It starts with a heartbeat. Not literally, of course, but that steady, rhythmic thumping of the kick drum that feels like it’s vibrating right in your chest. If you’ve spent any time in a modern church or scrolled through a worship playlist on Spotify lately, you’ve heard it. Lion by Elevation Worship isn’t just another Sunday morning ballad. It’s loud. It’s aggressive. It’s kind of startling if you’re used to the soft, piano-driven "Kumbaya" vibes of yesteryear.
People are obsessed with the Lion Elevation Worship lyrics because they tap into something primal. We’re talking about a song that debuted in 2022 on the album of the same name and immediately tore through the Christian music charts. Written by Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, and Brandon Lake, it’s a track that balances two very different sides of the same coin: the "Lamb" and the "Lion."
But honestly? Most people just want to scream-sing the bridge.
The Theology Behind the Roar
Let’s look at what’s actually happening in these lyrics. You have this constant juxtaposition. One minute, the song is talking about a "Lamb" who was slain—very traditional, very gentle imagery. Then, out of nowhere, it pivots to this "Lion" that is roaring through the heavens. It’s a reference to the Book of Revelation, specifically the idea of Jesus as both the sacrificial lamb and the reigning King of Judah.
The song doesn't play it safe.
✨ Don't miss: Why 366 days in a year is actually a clever fix for a broken calendar
"God of Jacob, Great I Am / A King in the form of a Lamb."
That’s the opening hook. It’s simple, but it sets the stage for a massive shift in energy. What makes the Lion Elevation Worship lyrics so effective for a live audience is how they build tension. It’s a slow burn that leads to a sonic explosion. Brandon Lake’s vocal delivery on the track is legendary at this point—it’s gritty and raw, which is exactly what a song titled "Lion" needs. If it were too polished, it wouldn't work. It needs that edge.
Why "Roar" is More Than Just a Metaphor
In the bridge, the lyrics repeatedly call for the Lion to "roar." To the casual listener, that might just sound like cool imagery. But for the community singing this, it represents a demand for justice, for presence, and for power in a world that feels pretty chaotic right now.
When people search for these lyrics, they aren't just looking for the words so they can sing along in their cars. They’re looking for a specific feeling. There’s a psychological release in worship music that hits these high-intensity peaks. You feel it in the room. The air gets heavy.
Breaking Down the Verse Structure
Most worship songs follow a very predictable A-B-A-B-C-B structure. Lion mostly sticks to the script, but it stretches the "C" section—the bridge—into something that feels almost endless.
The first verse is all about history. It’s grounded. It mentions the "God of Jacob." It’s establishing authority. Then the chorus hits, and the scope expands. We move from the personal to the universal.
- The Lamb: Represents humility, sacrifice, and the past.
- The Lion: Represents authority, the future, and power.
- The Roar: Represents the active, present intervention of the divine.
It’s actually pretty clever songwriting. By the time you get to the end of the song, you've gone through a mini-theological journey. You start with the quiet sacrifice and end with the loud, earth-shaking reign.
Does it sound like other Elevation songs?
Kinda. Elevation Worship has a "sound." You know it when you hear it. It’s big, it’s cinematic, and it uses a lot of ambient pads. But Lion pushed them into a more "rock" territory that they hadn't fully committed to before. It’s less "Oceans" (Hillsong) and more "Welcome to the Jungle" (if Axl Rose did Sunday service).
Why the Lyrics Struck a Chord During a Global Shift
Think about when this song dropped. The world was coming out of a period of intense isolation and fear. People were tired of being quiet. They were tired of "gentle." They wanted something that sounded like it could break down walls.
The Lion Elevation Worship lyrics provided a vocabulary for that frustration and hope.
"Prepare the way / Prepare the way of the Lord."
This isn't a suggestion in the song; it’s a command. The lyrics demand attention. When you look at the YouTube comments on the official video—which has tens of millions of views—you see a recurring theme: people feel "emboldened" when they listen to it. It’s an anthem.
The Brandon Lake Factor
We have to talk about Brandon Lake. While Elevation Worship is a collective, Lake’s influence on this specific track is massive. He’s known for a "prophetic" style of singing—lots of ad-libs, lots of vocal gravel. He brings a wildness to the lyrics that a standard choir leader might lack. When he shouts for the "Lion to roar," you actually believe he hears something.
Common Misconceptions About the Lyrics
Some critics of modern worship music say the lyrics are too shallow. They call it "7-11 music"—seven words sung eleven times.
While Lion definitely has a lot of repetition, it’s not mindless. The repetition is the point. It’s meant to be meditative. In the same way a mantra works, repeating "Hail, hail Lion of Judah" over and over creates a trance-like state for the worshipper. It shifts the focus from the self to the subject of the song.
Also, some people get confused by the "God of Jacob" reference. Why Jacob? Why not Abraham or Isaac? In biblical terms, Jacob is often the "wrestler." He’s the one who struggled with God. Using his name in the opening line acknowledges that worship isn't always easy. It’s often born out of a struggle.
How to Use These Lyrics in a Service
If you’re a worship leader looking to implement this, don’t just copy the recording. You probably don’t have Brandon Lake’s vocal chords, and that’s okay.
- Focus on the dynamics. If you start at a 10, you have nowhere to go. Start at a 3. Let the "Lamb" section be quiet.
- The bridge is the climax. Don’t rush it. Let the repetition build the energy naturally.
- Explain the "Why." Briefly mentioning the Lion and Lamb imagery before starting can help the congregation connect with the depth of the words.
People love this song because it feels authentic. It doesn’t pretend that the world is perfect; it claims that there is a power loud enough to overcome the mess.
Actionable Steps for Deepening Your Connection to the Song
If you want to move beyond just humming the tune, here is how you can actually engage with the Lion Elevation Worship lyrics on a deeper level:
Read the Source Material
Open up Revelation 5. This is the "cheat sheet" for the song. When you read about the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" who is also the "Lamb looking as if it had been slain," the lyrics will suddenly make a lot more sense.
Watch the Live Version
Don't just listen to the studio track. Watch the live recording from Elevation Ballantyne. Pay attention to the transitions. Notice how the musicians use their instruments to mimic a "roar"—the heavy cymbals, the overdriven guitars. It helps you understand the intent behind the lyrics.
Analyze the Contrast
Write down the lyrics and circle every "soft" word (Lamb, sacrifice, grace) and every "hard" word (Lion, roar, pride, King). Seeing the balance on paper shows you why the song feels so well-rounded. It’s not just "angry" and it’s not just "sweet." It’s both.
Personal Application
Think about which version of the "Lion" you need right now. Do you need the Lamb (comfort and peace) or do you need the Lion (strength and breakthrough)? The song allows room for both, which is why it remains a staple in playlists years after its release.
By understanding the dual nature of these lyrics, you stop just singing a song and start participating in a story. It’s a story of power, humility, and a roar that supposedly changes everything.