The words of Chris Tomlin’s Holy Forever invite us to join the worship of heaven and the faithful voices of those who have gone before us. Across generations, people bow in reverence, while angels continually cry “Holy,” bearing witness to a holiness that does not fade or change. Woven together with the historic hymn Nicaea (“Holy, Holy, Holy”), this music turns our attention away from ourselves and back toward God, whose holiness remains, even when our worship is incomplete.

The piece moves from complexity to simplicity, from rhythmic drive to chorale, uniting styles in a grand and hopeful conclusion that offers praise to God who is holy now and holy forever.

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

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

And the angels cry holy
All creation cries holy
You are lifted high, holy
Holy forever