Sandi Patty - We Shall Behold Him Lyrics
Lyrics
The sky shall unfold
Preparing His entrance
The stars shall applaud Him
With thunders of praise
The sweet light in His eyes, shall enhance those awaiting
And we shall behold Him, then face to face
O we shall behold Him, we shall behold Him
Face to face in all of His glory
O we shall behold Him, yes we shall behold Him
Face to face, our Savior and Lord
The angel will sound, the shout of His coming
And the sleeping shall rise, from there slumbering place
And those remaining, shall be changed in a moment
And we shall behold him, then face to face
We shall behold Him, o yes we shall behold Him
Face to face in all of His glory
We shall behold Him, face to face
Our Savior and Lord
We shall behold Him, our Savior and Lord
Savior and Lord!
Video
Bill & Gloria Gaither - We Shall Behold Him [Live] ft. Sandi Patty
Meaning & Inspiration
Sandi Patty's "We Shall Behold Him," released as part of her 2004 album *Hymns of Faith - Songs of Inspiration*, offers a profound and soaring reflection on a pivotal moment in Christian eschatology – the triumphant return of Jesus Christ. This powerful ballad transcends mere musical performance, serving as a vibrant testament to unwavering hope and the ultimate promise of eternal communion with God. The song’s core message is deeply rooted in scriptural prophecy, painting a vivid picture of Christ’s second coming as described in various biblical accounts. It speaks of a cosmic spectacle, where the heavens themselves will acknowledge His arrival, and celestial bodies will herald His presence with sounds of praise. This imagery echoes the divine majesty depicted in passages like Isaiah 14:12, which speaks of the morning star, and Revelation 19:11-16, detailing Christ’s triumphant return on a white horse, with armies of heaven following Him. The anticipation of seeing His "sweet light" and the direct, personal encounter described as "face to face" directly aligns with the Apostle Paul's assertion in 1 Corinthians 13:12: "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." This promise of complete understanding and recognition is a central tenet of Christian faith, offering solace and purpose in the present.
The lyrics further elaborate on the resurrection of the faithful, referencing the moment when "the sleeping shall rise from their slumbering place" and those remaining will undergo a miraculous transformation. This powerfully evokes the descriptions of the resurrection found in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, which states, "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of the archangel and with the sounding of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord." The "shout of His coming" and the instantaneous change of those alive reflect the awe-inspiring suddenness and finality of this prophetic event. The recurring refrain, "O we shall behold Him, we shall behold Him, Face to face in all of His glory," serves as a confident declaration of faith and a hopeful affirmation of the ultimate destiny of believers. It’s a vision of ultimate redemption, where all earthly struggles and limitations are overcome by the unadulterated presence of Christ, our "Savior and Lord." This song doesn't just describe an event; it inspires a posture of readiness and eager expectation for the consummation of God's plan, reminding us that even in the midst of life’s complexities, the promise of beholding Him in His full glory remains the ultimate beacon of hope.