7 Theological Deep Cuts In Phil Wickham's 'What An Awesome God' Lyrics: The Fresh Take On A Timeless Anthem

The landscape of modern worship music was recently refreshed with the release of Phil Wickham’s powerful track, "What an Awesome God." Released as a brand-new take on a foundational Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) classic, this song is far more than a simple cover. It serves as a generational bridge, pairing the unforgettable, timeless chorus penned by the late Rich Mullins with entirely new, theologically rich verses co-written by Wickham and Jonathan Smith. The result, which has quickly become a Christian Airplay No. 1 hit, is a fresh anthem that reintroduces the sheer, overwhelming majesty of God to a new audience.

The intention behind this reimagining, as of late December 2025, is not to replace the original, but to honor its legacy while breathing new life and a renewed sense of awe into its central message. Wickham’s new lyrics shift the worshiper’s focus from the everyday to the transcendent, grounding the song in solid, biblical theology that demands reverence and wonder. This article dives deep into the new lyrical content, breaking down the seven most significant theological and poetic elements that make Wickham’s version a masterpiece of modern doxology.

The Creative Team and Lyrical Heritage: Phil Wickham’s Biography

Before dissecting the lyrics, it is essential to understand the key figures who shaped this contemporary worship anthem.

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• Full Name: Phil Wickham
• Born: April 5, 1984
• Hometown: San Diego, California, U.S.
• Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), Worship Music
• Career Highlights: Multi-platinum artist known for songs like "This Is Amazing Grace," "Living Hope," and "Battle Belongs." He is one of the most streamed Christian artists globally.
• Co-Writer on "What an Awesome God": Jonathan Smith (a prolific songwriter and producer in modern worship, known for his work with artists like Zach Williams and Casting Crowns).
• Original Songwriter: Rich Mullins (1955-1997), whose 1988 song "Awesome God" is considered a foundational piece of modern worship music. Wickham's version is an homage to Mullins' raw sincerity and timeless message.
• Recent Achievement: "What an Awesome God" earned Wickham his sixth Christian Airplay No. 1.

The Lyrical Bridge: New Verses Meet the Timeless Chorus

The genius of "What an Awesome God" lies in how seamlessly the new verses set up the familiar, powerful chorus. Rich Mullins' original chorus—"Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above / With wisdom, power, and love, Our God is an awesome God"—is a concise statement of divine attributes. Wickham and Smith’s new verses, however, paint a vivid picture of the God described in that chorus, focusing on His cosmic power and intimate holiness. This approach adds a fresh blend of reverence and testimony to the classic anthem.

The new opening lines immediately establish a tone of high praise and the magnificent scale of God’s glory:

"God is great, give Him all the praise / Hallelujah, Name above all Names / Fire in His eyes, healing in His veins / Everywhere His glory on display."

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This lyrical structure is a powerful example of doxology, which is a hymn or form of words containing an ascription of praise to God. The new verses serve as an extended invitation to worship based on God’s visible works and character.

7 Theological Concepts Unpacked in the New Lyrics

Phil Wickham’s new verses are saturated with biblical imagery, drawing on various books of the Bible to articulate God’s "awesome" nature. This deep dive into the lyrical intent reveals the song's strong topical authority.

1. The Majesty of Creation (Nehemiah 9 Echo)

The new lyrics prominently feature God as the Creator, a concept directly inspired by the prayer of the Levites in Nehemiah 9. Wickham intentionally echoed this scriptural passage to convey the sheer scale of God’s creative power.

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• Lyrical Concept: God as the one who "fills oceans and forms mountains," and "speaks and stars burst into light."
• Theological Entity: *Creatio ex nihilo* (Creation out of nothing). This theme emphasizes God's self-existent power and sovereignty over the cosmos.
• Scriptural Connection: Nehemiah 9:6 states, "You alone are the Lord. You made the skies and the heavens, the starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship You."

2. The Holiness of His Presence (Fire in His Eyes)

The phrase "Fire in His eyes" is a striking image. It evokes the biblical descriptions of a holy and consuming God, moving beyond a gentle portrayal to a powerful, righteous one.

• Lyrical Concept: "Fire in His eyes, healing in His veins."
• Theological Entity: *Holiness* and *Righteous Judgment*. Fire in Scripture often symbolizes God's purity, judgment, and the intensity of His presence (e.g., Exodus 3:2, Revelation 1:14).
• LSI Keyword: Transcendent God.

3. The Cosmic Scale of Sovereignty (Armies of Heaven)

Wickham’s lyrics remind listeners that God's power extends far beyond the earthly realm, commanding unseen forces.

• Lyrical Concept: "He commands the armies of heaven."
• Theological Entity: *Lord of Hosts* (*Yahweh Sabaoth*). This ancient title for God means "Lord of Armies" and speaks to His supreme command over all spiritual and physical forces, including the angels.
• Relevant Entity: Angelic Hosts.

4. The Invitation to Awe (Revelation 4:11)

The core intention of the new song is to inspire a "renewed sense of awe." This is a direct nod to the worship scene described in the book of Revelation.

• Lyrical Concept: A renewed sense of wonder and majesty.
• Theological Entity: *Doxa* (Glory). The worship in heaven, as depicted in Revelation, is a continuous, overwhelming response to God's worthiness.
• Scriptural Connection: Revelation 4:11, "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created."

5. The Paradox of Immanence and Transcendence

The lyrics subtly weave together God’s vastness with His personal involvement in the world.

• Lyrical Concept: God is "so huge and transcendent and eternal and yet..." He is the one who reigns from heaven *above* (Mullins' chorus).
• Theological Entity: *Transcendence* (God is above and beyond the universe) and *Immanence* (God is present and active in the world). The song balances these two truths.

6. God's Glory on Display

The new verses state that God's glory is "Everywhere... on display," a concept that draws from the natural world as a testament to His nature.

• Lyrical Concept: "Everywhere His glory on display."
• Theological Entity: *General Revelation*. The idea that God’s existence and attributes are revealed to all humanity through nature, history, and conscience.
• Scriptural Connection: Psalm 19:1, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

7. The Name Above All Names (Hallelujah)

The use of "Hallelujah" and the phrase "Name above all Names" is a powerful, direct act of worship that grounds the song in Christian tradition.

• Lyrical Concept: "Hallelujah, Name above all Names."
• Theological Entity: *Christology* (The study of Christ). While the song is primarily about God the Father, the "Name above all Names" is a New Testament reference primarily applied to Jesus Christ, uniting the worship of the Father and the Son.
• Scriptural Connection: Philippians 2:9-11.

The Legacy and Impact of the Reimagined Anthem

Phil Wickham’s "What an Awesome God" is a masterclass in reviving a classic while adding contemporary, deep, and relevant layers. By retaining the nostalgic core of Rich Mullins' chorus and building fresh, theologically robust verses around it, Wickham and Smith have created a powerful worship tool. The song serves as a reminder that awe is not a fleeting emotion but a necessary response to a God who is both infinitely transcendent—filling oceans and speaking stars into existence—and intimately involved in our worship.

The success of this new version proves that songs rooted in solid theology and genuine reverence will always resonate with the church. It encourages listeners to move past a casual understanding of faith and to truly contemplate the majesty, power, and holiness of the God they serve. This is more than a song; it is a modern invitation to doxology, urging every worshiper to join the chorus: "Our God is an awesome God."