Seven Places is simply this – a ministry driven, evangelistic rock band wit… Read Full Bio ↴Seven Places is simply this – a ministry driven, evangelistic rock band with very legitimate music. You will be hooked by this sound and the lyrics. In a time when so many bands place the mark of legitimacy on mainstream success, Seven Places is interested in an altar call. “Our name’s about the seven places Jesus Christ bled from to save us from our sins,” explains Seth Gilbert, singer for Seven Places. “His hands cover the sinful things we’ve done with our hands. His feet cover the places of sin we’ve walked. His back covers all the times we’ve turned our back on Him, and His side, which is really from His heart, allows our hardened hearts to be softened. It’s all about His blood and the fact that we’re being covered by it at all points.”

The Seven Places guys are from southern Oregon and have a long family history in the Calvary Chapel environment. Tyler Jones, guitarist for Seven Places comments, ”The Calvary Chapel system was initially created for hippies on the beach in southern California to hear the gospel. They were kids that were a little out of the box from the mainstream church at the time, but the worship was amazing and it spoke to them. They were getting saved right where they were, in their environment. We’ve just carried that original philosophy into our band. We want to impact kids right where they are.” Indeed they have. Seth and Tyler, together with Seth’s little brother Jeffrey on drums, and Donnie Vizzini on bass began playing for their youth group at a weekly worship event. That number went from 100 to 1,000 kids and stayed that way for two years. Shortly thereafter, Seven Places signed a record deal with BEC Recordings and hit the studio with producer Aaron Sprinkle (Kutless, Jeremy Camp) to record their debut release, Lonely For The Last Time. Clearly, Sprinkle’s indie-rock meets power pop sensibilities gelled well with Seven Places’ pre-existing sound on the disc’s eleven choice cuts, which are loaded with electric urgency, towering crescendos, and a hint of the alternative underground, designated to please listeners of various genre interests. Tyler sums up the band’s approach to writing by saying, “I strive for honesty, and I realize a lot of other songwriters do the same thing, but sometimes they don’t point to anything eternal in the end. It’s fine to share your feelings in really emotional and expressive manners, but in the end thoughts have to be brought back to the Lord.”

Specifically, songs like “Stay the Same” (an ode to self-esteem); “Thinking It Over” (about making difficult life choices) and “Yours” (revolving worshipful adoration) echo such sentiments, as does the anthemic title cut about finding identity in Christ. The punchy radio ready rocker “Like It Never Happened” is a plea for listeners to forget their sinful past, while “Western Wall” was inspired by Seth’s recent trip to Israel. “I gained a new love and appreciation for all of the history of Israel and the Jewish people,” he explains. “But I also saw the community weakened and really struggling by depressing economic times. I wrote ‘Western Wall’ in response to that situation as an encouragement to those feeling dry in their walk with the Lord.”

Beyond any hit single, a spot on any coveted tour, or the quest for longevity, Seven Places’ members would rather focus on the ministering elements of such songs. Unlike some bands with Christian members who get their start on the spiritual scene in hopes of crossing over to the mainstream, Seven Places’ specifically strives to edify the body of Christ and revive hurting listeners’ faith. “We’re about presenting a faith that is real and relevant to young people that have grown up in the church and we’re hear to remind them that this isn’t just their parents’ God,” Seth concludes. “It’s about getting a message of hope to those that have been burnt out in their walk and getting them back on track.”

I Look Upon Your Hill
Seven Places Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I look upon Your hill
Your broken body hanging still
Your blood drips down
Your face and brow
You brought me life through death
No greater Love than this

Surely He's borne our grief

Carried our sorrow
Through we've gone astray
It's by His stripes and wounds
We were healed
On that glorious day

Oh Lord, You've worn the crown
I've placed upon Your head
Oh Lord, I've pierced Your hands
Yet Your blood declares my innocence

Surely He's borne our grief
Carried our sorrow
Through we've gone astray
It's by His stripes and wounds

We were healed
On that glorious day

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "I Look Upon Your Hill" by Seven Places speaks about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the ultimate sacrifice that He made for mankind. It starts off by talking about how the singer is looking upon the hill where Jesus was crucified and sees His broken body hanging still. The next line continues with the image of His blood dripping down His face and brow, which emphasizes the physical pain and suffering that Jesus endured during His crucifixion.

The chorus then comes in to highlight the significance of His death, saying that He brought life through death and there is no greater love than the sacrifice that He made. The following verse talks about how Christ has borne our grief and carried our sorrows, even though we have gone astray. It is by His stripes and wounds that we have been healed, emphasizing the redemptive power of His sacrifice.

The bridge of the song then shifts the focus back to the physical pain that Christ endured during His crucifixion. It talks about how the singer has placed a crown of thorns upon His head and pierced His hands, yet Christ's blood declares the innocence of the people who believe in Him. Ultimately, the song is a powerful testament to the depth of Christ's love and sacrifice for humanity, and the hope and healing that He brings to those who believe in Him.

Line by Line Meaning

I look upon Your hill
I gaze at the hill where you were crucified.

Your broken body hanging still
Your body is lifeless and unresponsive.

Your blood drips down
Your blood flows down from the wounds all over your body.

Your face and brow
Your face and forehead are covered in sweat, blood, and dirt.

You brought me life through death
Your sacrifice on the cross saved me from eternal death.

No greater Love than this
There is no greater love than sacrificing oneself for the sake of another.

Surely He's borne our grief
Surely Jesus has suffered for our sadness and pain.

Carried our sorrow
He has carried the burden of our sorrow on His shoulders.

Through we've gone astray
Even though we have wandered away from Him.

It's by His stripes and wounds
We are healed by the scars and injuries He sustained for us.

We were healed
Our spiritual healing was made possible through His sacrifice.