Empires
Hillsong United Lyrics


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We are worlds, we are bodies
Empires of dirt and grace
Silhouettes and reflections
Caught in His holy flame

Beneath our skin
A new creation
The night is done
Our chains are broken
The time has come
The wait is over
The King is here
And His Name is Jesus

This is love
Bending skies to heal the broken
This is love
Bleeding life into the grave
Hear the sound
As our hearts cry out forever
Singing hallelujah
Breathing in a brand new world

We are shadows and portraits
Empires of light and clay
Images of our Maker
Sinners called out as saints

Beneath our skin
A new creation
The night is done
Our chains are broken
The time has come
The wait is over
The King is here
And His Name is Jesus

This is love
Bending skies to heal the broken
This is love
Bleeding life into the grave
Hear the sound
As our hearts cry out forever
Singing hallelujah
Breathing in a brand new world

No eye has seen
No ear has heard
No mind conceive
What heaven holds
But here and now
Let earth be found
With all our crowns
Upon Your Name

No eye has seen
No ear has heard
No mind conceive
What heaven holds
But here and now
Let earth be found




With all our crowns
Upon Your Name

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Hillsong United’s song Empires speaks about humanity as empires of dirt and grace, and how we are caught in His holy flame. It talks about how we are a new creation, and the time has come for the chains to be broken as the King, Jesus, is here. The song also emphasizes what love truly is, how it could heal the broken and breathe life into the grave. Ultimately, the song speaks of the hope of a new world and how heaven can be found on earth.


The lyrics of Empires are a reminder of the power of God’s love and how it could transform humanity. The song suggests that we are all empires made of both dirt and grace. On one hand, we are mere mortals, made of flesh and bone, and living in a world that can be merciless. On the other hand, we are also made in God’s image and are blessed with the ability to create, love, and inspire. The song challenges listeners to look inward and realize that beneath our skin is a new creation, and the time has come for the chains to be broken.


Overall, the message of Hillsong United’s Empires is one of hope, love, and transformation. It speaks of the possibility of a brand new world, where heaven can be found on earth, and all our crowns are upon His Name. It reminds us that in His name, we have the power to create a better world, and with love, we can heal the broken.


Line by Line Meaning

We are worlds, we are bodies
We are individuals, unique and whole beings


Empires of dirt and grace
We have the potential to create and destroy, to sin and to be redeemed


Silhouettes and reflections
We are constantly changing and evolving, learning from our past and looking towards our future


Caught in His holy flame
We are enveloped by the love of God, transformed by His power


Beneath our skin
Our true selves lie within, waiting to be discovered


A new creation
We have the power to change, to start anew, to be reborn


The night is done
The darkness of our lives and our hearts is over, replaced by the light of God's love


Our chains are broken
We are no longer bound by sin, by fear, by doubt


The time has come
The moment we have been waiting for, longing for, is finally here


The wait is over
Our patience and faithfulness have been rewarded


The King is here
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, has come to us


And His Name is Jesus
The name above all names, the one who brings us life and hope


This is love
God's love for us is powerful and transformative


Bending skies to heal the broken
God's love has no limits, and can do miraculous things


Bleeding life into the grave
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross brought life and redemption to all of us


Hear the sound
Our hearts are lifted up in praise and worship


As our hearts cry out forever
Our love for God will never fade or die, it is eternal


Singing hallelujah
Our joy overflows and we cannot help but express it in praise


Breathing in a brand new world
Our lives are changed, transformed, and renewed by God's love


We are shadows and portraits
Our lives are a reflection of God's image, always changing and growing


Empires of light and clay
We can build a better world, one of love, justice, and mercy


Images of our Maker
We are made in God's image, carrying a part of Him within us


Sinners called out as saints
Though we fall short and sin, we are still loved and called by God's grace


No eye has seen
We cannot fathom the depths of God's love and mercy


No ear has heard
We cannot fully comprehend the beauty and wonder of heaven


No mind conceive
Our imagination cannot do justice to the glory of God


What heaven holds
We have a hope and a promise of eternal life with God


But here and now
In this life, in this moment, we can experience God's love and grace


Let earth be found
May our lives be grounded in God's truth and goodness


With all our crowns
We offer ourselves, our talents, our lives, to God in worship and service


Upon Your Name
All glory, honor, and praise belong to God alone




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BEN TENNIKOFF, CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL DAVENPORT, DYLAN GEORGE THOMAS, JOEL TIMOTHY HOUSTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@misssunshine2274

We are worlds, we are bodies
Empires of dirt and grace
Silhouettes and reflections
Caught in His holy flame

Beneath our skin
A new creation
The night is done
Our chains are broken
The time has come
The wait is over
The King is here
And His Name is Jesus

This is love
Bending skies to heal the broken
This is love
Bleeding life into the grave
Hear the sound
As our hearts cry out forever
Singing hallelujah
Breathing in a brand new world

We are shadows and portraits
Empires of light and clay
Images of our Maker
Sinners called out as saints

Beneath our skin
A new creation
The night is done
Our chains are broken
The time has come
The wait is over
The King is here
And His Name is Jesus

This is love
Bending skies to heal the broken
This is love
Bleeding life into the grave
Hear the sound
As our hearts cry out forever
Singing hallelujah
Breathing in a brand new world

No eye has seen
No ear has heard
No mind conceive
What heaven holds
But here and now
Let earth be found
With all our crowns
Upon Your Name

No eye has seen
No ear has heard
No mind conceive
What heaven holds
But here and now
Let earth be found
With all our crowns
Upon Your Name



@debbie1724cham

예수님 감사합니다. 사랑합니다!!

.. Beneath our skin
A new creation
The night is done
Our chain has broken
The time has come
The wait is over
The King is here
And His Name is JESUS

This is love
Bending skies to heal the broken
This is love
Bleeding life into the grave
Hear the sound
As our hearts cry out forever
Singing hallelujiah
Breathing in a brand new world.. 



All comments from YouTube:

@chrispeterson735

This song is one of Hillsong United's best...proof that "less is more". The music is not loud and overpowering, Jad Gillies' voice is clear and pure without being forced...yet the lyrics are so powerful and profound, that The LORD truly stands out. In the end, that is exactly what worship music is all about (less of us, more of Him), and these guys are masters of the art.

@timzigashane6083

I like the description, this song is so underated

@diego.honorioluz

Truth. Glory to Holy Spirit!!!

@patriciaarauz7385

This song is .... wowowow, the voice of the singer, and the words, its prophecy to the soul, it reminds all He has done for me, all the journey. I feel like I can die right now full of peace and happiness. nothing matters only being with Him.

@sementajulies7277

🙌😭😭😭

@DHIMHMWNM

ONE GOD; ONE LOVE; ONE SPIRIT; ONE LIFE; ONE LIGHT; ONE KING; ONE MESSIAH; ONE JESUS !!!

@shal313

+Red Freeman Yes ♥ :)

@EmManuel-xw4xp

amen we are all one in christ

@elainevieira6840

Como sinto tua presença Deus ❤️

@DiscoLivroFe

Olá! Tenho vídeos sobre United, Hillsong, Brooke Fraser, Reuben Morgan, Darlene Zschech e muito mais. Fica o convite.

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