What A Beautiful Name is a worship song that centers on the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Drawing from Hebrews 1 and Colossians 1, the lyrics describe Jesus as the eternal Word who reveals God’s glory and holds supremacy over all creation. It emphasizes God’s desire to reconcile humanity to Himself through the cross, celebrates His great love that surpasses our sin, and culminates in a declaration of Christ’s victory over death and His eternal reign as King.
VERSE 1
You were the Word at the beginning
One with God the Lord most high
Your hidden glory in creation
Now revealed in You our Christ
CHORUS 1
What a beautiful Name it is
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a beautiful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
VERSE 2
You didn’t want heaven without us
So Jesus You brought heaven down
My sin was great, Your love was greater
What could separate us now
CHORUS 2
What a wonderful Name it is
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a wonderful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
BRIDGE 1
Death could not hold You
The veil tore before You
You silenced the boast of sin and grave
The heavens are roaring
The praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life again
BRIDGE 2
You have no rival, You have no equal
Now and forever God You reign
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name above all names
CHORUS 3
What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
BRIDGE 3
You have no rival, You have no equal
Now and forever God You reign
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name above all names
CHORUS 4
What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who composed the song What a Beautiful Name? Ben Fielding and Brooke Ligertwood wrote and composed What a Beautiful Name.
2. When was What a Beautiful Name released? Hillsong Worship recorded the original in 2016 in Sydney and released the single on 6 January 2017. Notable later versions include a viral a cappella cover by the Voices of Lee in 2017. Hillsong United also released a live recording from Madison Square Garden in 2021. Additionally, Hillsong released an EP in 2017 featuring acoustic, orchestral, gospel, and remix versions.
3. What worship themes fit What a Beautiful Name? This song reflects strong themes including the supremacy of Christ, His role as Creator, and His victorious resurrection. Furthermore, it is suitable for corporate worship, particularly during Easter and Christmas, focusing on the incarnation. The spiritual impact encourages worshippers to respond with confidence, surrendering to the unparalleled authority of Jesus. Consequently, this anthem invites believers to move into a deep, personal realignment with God’s sovereign reign.
What Is the Message of What a Beautiful Name?
Worshippers often struggle to find a stable anchor when the pressures of this world feel completely overwhelming. This song provides that anchor by declaring that Jesus Christ is supreme and unparalleled, possessing no rival and no equal. According to God’s truth, Jesus is the “brightness of His glory and the express image of His person” (Hebrews 1:3). Worshippers respond by fixing their eyes on the King who will “reign over the house of Jacob forever” (Luke 1:33). Why is the name of Jesus described as having incomparable beauty in this powerful anthem? The following paragraphs explore three biblical answers to this one main question about His glorious name.
Have you ever wondered why the simple name of a Carpenter from Nazareth holds such profound and lasting beauty? The answer begins with the “hidden glory in creation” that finally became visible through the person of Jesus. Colossians 1:15 explains that Jesus is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” Furthermore, this mystery is “now revealed” in Christ so that we can know the invisible God personally. By entering our world, the “Word” who was there at the beginning made the Father’s heart known. This revelation transforms a distant, hidden power into a beautiful Savior we can love and follow today.
What historical event truly explains why the name of Jesus is described as having such incomparable beauty? His name is beautiful because the “veil tore” and removed the massive barrier that once separated us. When Jesus died, the “veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51). These lyrics signify that the shame and sin which once separated us no longer hold any power. Consequently, we can now enter the Father’s presence with bold and joyful confidence because He is raised. This miracle of reconciliation is the reason His name sounds so wonderful to every seeking heart.
In a world of many titles, why is the name of Jesus uniquely described as having incomparable beauty? The ultimate beauty of His name shines because Jesus possesses the “name which is above every name.” Philippians 2:9 declares that God “highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name.” The song celebrates this “powerful name” because nothing can stand against the authority of our reigning King. Since He has “no rival” and “no equal,” His sovereignty provides a peace the world cannot offer. We worship Him with joy, knowing that every knee will one day bow to the most beautiful Name.
Issues, Criticism, and Controversies of What A Beautiful Name
The primary theological controversy regarding What A Beautiful Name focuses on the lyric, “You didn’t want heaven without us.”. Prominent theologian John Piper criticized this phrasing, suggesting it might imply God was lonely or incomplete without humanity. Other critics labeled the line as “doctrinal malpractice” because it seems to center the gospel on man’s importance.
However, co-writer Ben Fielding clarified the text draws from John 17:24, reflecting God’s desire for reconciliation rather than a need. The anthem was manually written by Fielding and Brooke Ligertwood in 2015, confirming it is not an AI-generated work.
Widespread church acceptance has solidified the song’s legacy, as it topped Billboard charts and leads international licensing for many congregations. It received massive recognition, winning the 2018 Grammy Award and Dove Awards for Song of the Year and Worship Song. Recent milestones include the official music video surpassing 646 million views on YouTube as of March 2026.
Pastors such as Sam Storms praise the song, emphasizing that it brings great joy through the savoring of Christ’s glory. Ligertwood and Fielding both remain active in their faith, serving as vital members of the Hillsong worship team today.
Story Behind the Song
Brooke Ligertwood and Ben Fielding wrote this song over a few days in December 2015. They initially penned the lyrics in a simple cubicle located in the suburbs of Sydney, Australia.
The writers spent several months carefully crafting the language to reflect specific scriptures from Hebrews and Colossians. They wanted the message to be simple yet hold deep theological weight for the congregation.
Upon its release in 2017, the song quickly topped charts and won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance. It has since become a staple in corporate worship services across the entire world.
“Our words and songs will never fully describe the glory, beauty, wonder and power of our God; they will only ever be an imperfect attempt at describing a perfect God; though as we worship, we move nearer to the God who has shown time and time again that He desires to be near to us.” -Ben Fielding
What a Beautiful Name Relevant Bible Verses
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 NKJV
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Colossians 1:15 NKJV
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NKJV
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name. Philippians 2:9 NKJV
whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. Acts 2:24 NKJV
The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Psalm 19:1 NKJV
For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:36 NKJV
Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. Acts 17:25 NKJV
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What A Beautiful Name Lyrics and Music by Ben Fielding and Brooke Ligertwood. © 2016 Hillsong Music Publishing (APRA) (adm. in the US and Canada at CapitolCMGPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.