hung on that cross
The veil in pieces The temple shaken They mourned the Saviour But it wasn’t for long
Oh, He lives He’s risen from the grave Victorious our Saviour reigns Oh yes, He reigns He rose The stone is rolled away Forever our Redeemer lives Oh yes, He lives
There in the silence It wasn’t over Oh, our Redeemer Was getting ready to rise
And on that morning They came to find Him But that tomb was empty ‘Cause He is alive
Jesus Christ crucified Through His death there is life By the blood of the Lamb We have been forgiven Our debt has been paid There is grace upon grace Only one Name that saves And His name is Jesus
Closing Thoughts
“Yes, He Lives” is an upbeat and modern worship anthem inspired by the Gospel messages of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. What I love about scripture-based songs is that rather than singing about us and how we feel about life, they are focused on how Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life,” as He is whom we are singing these songs about.
God is worthy of all our praise and adoration. That is cause to lift our hearts and voices and proclaim: “Our debt has been paid/There is grace upon grace/Only one Name that saves/And His name is Jesus.”
Despite our troubles and suffering, Jesus is still walking with us now. Let us take heart and stand amazed at God's presence, knowing that His Holy Spirit indwells in each of us who follow Jesus.
I enjoyed reading author David Platt's best-selling books Radical and Follow Me. In these books, he reflects on the meaning of Jesus' invitation to "follow me" and challenges the idea that becoming a follower of Jesus is just a matter of believing certain things or making a verbal declaration of faith.
David says that some people may want to follow Jesus, but only if they don’t have to make any significant changes or disruptions to their current lifestyles, preferences, or religion. But the true call to follow Jesus is more profound and transformative. Becoming a disciple of Jesus means letting go of the things that once defined us and embracing a new life centered on Him.
Jesus opened the way for us to be saved and spend eternity with Him in heaven through His resurrection. If you adopt the message of this song, you’ll be reminded that Jesus is the eternal truth who makes way for us—even in seemingly impossible situations. This is something we can hold on to and find comfort in.
When I listen to this song, I’m more committed to taking up the cross of Jesus and dying to myself, so I can be a better follower of Him as He instructs us in His Word in Luke 9:23: "If any of you want to walk My path, you're going to have to deny yourself. You'll have to take up your cross every day and follow Me."
As believers, we must show our faith during difficult times and through celebration and joy. By leaning into God and expressing our joy, we can bear witness to His power and love in a powerful and inspiring way.
Joy isn't just a happy emotion. It’s also a deep peace and understanding that we are loved beyond any doubt. Don’t be ashamed to sing of your dependence on God and show Him reverence. This is a great new worship song for the church, and I love to sing to Him: “Jesus Christ crucified/Through His death there is life/By the blood of the Lamb/We have been forgiven.” Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a longtime Christian music fan and an avid music collector. He credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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