The City Harmonic - Holy (Wedding Day) Lyrics
Lyrics
This is the story of the Son of God hangin' on a cross for me
But it ends with a bride and groom and a wedding by a glassy sea
O, death, where is your sting?
?Cause I'll be there singin'
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord
This is the story of a bride in white waitin' on her wedding day
Anticipation welling up inside while her groom is crowned a King
O, death, where is your sting?
?Cause we'll be there singin'
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord
Holy, holy
Holy, holy
Holy, holy
Is the Lord Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
This is the story of the son of God hanging on a cross for me
And it ends with a bride and groom and a wedding by a glassy sea
This is the story of a bride in white singin' on her wedding day
Altogether all that was, and is can stand before her God and sing
Holy, holy
Holy, holy
Holy, holy
Is the Lord Almighty
Video
Holy - The City Harmonic (Official Live Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Released with an official live video on October 16, 2012, The City Harmonic’s “Holy (Wedding Day)” is far more than just another worship track; it is a profound theological statement set to music, a communal cry echoing through history and across generations. At its core, the song grapples with two immense biblical truths: the absolute holiness of God and the future hope of the church as the bride of Christ. It’s a declaration of God’s unique and transcendent nature, acknowledging His perfection and separation from all creation, while simultaneously expressing a deep, eschatological yearning for the day when His people will finally be united with Him, pure and radiant.
The concept of God's holiness is central to Scripture, defining His very being. From the burning bush encounter in Exodus 3 where Moses is told to remove his sandals on holy ground, to the vision in Isaiah 6 where seraphim surround the throne crying "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory," the Bible repeatedly emphasizes God's complete set-apartness and moral purity. This song picks up that ancient refrain, joining the heavenly chorus in proclaiming God's holiness as the fundamental truth about who He is. It's an act of worship that humbles us in His presence while simultaneously elevating our understanding of His majesty.
Intertwined with this awe-filled proclamation is the vivid imagery of the "Wedding Day." This isn't referring to a human ceremony but to the ultimate culmination of God's redemptive plan, specifically the union between Christ and His church. The Apostle Paul speaks in Ephesians 5:25-27 about Christ loving the church and giving himself up for her "to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." This song captures the anticipation of that glorious presentation, the day described in Revelation 19:7-9 as the "Marriage Supper of the Lamb," when the bride (the church) has made herself ready. The song positions believers not just as onlookers but as the beloved, eagerly awaiting this sacred union.
The power of "Holy (Wedding Day)" lies in its ability to hold these two monumental truths in tension: the awesome, untouchable holiness of God and the intimate, promised union of Christ and His people. It acknowledges the present reality of imperfection and longing, much like Romans 8:22-23 speaks of all creation and believers groaning as we await full redemption. Yet, this groaning is not despairing but hopeful, grounded in the certainty of God's promises and the imminent return of Christ. The song becomes an anthem of hope, a reminder that despite our present struggles and the brokenness of the world, our ultimate destiny is secure – a glorious, holy union with a holy God.
Musically and emotionally, the song builds this anticipation. It starts with a reverent acknowledgment of holiness, gradually increasing in intensity and communal feeling as it moves towards the "Wedding Day" theme. The live recording captures a sense of shared belief and collective yearning, drawing the audience into the very heart of the message. It encourages worship that is both deeply personal and wonderfully communal, reflecting the truth that we are the bride of Christ collectively. This song serves as a powerful reminder of the holiness we are called to reflect, the future we are promised, and the One who is worthy of all praise, yesterday, today, and on that coming Wedding Day.