In the realm of contemporary worship music, Bethel Music’s “Alabaster Heart” emerges as a powerful expression of devotion. Inspired by the biblical narrative of Mary anointing Jesus with precious oil, this song beautifully encapsulates the concept of whole-life worship, where our very being becomes an offering to Christ. This reflection delves into the lyrical richness and theological depth of “Alabaster Heart,” exploring how it invites us to consider our own “Heart Song” of worship.
The song opens with a profound declaration:
So here it is my alabaster heart
I’m keeping nothing back from who You are
No hidden treasure veiled by key or lock
You’re a lifetime worth of worship, and that’s only just the start
These opening lines immediately draw a parallel to the woman with the alabaster box, often identified as Mary of Bethany. Just as she poured out her expensive perfume, the lyrics offer a heart, likened to alabaster, symbolizing purity and preciousness. This isn’t a partial offering, but a complete surrender, “keeping nothing back.” The imagery of “no hidden treasure veiled by key or lock” emphasizes transparency and vulnerability in worship. It speaks to a desire to lay bare our innermost selves before God, holding nothing back in our adoration. The phrase “lifetime worth of worship” highlights the immeasurable worth of Christ, suggesting that even a lifetime dedicated to worship is merely a beginning.
The song continues to expand on this theme of all-encompassing worship:
Here it is my every waking day
The minutes, hours, the years of endless praise
For You’re worthy far beyond all I could say
There’s a lifetime worth of worship in the nuance of Your names
This verse broadens the scope of worship from a singular act to a continuous lifestyle. “Every waking day,” “minutes, hours, years” – these phrases paint a picture of relentless, ongoing praise. It’s a worship that permeates every aspect of life. The lyrics acknowledge the inadequacy of words to fully express God’s worthiness, hinting at the ineffable nature of divine glory. “The nuance of Your names” suggests that exploring the multifaceted character of God, revealed through His names, provides endless avenues for worship and adoration.
The chorus serves as the heart song of the piece, a powerful outpouring of devotion:
Let it rise like incense
My whole life a fragrance
Every ounce here broken at Your feet
Every breath an offering
My heart cries, these lungs sing
Over You, my worthy King of kings
The chorus employs rich sensory imagery. “Incense” and “fragrance” evoke the Old Testament practice of offering sweet aromas to God, symbolizing prayers and worship rising to heaven. “My whole life a fragrance” encapsulates the idea of living sacrifice, where our entire existence becomes an act of worship, pleasing to God. The line “Every ounce here broken at Your feet” echoes the theme of brokenness and humility in worship, reminiscent of Psalm 51:17, which speaks of a broken and contrite heart as a sacrifice God will not despise. This brokenness isn’t about self-deprecation, but about recognizing our dependence on God and offering our vulnerability to Him. “Every breath an offering” further emphasizes the continuous nature of worship, even our very life force becomes a dedication to God. “My heart cries, these lungs sing” portrays a passionate, embodied worship that engages both the inner being and outward expression. The chorus culminates in declaring Jesus as “worthy King of kings,” the ultimate object of this extravagant worship.
The final verse shifts focus to the source of this worship, Christ’s sacrifice:
There it is, Your alabaster cross
Giving all You are for all I’m not
I can’t believe that’s the kind of King You are
How could I not bring a lifetime worth of worship to You God
Here, the “alabaster” imagery is transferred to the cross, highlighting the preciousness and purity of Christ’s sacrifice. “Giving all You are for all I’m not” poignantly captures the essence of substitutionary atonement – Christ giving His perfect life for our imperfections and shortcomings. This verse expresses awe and wonder at the nature of God’s love, prompting the rhetorical question, “How could I not bring a lifetime worth of worship to You God?” It underscores that our worship is a response to God’s immeasurable gift of salvation.
The imagery of Mary breaking the alabaster box is profoundly relevant, especially when considering the transformative power of Christ. As seen in Luke 7, Jesus defends the woman’s extravagant act of worship by highlighting the principle of forgiveness and gratitude. “Those for whom Christ has done so much can’t help but give him extravagant worship.” This song, “Alabaster Heart,” encapsulates this very sentiment. It is a call to pour out our lives in worship, recognizing the immeasurable worth of Christ and responding with hearts overflowing with gratitude for His sacrifice. It encourages each of us to listen to and express our own “heart song,” a unique melody of devotion rising from a life surrendered to the King of kings.
