Lyrics
Verse 1
This world is not my home I'm just a passing through
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore
Chorus (x3)
Oh Lord you know I have no friend like you
If heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore
Verse 2
I have a loving mother just over in Glory land
And I don't expect to stop until I shake her hand
She's waiting now for me in heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore
Verse 3
Just over in Glory land we'll live eternally
the saints on every hand are shouting victory
Their songs of sweetest praise drift back from heaven's shore
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“This World Is Not My Home” as sung by Jim Reeves is a gospel favorite about being a pilgrim on earth. The opening line, “I’m just a passing through,” sets the theme, with treasures laid up “somewhere beyond the blue” and angels beckoning from heaven’s open door. These ideas are close to Matthew 6:20 and Hebrews 11:13-16, which describe believers as strangers seeking a better country.
The repeated refrain turns to prayer: “Oh Lord you know I have no friend like you. If heaven’s not my home, then Lord what will I do.” It places the singer’s hope in the Lord’s friendship as much as in the place itself.
Later verses imagine a loving mother waiting in “Glory land” and the saints shouting victory, with songs of praise drifting back from heaven’s shore. That picture echoes Philippians 3:20, which says citizenship is in heaven. The message is longing for home and comfort in the promise of eternal life.
Related Scripture
- Hebrews 11:13-16 Strangers and pilgrims seeking a heavenly country
- Matthew 6:20 Treasures laid up in heaven
- Philippians 3:20 Citizenship in heaven