Lyrics
Verse 1
Holy
There is none more holy
Unmatched in all Your glory
Still You call me friend
Verse 2
Who may
Ascend the hill of heaven
Experience Your presence
A love that knows no end
Pre-Chorus
Jesus cleanse these open hands
And purify my heart
Chorus
I wanna be holy
As You’re holy
I wanna be set apart for You
‘Cause I know that this
World has nothing for me
I wanna be holy as You are
Holy as You are
Verse 3
Always
All Your ways are higher
Rid us of our idols
And let Your light come in
Pre-Chorus
I know that the fear of God
Is where all wisdom starts
Bridge
Your life for my sake
Precious blood has saved me
There’s no one more holy
You turned that cross to victory
My sin and my shame
Has been buried in the grave
And I’ll never be the same
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
The song is a prayer for holiness shaped by wonder at God’s unmatched glory. It holds together two truths: God is completely holy, yet Christ welcomes his people as friends and brings them near. The request for clean hands and a pure heart turns praise into confession, while the desire to be set apart rejects the idols and attractions that compete with devotion.
Its language draws directly from several biblical passages. The question about ascending God’s hill and the plea for clean hands echo Psalm 24. The desire to share God’s holiness reflects the call in 1 Peter for holy conduct, and the statement that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord recalls Proverbs. The bridge grounds this pursuit of holiness in Christ’s sacrifice rather than personal achievement. His blood saves, the cross becomes victory, and buried shame gives way to a changed life devoted to God.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 24:3-4 The song echoes the question about ascending God’s hill with clean hands and a pure heart.
- 1 Peter 1:15-16 The chorus reflects the call to be holy because God is holy.
- Proverbs 9:10 The pre-chorus echoes the teaching that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.