Consider Him

Consider Him is a rare example of expositional worship, taking a single biblical text (Hebrews 12:1-3) and unpacking it with lyrical faithfulness and theological precision. The song does not merely reference Scripture; it inhabits it, inviting the congregation to dwell in the apostolic command to fix their eyes on Jesus. Every line serves the central imperative: consider the One who endured hostility, scorned shame, and now sits enthroned. This is not a song about our experience of worship but about the object of worship Himself. The Christology is rich, the soteriology is clear, and the corporate call to contemplation is both pastoral and prophetic.

The theological arc follows the classic descent-ascent pattern of Philippians 2, moving from incarnation through suffering to exaltation. The lyric draws heavily from Isaiah 53's suffering servant, Hebrews 12's pioneer of faith, and Colossians 1's cosmic Christ. The song resists therapeutic reduction, never collapsing into vague emotionalism or self-focused application. Instead, it sustains a gaze outward, toward the One who for the joy set before Him endured the cross. This is worship as reorientation, calling the congregation to shift their attention from their own weariness to the greater endurance of Christ. The pastoral wisdom here is profound: the antidote to spiritual fatigue is not self-care but Christ-consideration.

Musically, the song requires investment. The melody is accessible but not simplistic, and the extended phrasing demands breath control and attentiveness. The contemplative tempo of 86 BPM supports the meditative character but will feel slow to congregations accustomed to rapid lyric turnover. The original key of D pushes the upper range to D5, which will challenge many congregants. Dropping to C major (range G3-C5) improves singability without sacrificing the song's reflective tone. This is not a song for first-time visitors or congregations expecting instant accessibility. It is a discipling song, one that rewards teaching and repetition. Leaders should introduce it with context from Hebrews 12 and allow the congregation to grow into it over multiple weeks.

The defense brief addresses two predictable objections: the shift between second-person and third-person address, and the slower tempo. Both are answerable with scriptural precedent. The Psalms regularly move between addressing God and testifying about Him, and the meditative posture aligns with the biblical command to be still and know. The song will not fit every worship moment, but when the congregation is prepared for contemplative engagement, it becomes a powerful tool for fixing their gaze on Christ. This is a song for mature believers and maturing congregations, one that models the kind of sustained scriptural meditation that Baptist worship at its best has always valued. Use it with intentionality, teach it with care, and it will deepen the congregation's vision of the One who endured the cross and now reigns in glory.

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Supporting connections