CAPO GUITAR
SONG CELEBRATION MUSIC“ HIGHEST PRAISE” | Mitch Bohannon
Hymns. Do you include hymns in your setlist each week? I am in a new position leading worship at a small church, and I get to lead a good number of hymns again. I have always loved the“ older” songs and certainly don’ t want to forget them.
But, what about modern hymns? Can you name some songs you’ d consider to be modern hymns? How about Stuart Townend’ s“ In Christ Alone?” Well, I’ ve been listening to Celebration Music ever since I featured their song,“ O My Soul” and recently their song“ Highest Praise” keeps showing up on my Spotify playlist. Every time it does, I want to stop what I’ m doing and raise my hands in praise! It’ s such a powerful yet simple song.
I would call“ Highest Praise” a modern hymn largely because of the song’ s structure. Two verses, chorus, one verse, double chorus, two verses, double chorus, and tag. Within the song there are plenty of places to build dynamically so to match the lyrics and emotion of the song. Speaking of the lyric( the reason we sing the song) it is full of the story of Jesus, the Gospel, and our response to Him.
The song is recorded in the key of“ E,” and is a perfect fit for the Short-Cut Capo. The chord progression utilizes a nice bass-walk from the E to the E / G # to the A, which is really helpful in situations like I am currently in … leading by myself with just my guitar.
I just posted this song on Planning Center for my team. I plan to play finger style for verses 1 and 2, but I’ ll keep my pick handy for the chorus and the remainder of the song. By the way, where do you keep your pick when you’ re playing finger style? I often keep it on top of my guitar, but I really don’ t like fishing for it mid-song if it slides around! If the song is not too busy( finger-wise) I will cup it in my hand while I play. I guess that’ s my preferred way to keep it available.
Highest Praise
Chris Davenport | Jesse Reeves | Lauren Tyler | Ross Tyler
INTRO | E | E | E | E | V1
V2
C # m A E E / G # A B There’ s one Name that will outlast them all | There’ s one kingdom that will never end
C # m B E E / G # A E B E | E | Only One who came to seek and save the lost | The Son of God and Son of Man
C # m A E E / G # A B Can you hear the host of angels call | Crying glory glory to the Lamb
C # m B E E / G # A E B E We will lay our crowns before Him as we fall | Surrendered to the Great I Am
CHORUS E |
A |
E |
E |
A |
B |
You deserve the highest praise | You deserve the highest praise |
A |
B |
E E / G # A |
E |
B |
E |
A |
B |
From glory to glory from age to age | You deserve the highest praise |
V3 C # m A E E / G # A B
For our sake the Savior came to Earth | For our sin the Son was crucified C # m B E E / G # A E B E
Never been nor will there be a greater love | The precious blood of Jesus Christ
( CHORUS) V4
C # m A E E / G # A B There’ s a day that will be coming soon | When the sound of trumpets split the sky
C # m B E E / G # A E B E | E | Lift your eyes up to the heavens, see the Groom | Coming back to claim His bride
V5
( CHORUS)
C # m A E E / G # A B In a moment all will be made new | From the grave the dead in Christ will rise
C # m B E E / G # A E B C # m E / G # Open up the gates the King is coming through | Forever He is glorified
A B E Forever He is glorified
( C) CDavs Music | Songs For TIM | BEC Worship | Celebration People Publishing | WriterWrong Music
Anyway, I got off track a bit … the first double chorus needs to build and then breakdown to an easy verse 4 that will build back up and into verse 5 and then a big, full double chorus. That’ s my plan. The beauty of a song like this, as well as many other hymns, is that you can create your own arrangement. You can even shorten the song by not doubling the chorus in the middle. I personally would not cut out a verse as they progress lyrically through the Gospel.
Give the song a listen, grab your guitar and Short- Cut Capo and strum through and spend time in worship and praise today!
E C # m A E / G # B Mitch Bohannon Mitch Bohannon and his wife, Noelle have been married for over 33 years with three adult kids and 6 grandchildren! Mitch developed the Short-Cut capo for Kyser and leads worship at Trinity Baptist in Orange, TX and is an English teacher in Louisiana.
68 August 2025 Subscribe for Free...