The obligatory Hillsong review is here again! We have another wild one, this time with a 2019 release, Another In The Fire, marking my 15th review from this artist. This time, I’ll skip the introduction and move straight to the good stuff!

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1. What message does the song communicate?

Despite the many words sung throughout these lyrics, the message is simple: The God-man, Christ, is the only name by which we may be saved. His death removes barriers between Him and the church and His resurrection gives us hope. starting the sanctification process. His second return is welcomed with natural phenomena and the completed union between Christ and the church.

Much of the song is as much centered on self as the many Psalms recorded in Scripture.

I understand that a live version of a song almost always contains additional repeats. Hillsong chose to change the last line of most of them; However, it still has excessive padding at the song’s end. This seems to be a common trait among CCM artists in live versions.

Score: 8/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

Most of it agrees with the Bible; However, Chorus 1 suffers from poor word choice.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

There’s a grace when the heart is under fire

Another way when the walls are closing in

This speaks of God’s spiritual protection under relentless attacks from what we know are the three primary modes of attack: the flesh (John 3:6, Romans 8:5, Romans 7:14-25, Romans 8:6-14, Galatians 5:19-25, Philippians 3:18-19, Colossians 3:1-3, 1 Corinthians 2:14, and 2 Peter 2:1-10), the world (Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13, John 15:19, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 2:2, Colossians 3:1-2, 1 Timothy 6:10, 1 John 2:15-17, 1 John 3:17, 1 John 4:5, and James 4:4), and the Devil (Genesis 3:1-5, Matthew 4:11, Matthew 16:23, Mark 1:12-13, Mark 8:33, Luke 4:1-13, John 8:44, 2 Corinthians 11:3, 1 John 3:8-10, and Revelation 20:7-10).

And when I look at the space between

Where I used to be and this reckoning

That is, the journey from the old self to the new self. This combines Jesus’ parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) with the transformation of old/new self (Ezekiel 11:19, Romans 6:1-7, Romans 8:12-13, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 4:16, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 5:16-18, Ephesians 4:22-24, Ephesians 2:14-16, Colossians 3:10, and 1 Peter 2:24).

I know I will never be alone

God does not leave or forsake His children (Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 118:6 and Hebrews 13:5–6).

[Chorus 1]

There was another in the fire

Standing next to me

Refers to Daniel 3:24-25, where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to commit idolatry. The fourth in the fire that King Nebuchadnezzar witnessed is most likely the pre-incarnate Christ.

There was another in the waters

Holding back the seas

This is a second metaphor, this time from Moses’ parting of the red sea in Exodus 14:21-22. God is ultimately responsible for dividing it and saving His people Israel.

And should I ever need reminding

Of how I’ve been set free

There is a cross that bears the burden

Where another died for me

Unfortunately, this is worded poorly. It is not the cross that bears our burdens, but the God-Man who was put on it (Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 1:29, John 3:16, John 19:30, Acts 4:12, Acts 20:28, Romans 5:6-10, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 1:3-4, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 2:14, 1 Timothy 2:6, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 9:26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9).

[Tag 1]

There is another in the fire

Repeats Chorus, line 1 in present tense.

[Verse 2]

All my debt left for dead beneath the waters

Combines Colossians 2:14 with Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12, describing a burial of old self, with all our sin-debt nailed to the cross.

I’m no longer a slave to my sin anymore

As written in Romans 6:17-18.

And should I fall in the space between

What remains of me and this reckoning

This provides a different space between than what was established in Verse 1, lines 3 and 4. This gap is the divide between the remaining, sinful portion of self and obedience to God. Falling in between is metaphorical for falling back into sin (Proverbs 26:11 and 2 Peter 2:20-22).

Either way I won’t bow

To the things of this world

In other words, should Hillsong fall, they will return to the cross (Proverbs 24:16 and 1 John 2:1-2).

And I know I will never be alone

Repeats Verse 1, line 5.

[Chorus 2]

There is another in the fire

Standing next to me

There is another in the waters

Holding back the seas

And should I ever need reminding

What power set me free

Repeats Chorus 1, lines 1-6, in present tense.

There is a grave that holds no body

That is, Christ rose from the dead (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20, Acts 1:3, Acts 3:15, Acts 4:33, and 1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

And now that power lives in me

That is, the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5, Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:16-19, Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 5:18, and 2 Timothy 1:14).

[Tag 2]

There is another in the fire

There is another in the fire

There is another in the fire

There is another in the fire

Repeats Chorus 2 line 1, several times.

[Bridge 1]

I can see the light in the darkness

A metaphor for finding Christ and removed from the penalty of sin (Romans 6:23).

As the darkness bows to Him

That is, God’s light drives out darkness (Psalm 107:10-16, Luke 1:79, John 1:1-13, John 12:46, Ephesians 5:8, Colossians 1:13, and 1 Peter 2:9).

I can hear the roar in the heavens

Much like the Apostle John did in his vision on Patmos (Revelation 4:5, Revelation 10:1-7, and Revelation 11:19).

As the space between wears thin

This is put lightly. In fact, the space between disappears altogether (1 Corinthians 15:52), but I’ll let this one slide. This time…

I can feel the ground shake beneath us

Jesus warned His followers that His return would result in earthquakes (Luke 21:11).

As the prison walls cave in

A nod to Paul and Silas in Acts 16:16-40.

Nothing stands between us

Nothing stands between us

This is not the same context as Verses 1 and 2. This refers to the barrier, the divide between Christ and His bride, the church. Romans 8:31-39 provides an ample list of things that will not separate us from God.

[Verse 3]

There is no other name

But the Name that is Jesus

That is, in terms of salvation (Acts 4:11-12).

He who was and still is

And will be through it all

Refers to Christ’s existence that transcends time (Revelation 1:8).

So come what may in the space between

All the things unseen and this reckoning

See commentary in Bridge, lines 6-8.

I know I will never be alone

Repeats Verse 1 line 5.

[Chorus 3]

There’ll be another in the fire

Standing next to me

There’ll be another in the waters

Holding back the seas

And should I ever need reminding

How good You’ve been to me

Repeats Chorus 1, lines 1-6 in future tense.

I’ll count the joy come every battle

‘Cause I know that’s where You’ll be

In Christ, we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).

I love Hillsong’s attitude of counting their blessings regardless of circumstances. It reminds me of Job after Satan afflicted him in Job 1:20-22.

[Bridge 2]

I can see the light in the darkness

As the darkness bows to Him

I can hear the roar in the heavens

As the space between wears thin

I can feel the ground shake beneath us

As the prison walls cave in

Nothing stands between us

Nothing stands between us

Repeats Bridge 1.

I can see the light in the darkness

As the darkness bows to Him

I can hear the roar in the heavens

As the space between wears thin

I can feel the ground shake beneath us

As the prison walls cave in

Nothing stands between us

Repeats most of Bridge 1.

[Chorus 4]

There’ll be another in the fire

Standing next to me

There’ll be another in the waters

Holding back the seas

And should I ever need reminding

How good You’ve been to me

Repeats Chorus 3, lines 1-6.

I’ll count the joy come every battle

‘Cause I know that’s where You’ll be

I’ll count the joy come every battle

‘Cause I know that’s where You’ll be

I’ll count the joy come every battle

‘Cause I know that’s where You’ll be

I’ll count the joy come every battle

‘Cause I know that’s where You’ll be

I’ll count the joy come every battle

‘Cause I know that’s where You’ll be

Repeats Chorus 3, lines 7 and 8.

Score: 9/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

The name of Jesus is explicitly stated, leading them to understand it to be a Christian song; However, Hillsong uses a lot of metaphors to describe their message. Unfortunately for the typical non-Christian, it will probably sail over their head, unless they’ve taken the time to study basic Christian theology. I think it’s beautifully written, but was probably never intended for unbelievers.

Score: 4/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Hillsong United’s Another In The Fire is a decent song. Though most of it does agree with the Bible, Chorus 1 suffers from an unfortunate choice of words. Its message is positive but too repetitious for my liking, putting a dent in its implicit glorification of God. Those who do not yet follow Jesus will know it’s a Christian song but will probably find the relentless barrage of metaphors confusing, if not poetic.

I would pass this one for church usage.

Final Score: 8/10

Artist Info

Track: Another in the Fire (live) (listen to the song) (buy the song)

Artist: Hillsong United

Album: People (Live) (buy the album)

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), Rock

Release Year: 2019

Duration: 6:33

Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.

*Copyright © 2019 Hillsong Music Publishing (APRA) (adm. in the US and Canada at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

04/17/2020 – I had the wrong Scriptures for the world, flesh, and devil! I updated the references.

03/27/2020 – Upon much reflection and prayer on Aaron Scantlen’s commentary, I decided that massive repetition should not impact an outsider’s interpretation and God’s inherent glorification. This increases the score from 7.5/10 to 8/10. This will impact all other reviews to which I offered this criticism.

01/20/2020 – Upon prayerfully reflecting on commenter Maggie’s response, I agree with her and updated my review. It received a small bump, from 7/10 to 7.5/10.

09/30/2019 – Zach’s comment added a Scriptural reference to “As the prison walls cave in”, from Paul and Silas’ time in prison together.

07/07/2019 – I was mistaken on my analysis of the last few lines of the Bridge. Thanks to commenter Laura, section 2 received a slight boost, raising the overall score from 6.5/10 to 7/10.

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