Hillsong Young And Free - Glimpse Lyrics

Glimpse

Glimpse Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

Hillsong Young & Free’s song "Glimpse," released on August 28, 2020, offers a vibrant and reflective look at our relationship with God, capturing the universal human experience of striving to understand the divine while acknowledging our limited perspective. The song’s core message centers on the idea that what we experience of God’s glory, power, and presence in this life is merely a fraction, a small peek, a "glimpse," of His true immensity and the fullness of what is to come. This theme resonates deeply with the biblical understanding of God, who is infinite and beyond full comprehension by finite beings. While we are invited into a relationship with Him and can know Him truly through Jesus Christ, our current understanding is necessarily constrained, much like Moses on Mount Sinai was shown only God’s back and not His face (Exodus 33:20-23), because no one can see God's face and live. The song beautifully articulates this tension between intimacy and transcendence, recognizing the preciousness of the access we have while holding onto the hope for a more complete revelation.

Musically, "Glimpse" employs the signature energetic and modern sound that Hillsong Young & Free is known for, blending electronic textures with anthemic melodies. The production creates an atmosphere that feels both vast and intimate, mirroring the lyrical content. There’s a sense of upward striving and awe conveyed through the melody and instrumentation, building to moments of praise that feel earned after acknowledging the mystery of God's nature. This musical approach serves to make the profound theological concept relatable and even exhilarating, framing the pursuit of knowing God not as a dry academic exercise, but as a dynamic, living journey filled with moments of breathtaking encounter. The arrangement supports the narrative arc of the song, moving from perhaps a more introspective recognition of human limitation to an outward expression of worship for the little bit of God's glory we are privileged to see and experience.

The lyrical content, without needing to quote extensively, speaks to the overwhelming nature of God's presence and the wonder felt when we encounter even a small part of it. It touches on the idea that God is both closer than our breath and yet dwelling in unapproachable light. This duality is a cornerstone of Christian theology, echoed in Scriptures like Isaiah 55:8-9, where God declares that His thoughts and ways are higher than ours, and Psalm 145:3, which proclaims His greatness is "unsearchable." Yet, simultaneously, Jesus promises that He and the Father will make their home with those who love Him (John 14:23). "Glimpse" captures this paradox—we see only a part, but that part is enough to ignite worship and fuel our faith. It’s an encouragement to cherish the moments of divine connection we are given, understanding that they are tastes of a reality far grander than we can currently grasp. The song implicitly points towards the future hope described in passages like 1 Corinthians 13:12, which speaks of seeing "through a glass, darkly" now, but one day seeing "face to face," and 1 John 3:2, which says that when Christ appears, "we shall see him as he is."

In essence, "Glimpse" serves as a reminder of the humility required in approaching the divine and the incredible grace that allows us any access at all. It doesn't claim full understanding or a perfect vision of God, but celebrates the partial revelation we have been given, particularly through the person of Jesus Christ, who is the "radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" (Hebrews 1:3). The song invites a posture of wonder and worship, prompting listeners to appreciate the moments when the veil feels thin and we catch a glimpse of the eternal. It encourages pressing into that relationship, knowing that every glimpse builds anticipation for the day when faith will become sight and we will know fully, even as we have been fully known.