You know that feeling when a song starts and the entire room just shifts? That’s what happened in 2010. Chris Tomlin released "Our God," and suddenly, it was everywhere. From tiny rural churches to massive stadiums like Passion City, the our god lyrics by chris tomlin became a sort of modern anthem that redefined what contemporary worship looked like for a whole generation.
It's actually kind of wild.
Most songs have a shelf life of maybe six months before they’re relegated to the "throwback" playlist, but this one stuck. It didn't just stick; it became a template. If you’ve spent any time in a sanctuary over the last decade, you’ve heard those opening electric guitar swells. You’ve heard the declaration that water is turning into wine. But there is a specific reason why these lyrics resonated so deeply, and it isn't just because the melody is catchy. It’s because the song manages to be incredibly simple while carrying a massive theological weight.
The Story Behind the Anthem
Honestly, "Our God" wasn't just a solo effort by Tomlin. It was a collaborative powerhouse. He wrote it alongside Matt Redman, Jesse Reeves, and Jonas Myrin. When you get that many heavy hitters in a room, you usually end up with either a total mess or a masterpiece. This time, it was the latter.
They were essentially trying to capture the essence of what it means to have a God who is incomparable. The core of the our god lyrics by chris tomlin focuses on the "greater," the "stronger," and the "higher" nature of the divine. It’s an exercise in superlatives.
I remember reading an interview where they talked about the writing process. They wanted something that felt local but also universal. The opening lines—Water you turned into wine, opened the eyes of the blind—are direct nods to the miracles of Jesus found in the Gospel of John. It’s a grounded start. It tells the listener, "Hey, we are talking about the God of the Bible here."
But then it pivots.
It moves from what He did to who He is. That transition is where the song finds its legs. It goes from historical narrative to personal declaration. That's the secret sauce.
Breaking Down the Impact of Our God Lyrics by Chris Tomlin
Let's look at the bridge. It’s probably the most shouted part of the song in any live setting.
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?
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That’s basically a direct lift from Romans 8:31. It’s interesting because, in a world that feels increasingly chaotic and fragmented, that specific line offers a sense of absolute defiance. It’s not a "please help me" lyric. It’s a "nothing can stop us" lyric. People crave that kind of certainty.
The structure of the song is actually pretty clever. It doesn't use complex metaphors or high-brow poetry. It uses "staccato" truths.
- Our God is Greater.
- Our God is Stronger.
- God, You are Higher than any other.
There’s no room for ambiguity there. In a lot of modern songwriting, writers try to be too clever for their own good. They bury the lead in flowery language. Tomlin does the opposite. He puts the most important thing right in the window.
Interestingly, the song won the Dove Award for "Worship Song of the Year" and was nominated for a Grammy. It even crossed over into mainstream awareness in ways few "church songs" do. You’d hear it in sports montages or on reality TV show background tracks. It had a universal "underdog" energy that people latched onto, even if they didn't share the underlying faith.
Why the Simplicity Works (And Why Critics Sometimes Hate It)
If you talk to music critics or some "high church" traditionalists, they’ll sometimes roll their eyes at the our god lyrics by chris tomlin. They call it "7-11 music"—seven words sung eleven times. They think it's repetitive.
And they're right. It is repetitive.
But that’s literally the point.
Repetition is how humans process big ideas. If you’re trying to convince your brain that a "God is for you" despite your life falling apart, you probably need to say it more than once. The repetition in these lyrics acts as a mantra. It’s designed to bypass the analytical mind and go straight to the gut.
Also, look at the syllable count.
Our. God. Is. Grea-ter. It’s four beats. It matches a heartbeat. It’s easy for a crowd of 50,000 people to sing in unison without looking at a screen. You can't do that with a complex 18th-century hymn with twelve verses and a shifting time signature. Tomlin knows his audience. He’s writing for the person in the back row who had a hard week and just needs something they can lean on without having to think too hard.
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Real-World Usage and the "Passion" Effect
The song really took flight at the Passion Conferences. If you haven't seen the videos of those events, they’re intense. Thousands of college students basically screaming these lyrics.
