Holy Forever

This is a worship song, praising God's holiness and transcendence.  The words echo ideas in the traditional hymn, Holy, Holy, Holy.

It was written by  American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, and worship leader Chris Tomlin (b 1972), with Brian Johnson, Jason Ingram, Jenn Johnson and Phil Wickham.

The song was first released in 2022, and rights are owned by Brian and Jenn Publishing, Capitol CMG Paragon, S. D. G. Publishing and Bethel Music Publishing.

With irregular meter, it is set to an unnamed tune, also by Tomlin et al. This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of Db, the first few notes of the melody are D FFFF EEED_  BBBB AAA F_

The tune has a large vocal range, and some complicated timing:  it remains to be seen if it will be adopted by congregations, or is only suitable for strong musicians.

Image © www.GodSongs.net - used by permission

Downloads

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Downloadable - full piano and guitar

Downloadable lead-sheet

Examples

Official lyric video (singer with band, words on-screen)

Chris Tomlin at a live large-scale worship event

Singer with piano-led band, acoustic-style professional recording

Singer with piano-led band/backing

Singer with band, professional recording

Singer with harp

Trio with electric guitar

Singer with band, professional recording

Worship pastor with band and choir

Instrumental - violin and electric guitar with backing

Instrumental - piano, words on-screen

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:

1. A thousand generations falling down in worship, ...

Pre-Chorus
Your name is the highest,  Your name is the greatest,
Your name stands above them all.
All thrones and dominions,
All powers and positions,
Your name stands above them all.

Chorus 1
And the angels cry, Holy,
All creation cries, Holy,
You are lifted high, Holy, Holy forever.

2. If you've been forgiven and if you've been redeemed ...

Chorus 2
Hear Your people sing, Holy,
To the King of Kings, Holy,
You will always be Holy, Holy forever.

See more ...

• Hymns about holiness
• Worship songs

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY 1. A thousand generations falling down in worship,
To sing the song of ages to the Lamb.
And all who've gone before us,
And all who will believe,
Will sing the song of ages to the Lamb.

Pre-Chorus
(Jesus) Your name is the highest,
Your name is the greatest,
Your name stands above them all.
All thrones and dominions,
All powers and positions,
Your name stands above them all.

Chorus 1
And the angels cry, Holy,
All creation cries, Holy,
You are lifted high, Holy,
Holy forever.

2. If you've been forgiven and if you've been redeemed,
Sing the song forever to the Lamb:
If you walk in freedom and if you bear His name,
Sing the song forever to the Lamb,
We'll sing the song forever and amen.

Chorus 2
Hear Your people sing, Holy,
To the King of Kings, Holy,
You will always be Holy,
Holy forever.