Related texts: Acts 4:12, 26; Ps. 19:10, 119:105; Phil. 2:9-11; Luke 3:6; John 1:1-5, 9-18
John Barnett’s “Holy and Anointed One” was released long before my time as a worship leader. It’s actually been sung in churches longer than I’ve been alive! But the lyrics of the song really spoke to me as a high school student when we would dust it off for our student services in the mid-to-late-2000’s. Now, 30 years after it’s original writing and 10 years after I first heard it, it’s still a song that speaks to my soul and gives words for my praise to the Messiah!
The verses declare that Jesus and He alone is the “holy and anointed one, the risen and exalted one”. Acts 4:12 declares His authority and his exaltation- “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”– while a few verses later David’s own words are recited that Jesus is the “anointed one” (Acts 4:26). It’s declaring these descriptions of who Christ is- not just was but is– as the supreme savior, the eternal king, and the lord over all, in not so many words.
Psalms 19:10 and 119:105 round out the choruses “Your name is like honey on my lips, Your Spirit’s like water to my soul, Your Word is a lamp unto my feet” with more proclamation and worship of what Jesus means to, and does for, us. It’s simply wrapped up with “Jesus, I love you, I love You”. This chorus has been stirring my soul for 10 years. The beautiful name of Jesus, the refreshing Spirit of God that fills me up, the beautiful Word- both in the Bible and in the person if Christ (more on that in a moment)- giving me direction and example. Of course the only logical response to the impact that these have on me is the simple yet profound declaration of love I have for the Giver of these good gifts and the Savior of my soul- Jesus!
A few years ago, I decided to give this song a modern arrangement and was compelled to give it a fresh bridge (not that it needed it) for the ministries that I was leading at the time. “There’s nothing like the name of Jesus; nothing like His glory, bright; nothing like the name of Jesus; nothing like the Word of life.” The first three-quarters of this bridge was written out of response to Philippians 2:9-11: “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so 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.” and to Luke 3:6: “…the radiant glory of the Eternal One will be revealed. All flesh together will take it in.” The final line is more of a theological declaration out of John 1:1-5, 9-18 that also reiterated the radiant light that Christ is (verse 9) while also emphatically proclaiming that Jesus is the Word of Life to which nothing compares.
It is such a blessing to take a song that has been ministering to the Church for decades and still be able to “dust it off” for a new generation. I think this is the way we bridge the two concepts of there being “nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiasties 1:9) and to “sing a new song to the Lord” (Psalm 96:1). May we continue to worship God with songs from yesteryear and new songs birthed out of our modern faith that we would pursue Jesus as both an ancient Gospel and good news for today!
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Kevin McClure has been leading worship in the local church for over 10 years in different capacities of student and adult ministries. As a songwriter, musical artist, and worship leader he has had the honor of touring the United States both as a performer and worship leader over the better part of the last decade. With a heart to see believers learn how to take the act of worship beyond the setting of a group gathering, Kevin is incredibly intentional with his time on and offstage to help teach the practice of worship as a lifestyle. Kevin lives in Omaha, Nebraska with his bride Hailey and his two daughters, Everleigh (8) and Eliska (2). His favorite food is coffee (lifesource), loves bonfires, and is convinced that Jesus is a Chicago Cubs fan.
Kevin McClure 