Reflecting on Hillsong Worship’s “Selah / All My Life”
Hillsong Worship is known for creating powerful songs that invite worshippers into moments of deep reflection and adoration. Among their many unforgettable tracks, “Selah / All My Life” stands as an emotional and reflective anthem that blends the reverence of quiet contemplation with the boldness of a life fully surrendered to God. Released as part of their 2020 album Take Heart, this song beautifully captures both the stillness and the passion that define the Christian journey.
The word “Selah” appears frequently in the Psalms and is often interpreted as a pause or a moment to reflect on the words or truth that has just been spoken or sung. It’s a call to pause, breathe, and meditate on God’s goodness. In “Selah / All My Life”, the inclusion of “Selah” is not just a musical break; it serves as a spiritual invitation to slow down and reflect on the enormity of God’s love, His faithfulness, and the incredible gift of salvation.
The opening section of the song, with its gentle and almost solemn tone, mirrors the essence of “Selah.” The music fades in slowly, with piano and strings carrying the weight of reverence. It creates a sacred space for worshippers to reflect on the grandeur of God’s nature and their relationship with Him.
After this meditative Selah section, the song transitions into the more declarative and passionate anthem “All My Life.” This part of the song shifts the tone from stillness to celebration. The lyrics become a bold declaration of complete surrender to God, with the chorus singing, “All my life, I will worship You”—a declaration of a life lived in continuous worship and submission to God.
This shift from quiet reflection to loud proclamation is a powerful representation of the Christian walk. We begin with moments of stillness, listening and reflecting on God’s love, but are then compelled to respond with wholehearted devotion. The juxtaposition of Selah and All My Life reminds us that worship is both a time of quiet reflection and an active choice to live out our faith boldly.
The lyrics of “All My Life” are both simple and profound. They invite worshippers to give their entire lives to God in worship, trust, and obedience. Lines such as “I will trust in You alone” reflect a total reliance on God’s faithfulness, while “You’re my life, You’re my hope” speak of an unwavering commitment to keep God at the center of everything.
These declarations are not just about what we do in moments of worship, but about the daily decision to live a life surrendered to God. “All My Life” challenges us to consider how we live our faith in every aspect of our lives, asking the question: Is my life a reflection of my worship?
Musically, “Selah / All My Life” is a masterpiece that brings out the full emotional range of the song’s message. The song opens with a soft, introspective atmosphere, led by the piano, which allows the words of the Selah portion to settle into the heart. Then, when “All My Life” kicks in, the intensity builds, with layers of instrumentation adding to the power of the declaration. The powerful crescendo of sound creates a sense of triumph, reinforcing the song’s theme of living a life of unshakable devotion.
The way the music mirrors the emotional journey of the song—from stillness to celebration—makes the worship experience even more poignant. The transitions feel natural, as if moving from the reflective moments of life into the moments where we boldly declare our love and trust in God.
“Selah / All My Life” serves as a reminder that worship is not just about the words we sing but about how we live our lives. It’s not only in the moments when we gather in church or listen to music, but in the everyday choices we make, where our hearts are fully surrendered to God. It challenges us to make every moment a declaration of worship, from the stillness of our hearts to the boldness of our actions.
The inclusion of Selah encourages us to take a pause in our busy lives, to reflect on the greatness of God, and to surrender our hearts anew. And when the moment comes to respond, “All My Life” urges us to live out that surrender in passionate, wholehearted worship.
This song is a gift for both personal devotion and corporate worship. It invites worshippers to reflect on God’s greatness individually, but it also calls the church to unite in praise. Whether in a private space of prayer or in a collective worship setting, “Selah / All My Life” offers a powerful tool for those who desire to grow in intimacy with God.
Hillsong Worship’s “Selah / All My Life” is an anthem of surrender, trust, and devotion. From the quiet, reflective pauses of Selah to the passionate declarations of All My Life, this song invites believers to embrace both the stillness and the boldness that come with walking in faith. It calls us to reflect on the heart of God and then boldly respond with our lives fully surrendered in worship.
As we sing these words, may we be reminded that worship is not a moment but a lifestyle—one that begins in stillness and continues in every action, thought, and breath.
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Video: Hillsong Worship – Selah / All My Life
Lyrics: Hillsong Worship – Selah / All My Life
[Intro]
Better is one day here
Than a thousand elsewhere
We praise Your name
We give You worship, You deserve it
Give You worship, You deserve it
We’re listening, God (You’re welcome)
What are You saying? What are You doing?
[Verse]
Come now rushing wind
Jesus, breathe within
Come now rushing wind
Jesus, breathe within
Come now rushing wind
Jesus, breathe within
Come now rushing wind
Jesus, breathe within
[Chorus]
All my life, all my life
All my life
I will lift up Your praises
‘Til the end of the ages
I will sing of Your love
Your love won’t stop
Oh, it runs like a river
You have so freely given
Every piece of Your heart
All my life
All my life
I will lift up Your praises
‘Til the end of the ages
I will sing of Your love
Your love won’t stop
Oh, it runs like a river
You have so freely given
Every piece of Your heart
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[Chorus]
What’s His name?
Oh-oh-oh, His name is Jesus
Mighty Redeemer, my hope and my strength
Oh-oh-oh, I will never forget Him
From beginning to ending, He is all that I want
What’s His name?
Oh-oh-oh, His name is Jesus
Mighty Redeemer, my hope and my strength
Oh-oh-oh, I will never forget Him
From beginning to ending, He is all that I want
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Oh-oh-oh, His name is Jesus
Mighty Redeemer, my hope and my strength
Oh-oh-oh, I will never forget Him
From beginning to ending, He is all that I want
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