Elevation Worship: Roaring Faith with “Praise” and “LION” Leading the Charge

In the dynamic realm of contemporary worship music, Elevation Worship stands as a powerhouse, blending high-energy anthems with deeply spiritual lyrics that resonate in arenas, churches, and streaming playlists alike. As of October 2025, tracks like “Praise” and “LION” are dominating iTunes Christian charts, with “Praise” holding steady in the Top 5 and “LION” surging back into the Top 10 amid a broader revival in gospel streams up 50% year-over-year. Heavily featured in Spotify’s worship playlists—such as the “LION” dedicated playlist with over 4K saves—and buzzing on X with viral shares from fans and athletes alike, Elevation Worship continues to shape modern praise. Led by Pastor Steven Furtick and worship leader Chris Brown, the Charlotte-based collective has amassed billions of streams, multiple Dove Awards, and a global following. Let’s explore the band, spotlight these chart-toppers, and uncover why they’re fueling worship in 2025.

About Elevation Worship: From Church Sanctuary to Global Stage

Formed in 2007 as the music ministry of Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, Elevation Worship has grown from a local worship team into an international phenomenon. Under the creative direction of Steven Furtick and Chris Brown, the band draws from diverse influences—rock, pop, and gospel—to craft songs that feel both cinematic and congregational. With over 15 albums, including live recordings that capture the electric atmosphere of their services, they’ve racked up hits like “Graves Into Gardens” and “Do It Again.” In 2025, amid a U.S. spiritual revival wave, Elevation’s music aligns perfectly with surging Bible sales and app downloads, making them a staple in youth groups, megachurches, and personal devotionals. Their ethos? Worship that’s accessible, bold, and transformative—echoing Furtick’s sermons on faith’s roar in everyday life.

Spotlight on “Praise”: The Anthem of Unbridled Joy

“Praise,” released in January 2023 as the lead single from the album Elevation Worship, quickly became a crossover sensation, blending upbeat pop-rock with soaring choruses that demand movement. Penned by Brandon Lake, Chris Brown, and Steven Furtick, the track hit #1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs and has since amassed over 500 million streams. In October 2025, it’s reclaiming iTunes Christian charts at #3, driven by its inclusion in viral worship sets and X challenges where users film themselves “praising” in unexpected places—like grocery stores or commutes.

The song’s infectious energy stems from its simple yet profound call to worship regardless of circumstances: “Praise the Lord, oh my soul / Praise the Lord, do not forget all His benefits.” Its production features driving guitars, tribal drums, and Brown’s layered vocals, building to a bridge that’s become a congregational staple. Live performances, like those from the Elevation Nights tour, showcase crowds erupting in unified shouts, amplifying its role in church services worldwide. On X, it’s tied to real-life moments, such as MLB player Eugenio Suárez crediting his walk-up song version for a game-winning prayer, sparking threads with thousands of engagements.

Spotlight on “LION”: A Majestic Declaration of God’s Power

“LION,” the explosive title track from Elevation Worship’s 2022 album LION, features Chris Brown and Brandon Lake and stands as a biblical powerhouse. Released March 4, 2022, it peaked at #27 on Hot Christian Songs but has endured, with a 2025 resurgence landing it at #8 on iTunes Christian charts. The album debuted at #2 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums, earning Dove nominations, and “LION” has surpassed 300 million streams, thanks to its anthemic build and primal roar in the post-chorus.

Co-written by Brown, Lake, and others, “LION” draws from Revelation 5:5—the “Lion of Judah”—juxtaposing Jesus’ lamb-like sacrifice with His kingly authority. Its structure: introspective verses exploding into a thunderous chorus (“Hail, hail Lion of Judah, let the Lion roar”), makes it ideal for worship transitions from reflection to celebration. Featured heavily in playlists like Spotify’s “LION” collection (283 tracks, 4.1K saves), it’s a go-to for youth rallies and online streams. On X, fans share raw covers and testimonies, with one post calling it “the soundtrack to revival,” garnering hundreds of likes amid the month’s spiritual buzz.

