Holy Forever

Album: Always (2022)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Holy Forever" is a worship song written by Chris Tomlin with Bethel Music's Brian and Jenn Johnson, Jason Ingram, and Phil Wickham. Jenn Johnson does double duty as the female vocalist.
  • The anthem invites us to lift our gaze and immerse ourselves in the awe-inspiring splendor of the King of Kings and ponder the magnificence of God's glory.

    "In heaven, we will join the angels, the saints who have gone before us, and those who are yet to come in the eternal worship of the Lord," Jenn Johnson told New Release Today. "'Holy Forever' reminds us of this future, where we will lift our voices with a thousand generations in unison, praising God. This is an encouraging and inspiring reminder of our ultimate victory with Christ. As we sing these songs on earth, we anticipate when we will sing these songs forever to the Lamb in heaven."
  • The song's inspiration comes from the New Testament Book of Revelation 5:13, which declares, "To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever."

    In this verse, the apostle John describes a scene in heaven where every creature in the universe is praising God and the Lamb. Praising the creatures is a declaration of their adoration and submission to the Almighty. The Lamb is a symbol of Jesus Christ, who was slain to redeem humanity.
  • Chris Tomlin released "Holy Forever" as the first promotional single from Always on September 9, 2022, and as its fourth radio single on March 10, 2023. It captivated worshippers across the globe.

    "Songs are like arrows out of the bow... reaching places far beyond what I would imagine," said Tomlin. "I definitely feel that "Holy Forever' is one of those arrows. It's an honor to be a part of a song like this... that reminds us all of the greater story... the song of heaven! I love hearing how this song is finding its way among gatherings large and small around the world."
  • The song climbed to #1 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart dated October 7, 2023, Tomlin's seventh visit to the summit. It was his first song to top the tally since " Good Good Father" in 2016.
  • "Holy Forever" took 59 weeks to reach the peak position, completing the longest trek to the top in the Hot Christian Songs chart's history. It surpassed Elevation Worship's "Graves Into Gardens," which took 46 weeks to ascend to #1.
  • Bethel Music recorded their own version of "Holy Forever" with Jenn Johnson on lead vocals. Captured live in the heart of the Redwoods of Northern California, it is the second track on their Come Up Here album.

Comments: 1

  • ShaunChris Tomlin did not write this song. He did make this song more popular, but it wasn’t written by him.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Richie McDonald of Lonestar

Richie McDonald of LonestarSongwriter Interviews

Richie talks about the impact of "Amazed," and how his 4-year-old son inspired another Lonestar hit.

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the Song

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the SongSong Writing

How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Butch Vig

Butch VigSongwriter Interviews

The Garbage drummer/songwriter produced the Nirvana album Nevermind, and Smashing Pumpkins' Gish and Siamese Dream.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.