Matt Maher - Holy Lyrics
Lyrics
You are enthroned in heaven
Beauty unlike I’ve ever seen
No eye has seen
You are enthroned in heaven
I am a sinner on my knees
Woe is me
Holy You are holy
There is none beside Thee
And all Your works shall praise Your Name
Singing holy, You are holy
Your voice is a burning ember
One touch and I’m forever changed
I’m not the same
Your voice is a burning ember
Each time I hear you call my name
I’m not the same
Holy You are holy
There is none beside Thee
And all Your works shall praise Your name
Singing holy, You are holy
Singing holy, You are holy
I am ruined by Your kindness
I am broken by Your love
I surrender my resistance
To the righteous heart of God
I am ruined by Your kindness
I am broken by Your love
I surrender my resistance
To the righteous heart of God
Holy You are holy
There is none beside Thee
And all Your works shall praise Your name
Singing holy, You are holy
Singing holy, You are holy
Holy You are holy
Merciful and mighty
And all Your works shall praise Your name
Singing holy, You are holy
Singing holy, You are holy
Video
Matt Maher - Holy (Official Audio)
Meaning & Inspiration
Matt Maher's "Holy," officially released on September 29, 2017, stands as a profound worship anthem that delves into the awe-inspiring nature of God and the transformative impact of His presence on the human spirit. The song captures a raw, deeply personal encounter with the divine, articulating a journey from humble recognition of one's own sinfulness to complete surrender and adoration. It's a testament to the power of experiencing God's holiness, a theme woven throughout Scripture and brought to contemporary expression here with striking clarity.
The narrative of "Holy" commences with a powerful contrast between the exalted majesty of God and the humble state of humanity. The opening lines establish God as "enthroned in heaven," possessing a "beauty unlike I’ve ever seen," which no eye has truly comprehended. This echoes the biblical descriptions of God's unapproachable light and glory, as found in 1 Timothy 6:16, where He is said to dwell in unapproachable light, and 1 Corinthians 2:9, which speaks of things "no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined" that God has prepared. In stark juxtaposition, the lyricist places himself as "a sinner on my knees," uttering "Woe is me." This immediate acknowledgement of personal unworthiness in the face of divine perfection mirrors the prophet Isaiah's lament in Isaiah 6:5 when he encounters the Lord's glory in the temple, exclaiming, "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips." This foundational humility sets the stage for genuine worship, recognizing the vast chasm between human failing and divine perfection.
The chorus then explodes with the declaration, "Holy, You are holy / There is none beside Thee / And all Your works shall praise Your Name." This refrain is a direct invocation of the Seraphim's chant in Isaiah 6:3 and the heavenly hosts in Revelation 4:8, proclaiming God's absolute purity and transcendent separation from all creation. The affirmation "There is none beside Thee" directly references passages like Isaiah 45:5-6, which underscores God's unique sovereignty and the absence of any rival deity. The conviction that "all Your works shall praise Your Name" finds resonance throughout the Psalms, such as Psalm 148, which calls upon all creation—from the heavens to the earth's creatures—to glorify the Creator. It’s a collective declaration, acknowledging that God’s intrinsic holiness compels universal adoration.
The song progresses to describe the profound impact of God's presence, portraying His "voice as a burning ember" and declaring that "one touch and I’m forever changed / I’m not the same." This imagery evokes the refining fire of God's Word and Spirit, as described in Jeremiah 23:29, where God's word is likened to fire and a hammer that breaks rock. The transformation is not fleeting but eternal, a new creation experience echoing 2 Corinthians 5:17, which states, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." The repeated line "Each time I hear you call my name / I’m not the same" further emphasizes an ongoing, dynamic relationship where every encounter with God's voice brings renewed change and deeper alignment, reminiscent of John 10:3-4, where the sheep know and follow the shepherd’s voice.
The bridge offers perhaps the most striking and moving declaration of surrender: "I am ruined by Your kindness / I am broken by Your love / I surrender my resistance / To the righteous heart of God." This profound paradox highlights the depth of God's grace. To be "ruined by kindness" is not destruction but a shattering of self-sufficiency and pride, a vulnerability induced by overwhelming goodness. Romans 2:4 teaches that it is God's kindness that leads to repentance, not His judgment. Similarly, being "broken by Your love" speaks to a contrite spirit, a heart softened and humbled by divine affection, aligning with Psalm 51:17: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." The surrender of "resistance" to the "righteous heart of God" is a willing submission to His perfect will and justice, a call to offer one's body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, as urged in Romans 12:1. It’s a complete yielding to the One whose character is inherently just and true, as celebrated in Psalm 11:7, "For the Lord is righteous; He loves righteous deeds."
The song concludes by reiterating the core truth of God's holiness, adding the descriptors "Merciful and mighty." This final expansion of God's character beautifully synthesizes key attributes of the divine. His mercy, as revealed in Exodus 34:6-7, signifies His compassionate slowness to anger and abounding steadfast love, while His might, celebrated in Psalm 24:8 as "The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle," underscores His omnipotence and sovereign power. "Holy" by Matt Maher is more than a song; it's a prayer, a confession, and a profound statement of faith that invites the worshiper to join in the eternal chorus of heaven, recognizing God not just as holy, but as the source of all transformation and the worthy recipient of all praise. Its message resonates deeply, calling us to a place of humility, adoration, and complete, grateful surrender to the holy, merciful, and mighty God.