Bethel Music - Holy Forever Lyrics
Lyrics
A thousand generations falling down in worship
To sing the song of ages to the Lamb
And all who've gone before us and all who will believe
Will sing the song of ages to the Lamb
Your Name is the highest, Your Name is the greatest
Your Name stands above them all
All thrones and dominions, all powers and positions
Your Name stands above them all
And the angels cry holy
All creation cries holy
You are lifted high, holy
Holy forever
If you've been forgiven and if you've been redeemed
Sing the song forever to the Lamb
And if you walk in freedom, if you bear His Name
Sing the song forever to the Lamb
Sing the song forever and amen
With all the angels cry holy
All creation cries holy
You are lifted high, holy
Holy forever
Hear Your people sing holy
And to the King of kings, holy
And You will always be holy
Holy forever
Oh 'cause Your Name is the highest, Your Name is the greatest
Your Name stands above them all
Above all thrones and dominions, and all powers and positions
Your Name stands above them all
Oh Jesus
Your Name is the highest, Your Name is the greatest
Your Name, oh it stands above them all
Above all thrones and dominions, and all powers and positions
Your Name, oh it stands above them all
And the angels cry holy
And all creation cries holy
You are lifted high, holy
Holy forever, hey
Hear Your people sing holy
And to the King of kings, holy
And You will always be holy
Holy forever
You will always be holy
Holy forever
Video
Holy Forever - Bethel Music, Jenn Johnson
Meaning & Inspiration
"Holy Forever," released by Bethel Music featuring Jenn Johnson on February 3, 2023, is a powerful declaration set to music, serving as an anthem of worship that spans across time and creation. The song captures a vision of worship not confined to a single place or moment but extending through "a thousand generations," encompassing "all who've gone before us" and "all who will believe." It paints a picture of a unified chorus from both heaven and earth, all directing their praise towards the Lamb, a central figure in Christian theology representing Jesus Christ and His redemptive work.
A core message woven throughout the song is the absolute supremacy and unmatched authority of God's Name, explicitly identified as Jesus in later verses. The lyrics state that "Your Name is the highest, Your Name is the greatest," asserting its position "above all thrones and dominions, all powers and positions." This highlights a foundational belief in the unparalleled status of God and His Name, standing in ultimate authority over every earthly and spiritual power, a theme consistent with biblical portrayals of Christ's exalted status.
Central to the song's lyrical tapestry is the repeated declaration of "Holy." This reflects a fundamental attribute of God, emphasizing His perfect purity, moral excellence, and separateness from all creation. The song depicts this cry originating from various sources: "the angels cry holy," "all creation cries holy," and "Your people sing holy." This universal acknowledgement of God's holiness underscores His transcendent nature and the reverence due to Him, a concept found throughout scripture where angelic beings and creation itself acknowledge God's sanctity.
Furthermore, "Holy Forever" serves as a direct invitation and call to action for believers. It specifically addresses those who have "been forgiven" and "been redeemed," those who "walk in freedom" and "bear His Name." These identifiers point to the community of faith, called to join the eternal song of worship "forever." The song encourages these individuals to participate in the ongoing, never-ending praise directed towards God, reinforcing the idea that worship is a response to redemption and a perpetual state for the believer. The recurring phrase "Holy forever" encapsulates the eternal nature of God's holiness and the worship He receives.
The structure and repetition within the song build intensity, moving from a historical and cosmic view of worship to a specific call to the redeemed community, before returning to the resounding chorus of "Holy forever" sung by angels, creation, and God's people. This cumulative effect underscores the song's central theme: God's eternal holiness and supreme Name are worthy of never-ending worship from all corners of existence, inspiring listeners to join this timeless and universal declaration. The inclusion of "Hear Your people sing holy" alongside the heavenly hosts connects earthly worship directly to the grand, eternal scene of praise.