Acapeldridge - O That Will Be Glory Lyrics
Lyrics
When all my labors and trials are o’er,
And I am safe on that beautiful shore,
Just to be near the dear Lord I adore,
Will through the ages be glory for me.
Refrain:
Oh, that will be glory for me,
Glory for me, glory for me,
When by His grace I shall look on His face,
That will be glory, be glory for me.
When, by the gift of His infinite grace,
I am accorded in heaven a place,
Just to be there and to look on His face,
Will through the ages be glory for me.
Friends will be there I have loved long ago;
Joy like a river around me will flow;
Yet just a smile from my Savior, I know,
Will through the ages be glory for me.
Video
O That Will Be Glory
Meaning & Inspiration
Acapeldridge gifted us with their rendition of "O That Will Be Glory" on April 24, 2020, breathing new life into a timeless hymn that resonates deeply with the Christian hope of eternity. While the original words were penned by Charles H. Gabriel, Acapeldridge’s interpretation carries forward a profound message, inviting believers to ponder the ultimate destination of their faith. At its core, this song is a meditation on the believer's future in heaven, a heartfelt anticipation of the moment when earthly struggles cease and the glorious presence of God becomes the believer’s eternal reality. It speaks to the universal yearning for peace, completion, and an unending joy that only a divine encounter can provide.
The hymn opens by painting a picture of earthly toil concluding, declaring, "When all my labors and trials are o’er, And I am safe on that beautiful shore, Just to be near the dear Lord I adore, Will through the ages be glory for me." This stanza immediately brings to mind the weariness inherent in the human journey, a path often fraught with challenges and suffering. The promise of "labors and trials o'er" echoes passages like Revelation 21:4, where God "will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." The "beautiful shore" serves as a vivid metaphor for heaven, a place of safety and final rest, much like the "better country" described in Hebrews 11:16. However, the true essence of this "glory" isn't merely the absence of pain or a beautiful location; it is found in the declaration, "Just to be near the dear Lord I adore." This emphasizes that the ultimate reward of heaven is not merely a place, but the person of God Himself, a sentiment beautifully captured in Psalm 16:11: "In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
The refrain powerfully reiterates this central theme: "Oh, that will be glory for me, Glory for me, glory for me, When by His grace I shall look on His face, That will be glory, be glory for me." The repeated emphasis on "glory" underscores its immense significance, differentiating it from any worldly triumph or recognition. This "glory" is entirely a gift of divine grace, not something earned. The concept of "looking on His face" is particularly profound within biblical context. In the Old Testament, no one could see God's face and live (Exodus 33:20). Yet, through Christ's redemptive work, believers are promised this intimate encounter, as Revelation 22:4 affirms, "They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads." This direct, unmediated communion with the Divine is presented as the pinnacle of heavenly experience.
The second verse reinforces the concept of salvation as a divine act of grace: "When, by the gift of His infinite grace, I am accorded in heaven a place, Just to be there and to look on His face, Will through the ages be glory for me." This further cements the theological foundation that access to heaven is not a right earned by human merit, but a generous endowment from God. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." The assurance of "a place" in heaven echoes Jesus' words in John 14:2-3, "In My Father’s house are many mansions... I go to prepare a place for you." Again, the ultimate joy of this promised dwelling is inextricably linked to the personal presence of God.
The final stanza broadens the picture of heavenly joy while ultimately funneling it back to its primary source: "Friends will be there I have loved long ago; Joy like a river around me will flow; Yet just a smile from my Savior, I know, Will through the ages be glory for me." Here, the hymn acknowledges the comforting prospect of reuniting with loved ones who have passed on in faith, a hope that brings solace to many (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). It also anticipates an overwhelming, unending "joy like a river," an image of abundance and constant refreshment reminiscent of Psalm 36:8, where we "drink from the river of Your pleasures." However, the song masterfully elevates the "smile from my Savior" above all these other wonderful aspects of heaven. This subtle yet powerful distinction emphasizes that while fellowship with saints and boundless joy are incredible blessings, the supreme, enduring glory—the very essence of heaven—is the personal, loving affirmation from Christ Himself. This divine connection supersedes all other delights, solidifying that in the Christian hope, Christ is not just the way *to* glory, but the very embodiment *of* glory. Acapeldridge’s delivery of this classic hymn serves as a powerful reminder and a profound encouragement for all who long for that eternal "glory."