When you hear a sea of voices singing Into the darkness You shine, out of the ashes we rise, it does something to the atmosphere. It’s a narrative of redemption. We like stories where things get better. We like the idea that ashes aren't the end of the story.
It’s also worth noting how the song is arranged. It starts with that driving, muted guitar riff. It builds. It’s a crescendo. The music supports the lyrics perfectly. By the time you get to the "Our God is Greater" part, the instruments have reached a peak that makes the words feel earned.
A Look at the Cultural Footprint
Since 2010, the song has been translated into dozens of languages. You can find versions in Spanish (Cuán Grande Es Dios... wait, no, that's the other one. For "Our God," it's usually Dios es Grande), Portuguese, Korean, and Mandarin.
This global reach is a testament to the simplicity I mentioned earlier. Basic truths translate well. If a song is too culturally specific or uses too much slang, it dies at the border. But the concept of a God who is "higher than any other" is a universal pillar of the Christian faith.
One thing people often forget is that Chris Tomlin’s goal isn't to be a "rock star." He’s often said that his job is to provide the "church's songbook." In that context, "Our God" is one of his most successful entries. It’s a utility song. It works for a wedding. It works for a funeral. It works for a random Tuesday morning.
The Technical Side of the Lyrics
Musically, the song is in the key of G (mostly), which is the most "guitar-friendly" key on the planet. This was an intentional choice. Tomlin and his team want people to play these songs at home.
The phrasing of the our god lyrics by chris tomlin follows a classic pop structure:
- Verse 1: Establishes the power (miracles).
- Verse 2: Establishes the light (hope).
- Chorus: The "What" (God's attributes).
- Bridge: The "So What?" (If God is for us...).
It’s a logical progression. It answers the question "Who are we talking about?" and then "Why does it matter to me?"
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I've seen some discussions on Reddit and worship leader forums where people argue about the line Into the darkness You shine. Some people think it’s a bit cliché. But clichés are clichés because they are true. In a dark room, even a tiny candle is a big deal. Tomlin isn't trying to be Shakespeare; he's trying to be a lighthouse.
Nuance and the Critics
It’s fair to acknowledge that not everyone loves the "stadium rock" vibe of modern worship. Some theologians argue that these songs focus too much on God's power and not enough on His suffering or His "quietness."
There is a valid point there. "Our God" is a "high-energy" song. It doesn't leave much room for lament. But then again, you don't use a hammer to turn a screw. This song is a hammer. It’s for building confidence. If you’re looking for a song about grieving or sitting in silence, you’d probably pick something else from Tomlin’s catalog or look toward someone like Audrey Assad.
Actionable Takeaways for Listeners and Musicians
If you’re looking to really engage with this song or even perform it, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Focus on the Bridge
The bridge is the heart of the song. If you’re singing it, don't rush through the "If our God is for us" section. That’s where the emotional payoff is. Let it breathe.
Understand the Reference
Read Romans 8 and the first few chapters of John. Knowing the source material for the lyrics makes them feel less like "lyrics" and more like "testimony." It changes how you deliver the words.
Keep it Accessible
If you’re a musician, don't overcomplicate the arrangement. The beauty of the our god lyrics by chris tomlin is their clarity. If you add too many fancy runs or weird chords, you take away the ability for others to sing along.
Internalize the Contrast
Notice the movement from "Water into Wine" (The Physical) to "Out of the ashes we rise" (The Spiritual/Emotional). It’s a journey from the external to the internal.
Ultimately, "Our God" isn't a song that's going away anytime soon. It’s baked into the DNA of modern spiritual music. It’s simple, it’s loud, and it’s unapologetic. Whether you’re listening to it on a commute or singing it with thousands of people, the message remains the same: it’s about a power that is bigger than whatever problem you’re facing today.
And honestly? Sometimes that’s exactly what you need to hear. No complicated metaphors required. Just a reminder that something greater is out there.
To get the most out of the song, try listening to the And If Our God Is For Us... album version first to get the studio intent, then watch the live Passion version. The difference in energy will show you exactly why this song became a global phenomenon. Focus on how the lyrics bridge the gap between ancient scripture and modern anxiety—it's a masterclass in songwriting efficiency.