Worship begins long before the music starts

True worship doesn’t begin with a stage or a microphone. It begins quietly, in a living room, a church pew, or a whispered prayer where a young heart simply wants to know God more.

For Sam Hibbett, a Christian worship artist and songwriter from Scotland, music has always been more than a skill. It has been a response. A way of meeting with God, of making sense of faith and of inviting others into something holy and real.

Sam shared a journey shaped not by ambition, but by obedience, one step at a time, guided by community, prayer and a growing love for Jesus.

A Songwriter Shaped by True Worship

Growing up in the church, music was woven into Sam’s everyday life. Worship songs filled the house. Church life gave space for young people to serve. And even as a child, music felt instinctive, something that stirred joy and connection.

But it wasn’t until his teenage years that music became deeply personal. For Sam, true worship moved from something around him to something within him. It became a place of encounter. A private language between his heart and God.

That quiet devotion eventually spilled over into songwriting, not as a career move, but as prayer set to melody. Songs written first to God, not for an audience.

“I remember praying and asking God for the gift of songwriting,” Sam shared. “Not to perform but to write songs that were for Him.”

God answered that prayer, gently and faithfully.

When Community Calls Out the Gift

Like many Christian artists, Sam didn’t step into releasing music alone. It was the encouragement of others. Friends, church leaders, family- many recognised the call on his life and nudged him forward.

Sometimes God speaks through people who see what we can’t yet see ourselves.

As Sam grew in confidence, doors opened. With worship teams, writing retreats and moments where songs felt bigger than the room they were written in. Still, the journey remained rooted in service. With his heart set on supporting churches and creating spaces for people to encounter God, Sam stayed grounded in community.

What began as faithful obedience slowly became full‑time ministry.

Hail the King: A Song of Praise and Freedom

Sam’s latest release, Hail the King, carries that same heart. It’s bold, anthemic and full of joy, yet deeply theological at its core.

Written during a retreat on Scotland’s west coast, the song draws inspiration from scripture and creation itself. It’s a call to praise. A reminder of what Jesus has done, paying the debt of sin, breaking chains and inviting His people into freedom.

With driving drums, soaring melodies and congregational strength, Hail the King feels like an invitation to lift our eyes again. To join the song of heaven. To remember who sits on the throne.

It’s the kind of worship song that doesn’t perform for the church, but sings with it.

Running Back to Grace

Another of Sam’s songs, Running Back, tells a quieter but equally powerful story. Inspired by the parable of the Prodigal Son, it captures the moment of return, the turning point where shame meets mercy.

Written from the perspective of the son, the song reflects the grace of a Father who doesn’t stand back in judgement, but runs toward His child with compassion.

It’s a reminder that no matter how far we wander, the way home is always open. Heaven rejoices over every heart that turns back.

For many listeners, that truth has landed deeply. This, especially among young people navigating faith in a noisy, anxious world.

True Worship in an Overwhelming World

Sam doesn’t shy away from the realities of modern life. He acknowledges how overwhelming the world can feel with the waves of constant news, global injustice, and the pressure of always being connected.

One of his songs, Let Justice Flood the Earth, was written in a moment of prayerful honesty. A cry to God in the face of injustice. A reminder that when the weight of the world feels too heavy, we’re invited to bring our heavy burdens back to Him in true worship.

Sam’s advice is simple, but deeply biblical – return to God’s Word. Lift your eyes. Worship your way back to perspective.

“God is still sovereign,” Sam says. “Even when it feels like everything is out of control.”

Living as a Citizen of Heaven

Looking ahead, Sam is working toward a new worship album titled Citizen of Heaven. This new offering is a collection of songs centred on identity, hope and the Kingdom of God.

It’s a reminder that while we live here, our true home is found in Christ. That faith is not an escape from reality, but an invitation to live differently within it.

For Sam Hibbett, true worship will always be an overflow of relationship, not performance, not platform, always praise.

And perhaps that’s the invitation for all of us.

To return.
To lift our eyes.
And to hail the King, together.

Article supplied with thanks to Vision Christian Media – a non-profit, follower-funded Christian media ministry taking God’s Word to every corner of Australia and beyond through broadcast, online and print media.

Feature image: Canva

Swedish-born songwriter Jonas Myrin reflects on his own full circle moment as Delta Goodrem’s Eurovision entry Eclipse reached the world stage.

In May last year Jonas was invited by Delta to collaborate on what she hoped would become her Eurovision entry. Jonas presented the “seed of the idea” for Eclipse, and together with songwriters Michael Fatkin and Ferras completed the successful submission. When it was sung on the Eurovision stage for the first time during the semifinals, Jonas had a surreal moment of gratefulness for what God had done.

“I have to pinch myself and say to my 9-year-old self, ‘Look what God can do’,” Jonas said.

“Look what happened, when you have a dream in your heart and when you stay true to that dream and don’t compromise on the way and just follow that heart.

“Standing in the arena and seeing 15,000 people sing along to every word of this song that started as a small idea made me so grateful.”

With Delta marking our 11th entry into Eurovision, Australia are relative newcomers to the competition but in Europe the event isn’t just a song contest – it’s part of the “cultural history”.

“Growing up in a small town in Sweden I remember watching [Swedish entry] Carola Häggvist win in 1991 and feeling the magnitude of what the stage represented for us back then,” Jonas said.

“It was this global stage and Sweden got to win.

“I was just a little kid, but it made such a big impact on me.”

During this year’s contest Jonas has become an “honourary Australian”, seeing countless messages of support pour in for Delta and “carrying the vision” of what they wanted to achieve with Eclipse.

“I wanted to reflect the Eurovision Song Contest’s message about being united by music, and alignment between creation and alignment in life,” Jonas shared.

“Alignment in creation is the eclipse when the sun and moon – two opposite things – meet in this divine, miraculous moment.

“To represent Australia and a message of hope, with a song of hope, in these times is such a privilege as co-writer.”

Delta has spoken often about how former Eurovision entrants Olivia Newton-John (her mentor) and Celine Dion inspired her on her journey to Vienna, and Jonas knows she did them proud.

“Watching her this week has just been amazing,” Jonas said.

“Delta’s mission has always been to touch people through her music, [and] she has such an ease and flow and a grace about her.

“In that third chorus [of Eclipse], she’s being elevated into the sky, and she just does it so effortlessly, like she can just make anything come alive.”

After Eurovision the focus now turns to the November release of Delta’s next album Pure, on which Jonas is also a collaborator.

“Delta is entering an incredibly powerful creative season,” Jonas said.

“Pure has some really beautiful songs that come from really personal and emotional places from all of us who’ve been part of this process.

“Delta poured her own heart into this album, [and] what I love so much working with her is that she’s not just an amazing singer and performer, but she’s a great musician.

“Collaborating with her – not just as a singer, but as a writer and musician – has been such a joy.”

Jonas’ message to the fans that supported Delta through Eurovision is simple: thank you.

“We are overwhelmed by the love, by the support, by all the messages,” Jonas said.

“Thank you to the Hope listeners for also being part of this journey, for your prayers, for your encouragement and for your lovely messages on Instagram and social media.

“It’s been so, so fun to do this journey together with Australia.”

Young Jonas wouldn’t believe it.

“That’s probably been the most incredible gift of this Eurovision adventure, for young Jonas in Sweden, seeing that one day he would be standing on the other side [of the stage] and have a song that’s done so well.

“It’s such an amazing privilege.”

Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.

About the Author: Laura Bennett is a media professional, broadcaster and writer from Sydney, Australia.

Feature image: Supplied