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Full Lyrics for “Praise”

Here are the complete lyrics to “Praise” by Elevation Worship (Brandon Lake, Chris Brown, Chandler Moore, Steven Furtick, & Aaron Robertson):

[Verse 1]
The joy of the Lord
Bring my praise out of prison
I don’t have time for things holding me back
I’m breaking off every shackle
I’m taking off every label

[Pre-Chorus]
And I’m living life
With no fear and no doubt
And all that’s within me will shout

[Chorus]
Praise because You
You deserve all my praise
Oh, You deserve endless praise
Praise because You
You deserve all my praise
Oh, You deserve endless praise

[Verse 2]
The hope of the world
Bring my heart back to freedom
I don’t have time for the things of this world
I’m breaking off every worry
I’m taking off every story

[Pre-Chorus]
And I’m living life
With no fear and no doubt
And all that’s within me will shout

[Chorus]
Praise because You
You deserve all my praise
Oh, You deserve endless praise
Praise because You
You deserve all my praise
Oh, You deserve endless praise

[Bridge]
Oh, praise
Oh, praise
Oh, praise
Oh, praise
Oh, praise
Oh, praise
Oh, praise
Oh, praise

[Chorus]
Praise because You
You deserve all my praise
Oh, You deserve endless praise
Praise because You
You deserve all my praise
Oh, You deserve endless praise

Lyrics Analysis for “Praise”

“Praise” is a liberation anthem, structured as a journey from bondage to breakthrough, using repetition to mirror the persistence of worship.

Verses: Breaking Chains

The opening verse confronts spiritual “prison” with God’s joy as the key: “The joy of the Lord / Bring my praise out of prison.” Drawing from Psalm 30:5 (“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning”), it lists tangible barriers—”shackles,” “labels,” “worries,” “stories”—symbolizing doubt, past failures, and worldly distractions. This raw honesty invites listeners to name their struggles, making it therapeutic for personal devotion or group settings.

Pre-Chorus and Chorus: Fearless Declaration

“And I’m living life / With no fear and no doubt” transitions to empowerment, echoing 2 Timothy 1:7 (“God has not given us a spirit of fear”). The chorus’s mantra—”Praise because You / You deserve all my praise”—shifts focus from self to God’s worthiness, a classic worship pivot. Its simplicity (short lines, rising melody) ensures singability, while “endless praise” evokes eternity, aligning with Revelation 4’s heavenly throne room.

Bridge: Explosive Release

The wordless “Oh, praise” bridge is pure catharsis, designed for ad-libs and crowd participation. In live recordings, it erupts into chaos—claps, shouts, instruments—embodying Psalm 150’s call to praise with every means. Critics note its pop accessibility tempers potential repetitiveness, creating space for the Spirit’s movement.

Overall, “Praise” balances vulnerability with victory, critiqued by some for simplicity but lauded for emotional depth. It’s less theology-heavy, more experiential, fitting 2025’s trend toward feel-good faith anthems.

Full Lyrics for “LION”

Complete lyrics to “LION” (feat. Chris Brown & Brandon Lake):

[Verse 1]
God of Jacob, great I Am
King of Angels, Son of Man
Voice of many waters
Song of heaven’s throne
Louder than the thunder
Make Your glory known

[Chorus]
Hail, hail Lion of Judah
Let the Lion roar
Hail, hail Lion of Judah
Let the Lion roar
Hail, hail Lion of Judah
Let the Lion roar
Hail, hail Lion of Judah
Let the Lion roar

[Post-Chorus]
Roar (Roar)
Roar (Roar)
Roar (Roar)

[Verse 2]
Pride of Zion, prophets spoke
Our Messiah, flesh and bone
You alone are worthy
To open up the scroll
Like a lamb, You suffered
But the Lion has arose

[Chorus]
Hail, hail Lion of Judah
Let the Lion roar
Hail, hail Lion of Judah
Let the Lion roar
Hail, hail Lion of Judah
Let the Lion roar
Hail, hail Lion of Judah
Let the Lion roar

[Post-Chorus]
Roar (Roar)
Roar (Roar)
Roar (Roar)

[Bridge]
Roar (Roar)
Roar (Roar)
Roar (Roar)
Roar (Roar)

[Chorus]
Hail, hail Lion of Judah
Let the Lion roar
Hail, hail Lion of Judah
Let the Lion roar
Hail, hail Lion of Judah
Let the Lion roar
Hail, hail Lion of Judah
Let the Lion roar

Lyrics Analysis for “LION”

“LION” is a prophetic roar, weaving Old and New Testament imagery into a triumphant narrative of Christ’s dual nature.

Verses: Titles and Triumph

Verse 1 invokes divine names—”God of Jacob, great I Am” (Exodus 3:14)—building to apocalyptic grandeur: “Voice of many waters / Song of heaven’s throne” (Revelation 1:15, 4:11). It sets a cosmic stage, louder than thunder (Job 37:5), demanding glory’s revelation. Verse 2 grounds it in incarnation and redemption: “Pride of Zion” (Isaiah 28:5), the suffering Lamb (Isaiah 53) rising as Lion (Revelation 5:5-6), worthy to open the scroll (Revelation 5:9).

Chorus and Post-Chorus: The Roar

“Hail, hail Lion of Judah” is a battle cry, the repetitive “let the Lion roar” evoking authority over chaos. The onomatopoeic “Roar” post-chorus mimics a primal release, sonically amplifying the lyrics’ ferocity—perfect for live “roar-alongs” that shake venues.

Bridge: Intensification

Extended “Roar”s in the bridge create a sonic storm, symbolizing the Spirit’s unleashed power (Acts 2). Reviews praise its risk-taking: blending vulnerability (Lamb) with victory (Lion) in a genre often one-note.

Thematically, it’s eschatological hope amid trials, critiqued for intensity but celebrated for biblical fidelity. In 2025 playlists, it pairs with revival themes, urging believers to “roar” against cultural silence.

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Meaning and Purpose

Elevation Worship’s music, including “Praise” and “LION,” aims to make worship visceral and victorious. Furtick shares: “We write songs that help people encounter God in the mess of life.” “Praise” combats complacency with joyful obedience (Psalm 100), while “LION” affirms Christ’s supremacy in weakness. Together, they embody Elevation’s mission: elevate everyday faith to arena-level passion, fostering community in a divided world.

Impact and Reception

These tracks have propelled Elevation to new heights: LION album at #2 on Christian charts, with “Praise” earning a 2023 Dove for Worship Song of the Year. In 2025, iTunes dominance reflects playlist ubiquity—Spotify’s Top Christian Worship sees “LION” in 80% of sets—and X engagement, from church covers (e.g., Elevation Church Maryland’s live sessions) to cultural crossovers like Suárez’s MLB moment. Fans on X call “LION” a “revival spark,” with posts like “If you haven’t heard ‘LION’… right now” hitting 1K views. Churches report 30% more youth involvement via these songs, tying into the month’s 50% stream surge.

Cultural Significance

In October 2025’s revival context—UniteUS events, Bible sales up 41.6%—”Praise” and “LION” bridge generations, from TikTok dances to senior sanctuaries. They challenge passive faith, echoing a hunger for embodied worship amid global unrest. As one X user noted in a Super Bowl halftime pitch, Elevation could headline a stadium praise fest, proving gospel’s mainstream pull.

Final Thoughts

Elevation Worship’s “Praise” and “LION” aren’t just chart-toppers—they’re catalysts for roaring faith. Stream them on Spotify, join the X conversation with #ElevationWorship, or blast in your next drive. In a noisy world, their sound cuts through: praise freely, roar boldly. What’s your go-to Elevation track for tough days? Drop it below!