Behold Our God

Behold Our God is a modern hymn of exalted praise that calls the church to contemplate the majesty, sovereignty, and glory of the triune God. Written in 2011 by Jonathan, Meghan, and Ryan Baird together with Stephen Altrogge, the hymn is firmly rooted in the language and theology of Scripture, especially Isaiah 40. Its central question, “Who has held the oceans in His hands?” invites worshipers to lift their eyes from creation to the Creator who rules over all things with wisdom and power.

The hymn unfolds as a series of biblical reflections that magnify God’s greatness. Drawing heavily from the prophetic vision of Isaiah, it emphasizes God’s unmatched authority, eternal nature, and incomprehensible wisdom. Human strength, counsel, and comparison all fall away in the presence of the Lord who measures the heavens, weighs the mountains, and knows the end from the beginning. This approach places the worshiper in a posture of humility and reverent awe.

A key theological emphasis of Behold Our God is God’s self sufficiency and glory. The hymn affirms that God needs nothing from His creation and yet graciously reveals Himself to it. This aligns with the apostolic teaching of Romans 11, where God’s wisdom and judgments are declared unsearchable. Worship becomes the natural response to seeing God as He truly is, not reduced or domesticated, but enthroned in holiness.

The refrain centers the hymn on adoration. The repeated call to behold God reinforces the idea that worship begins with vision. As believers behold the Lord by faith through His Word, their hearts are drawn to trust, obedience, and praise. The hymn also subtly points to Christ as the visible image of the invisible God, echoing Colossians 1, where Christ is exalted as Creator, Sustainer, and Head of the church.

Behold Our God has been widely embraced in contemporary worship for its strong doctrinal clarity and congregational strength. It bridges modern musical expression with timeless biblical truth, helping the church sing theology with confidence and joy. The hymn continues to serve as a powerful reminder that true worship flows from seeing God rightly and responding with reverence, wonder, and praise.