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“How Great” by Bolaafola is a contemporary Nigerian gospel composition that centers on an unabashed declaration of God’s unsurpassable greatness and the believer’s devoted response of worship. Structured around a simple yet profound refrain -“How great you are, oh Lord my God” – the song layers expressions of praise, joy, and theological acclaim to invite worshipers into a reflective posture. This article examines the key lyrical elements (exclusive devotion, declarations of divine greatness, expressions of heartfelt joy, and the articulation of God’s attributes) highlighting their scriptural foundations, theological insights, and spiritual significance within the wider biblical narrative.

Behind the Lyrics

Exclusive Devotion and the Call to Worship
The opening lines, “All of my worship belongs to you; All of my praise belongs to you,” establish an unambiguous confession of allegiance that echoes the biblical injunction to offer God wholehearted devotion. In Romans 12:1 (), Paul exhorts believers to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God,” underscoring that genuine worship is not merely ritualistic but a total, consecrated reorientation of one’s life. Similarly, Psalm 29:2 () declares, “Give to the LORD the glory he deserves! Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness,” which resonates with the lyricist’s repeated acknowledgment that every act of worship and praise inherently belongs to God. By foregrounding exclusive devotion, the song directs worshipers to recognize that praise is not a peripheral activity but the rightful purpose for which humans were created (cf. Isaiah 43:7, ). In doing so, Bolaafola’s opening lines frame the subsequent exultations as the natural outflow of a life wholly offered to the Creator.
The Central Refrain: Declaring God’s Unsurpassable Greatness
At the heart of the song lies the refrain, “How great you are, oh Lord my God,” which is repeated multiple times to underscore the magnitude of God’s majesty. This refrain recalls Psalm 145:3 (), which proclaims, “Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise. No one can measure his greatness.” By echoing this psalmist’s declaration, the lyricist situates personal adoration within the broader biblical tradition that ascribes infinite worth to God. Moreover, the repetitive nature of the refrain functions as a didactic tool: each recitation reinforces the theological conviction that no finite language can fully encapsulate divine greatness (cf. Job 36:26). The repetition also fosters an immersive worship experience, enabling congregants to meditate on the depth of God’s character until the truth of “how great” He is permeates their hearts.
Expressions of Heartfelt Joy and Continuous Praise
In the verse, “My heart is filled with songs of praise; You are the joy that fills my heart; I’ll sing your praise forever more,” the songwriter invites a reflection on the relationship between divine presence and human joy. The notion that God Himself is “the joy that fills my heart” directly aligns with Psalm 16:11: “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” By affirming that heart-filled joy stems from God, Bolaafola underscores a core biblical truth: true delight is found in communion with the Creator rather than in temporal circumstances (cf. Nehemiah 8:10, , “The joy of the LORD is your strength”). Furthermore, the pledge to “sing your praise forever more” echoes Psalm 63:3: “Because your faithful love is better than life, my lips will glorify you,” signaling that continuous praise is an appropriate response to God’s enduring goodness. This lyrical segment thus weaves together theology and experience to depict joy as both a gift from God and a catalyst for perpetual worship.  
Articulation of God’s Attributes and Universal Sovereignty
The extended bridge – “So great, so great; So mighty, so mighty; So wonderful, so wonderful; So beautiful, so beautiful; Oh Lord, oh Lord my God; How great, how great you are; In all the universe, You are greater; You are greater” – articulates a litany of divine attributes that highlights God’s supremacy over all creation. By pairing descriptors like “mighty” and “wonderful,” the lyricist draws upon Isaiah 40:26 (), where God’s celestial sovereignty is declared: “Lift up your eyes and look! Who created these? He brings out the starry hosts one by one… He calls each of them by name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not one of them is missing.” Similarly, Jeremiah 10:6 () states, “No one is like you, LORD; you are great, and great is your name in might,” affirming that God’s greatness transcends human comprehension. The repetition of “You are greater” within the context of “all the universe” serves as a thematic climax, emphasizing that regardless of created splendor (stars, galaxies, or human achievements) nothing compares to God. Theologically, this segment reminds believers that the act of worship is an acknowledgment of God’s unrivaled worth and a confession that all cosmic authorities are subject to His sovereignty (cf. Psalm 103:19).

Conclusion

By weaving together exclusive devotion, repeated declarations of divine greatness, heartfelt expressions of joy, and a litany of God’s unparalleled attributes, “How Great” by Bolaafola encapsulates a robust theology of worship grounded in Scripture. The song’s structure – from the pledge of worship that “belongs to” God (Romans 12:1; Psalm 29:2) to the final affirmation that God is “greater” than anything in the universe (Isaiah 40:26; Jeremiah 10:6) – guides listeners through a progressive exploration of why God alone is worthy of all praise. Moreover, the persistent repetition of key lines functions as both a meditative exercise and a corporate declaration, inviting worshipers to internalize biblical truths and articulate them with conviction. In sum, “How Great” does more than offer melodic affirmation; it provides a lyrical theology that reminds believers of their primary calling: to recognize, celebrate, and proclaim the infinite greatness of the Lord.
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This article was first published on 28th May 2025
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preciousgift-nwaeze

Preciousgift is an exceptionally gifted Nigerian writer with a robust theological background and an unwavering passion for gospel music. Alongside crafting uplifting gospel content, he demonstrates expertise in writing about education, communication, and technology, showcasing his remarkable versatility across various subjects.

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