“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name” – Philippians 2:9
Written in 2002, “In Christ Alone” was a collaborative effort between Stuart Townend and fellow songwriter Keith Getty. “The song came about in an unusual way,” Stuart explains. “Keith and I met in the autumn of 2000 at a worship event, and we resolved to try to work together on some songs. A few weeks later Keith sent some melody ideas, and the first one on the CD was a magnificent, haunting melody that I loved, and immediately started writing down some lyrical ideas on what I felt should be a timeless theme commensurate with the melody. So the theme of the life, death, resurrection of Christ, and the implications of that for us just began to tumble out, and when we got together later on to fine-tune it, we felt we had encapsulated what we wanted to say.”
Townend and Getty both admit they are motivated by the idea of capturing biblical truth in songs and hymns that will not only cause people to express their worship in church but will build them up in their Christian lives.
“I’ve been amazed by the response to this song,” said Stuart. “We’ve had some incredible e-mails about how people have been helped by the song through incredibly difficult circumstances.”
There is no other name that deserves our praise and thanksgiving. Today in prayer, praise Jesus and give him the highest place in your heart.
“In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm” – Stuart Townend
God’s Word: “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” – Philippians 2:10-11
Mostly Cloudy, 64°