Everything seemed to just come together for Kari Jobe and her new album and DVD, Majestic. The live album was recorded at the end of last November at the aptly named Majestic Theater in Dallas, Texas. The album also features the song, “How Majestic,” which was originally started by Matt Redman and Chris Tomlin. The story goes that Jobe’s manager had just booked the Majestic Theater for the live recording when she got a call from the songwriting duo. They explained that they had been working on a new song, but kept thinking of Jobe and asked if she wanted to be a part of it.

The song sits in the middle of the album like an anchor holding everything else together. Jobe wanted to emphasize that God’s majesty is like nothing else by creating a song that builds with anticipation. In the end, the lyrics are simple but powerful:

Without a word, the mountains speak
The song that all creation sings
The painted skies, the sun and stars
The heavens tell how great You are
The heavens tell how great You are

How majestic is Your name
How majestic is Your name
Jesus, wonderful, powerful
You’re the Lord of all
How majestic is Your name

A rugged cross, a humble King
How beautiful the mystery
That love would bleed from majesty
All rise, all rise in highest praise
Your name will reign through all eternity
Our hope, our strength, our victory
We bow down, down at Your feet

The overall tone of the Majestic album is that of earlier worship albums in the past. It’s not as polished as a studio album and feels more organic with the live audience. The emphasis is placed on worship and a lot less on Jobe herself. If she is a celebrity worship “star,” she doesn’t come across as one. She’s genuine.

The music sounds great, but you’ll need to read the lyric sheet as the vocals are not as clear as they could be. Even so, if you turn the music up and close eyes, you’ll feel like you’re right there with the crowd. Unlike some worship songs with complicated lyrics, Jobe’s songs feature simple choruses that are easy to memorize and in turn, easier to engage in worship on your own.

The album features all new music except for one song that you’ve probably sang in church – “Holy Spirit.” (Holy Spirit, You are welcome here, come flood this place and fill the atmosphere, Your glory, God is what our hearts long for, to be overcome by Your presence Lord). It features Cody Carnes, who co-wrote a few of the songs. Other songwriters include Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Reuben Morgan, Brian Johnson, Jason Ingram and Paul Baloche. 

A personal favorite song of mine has got to be “Keeper of My Heart” which was co-written with both Tomlin and Ingram. The song states the matter-of-factness that from our very first breath until our last, our God watches over us. It is a song of comfort and joy.

In addition to the release of the CD, Jobe is also releasing her first-ever full-length live concert DVD which features the full concert and a few bonus songs.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *