Words of Worship: Holiness

holiness (noun) - the quality or state of being spiritually pure or virtuous

Synonyms: blessedness, devoutness, godliness, piety

Antonyms: godlessness, impiety, ungodliness, unholiness

God is the absolute bottom line in holiness. As His children, we are called to a level of holiness ourselves that's not possible to achieve without His grace. We will consistently make mistakes, but when we ask for God's forgiveness and repent, He wipes our records clean. God's very nature, though, is that of complete purity and holiness. He shines so bright on His throne that He's literally blinding. The angels, the warriors of Heaven who are in all actuality probably very terrifying to witness in action, sing His praises day and night. We as humans can never achieve that level of holiness, but the bits that we can help set us apart as children of God.

This week's post includes seven songs that discuss holiness along with Scripture references that inspired them and that I was led to with each entry. All Scripture passages are from the New Living Translation of the Holy Bible.

Holy, Holy, Holy by Anthem Lights (written by R. Heber, J. Dykes, K. Jones, S. Barnard)

Featured on Anthem Lights's 2018 album Hymns, Vol. II, this is one of the earliest hymns I remember learning back when I was a preschooler. How powerful and pure the Lord is that these mighty beings serve Him unwaveringly and sing His praises day and night. What an amazing sight that will be to see one day.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty/Early in the morning, our song shall rise to Thee/Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty/God in three persons, blessed Trinity/Holy, holy, holy, all the saints adore Thee/Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea/Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee/Which were and are and evermore shall be

Isaiah 6:1-3 It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”

Beauty by Bethel Music & David Funk (written by E. Abioye, B. Strand, D. Funk)

Featured on Bethel's 2023 album Come Up Here with vocals from worship leader David Funk, this beautiful worship song sings of the beauty of God's holiness. His radiance is such that it would be near impossible to view with our human eyes. However, our relationship with Christ allows us to bask in that holiness for eternity, and what an incredible gift that is.

Behold the One, the radiance/The splendor of every living thing/You are the Word, You are the life/You are the face of God/Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh/You’re beautiful/Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh/You’re beautiful

Psalm 27:4 The one thing I ask of the Lord - the thing I seek most - is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.

Surrounded By Holy by Bethel Music & Zahriya Zachary (written by Z. Zachary, S. Matta, D. Smith)

Also featured on Come Up Here, this time with vocals from worship leader Zahriya Zachary, this beautiful song imagines the feeling of basking in the presence of God's holiness. We can experience glimpses of this when we spend time with Him and meditate on His word, and it feels amazing. Just picture how much more intense it will be when we enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Take me into Your secret place/Where I’m constantly amazed/Where the saints and angels bow before You/There’s nothing like Your presence/It’s just a glimpse of Heaven there/Where the elders throw their crowns before You/Holy, surrounded by holy/There’s no one more holy/I’m in wonder and awe/In wonder and awe

II Samuel 2:2 No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one besides You; there is no Rock like our God.

I Surrender All by Carrie Underwood (written by W. Weeden, J. Van DeVenter)

Featured on Underwood's 2021 album My Savior, this cover of a classic hymn freely declares surrender to the holiness of the Lord. We can put all of our hope and trust in Him because He is goodness incarnate. This surrender isn't one of defeat, but of devotion.

All to Jesus, I surrender/All to Him, I freely give/I will ever love and trust Him/In His presence daily live/I surrender all/I surrender all/All to Thee, my blessed Savior/I surrender all

Psalm 43:4 There I will go to the altar of God, to God - the source of all my joy. I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God!

Song For His Presence (Live) by Hillsong Worship ft. Aodhán King & Saye Pratt (written by A. King, B. Tan, M. Wagner, K. Savage)

Featured on Hillsong's 2021 live album These Same Skies with vocals from worship leaders Aodhán King and Saye Pratt, this is another song that joyfully declares the glory and holiness of God's presence. His essence is joy and peace all wrapped into one. How could we not want more once we've had a taste of it?

I’ve heard of wonders, ancient mysteries/The things of Heaven my eyes have never seen/I wanna know it/Would You make it real for me/‘Cause I’ve read the stories, faith and I believe/You’re still restoring, redeeming everything/Here in this moment/May Your will be done in me/‘Cause I will run like a child to their mother/To the safety of the Father, to the place where I belong/And Lord, Your love, could I ever understand it/There’s just something ‘bout Your presence that leaves me wanting more

Revelation 4:8 Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty - the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”

Glory & Wonder (Live) by Mosaic MSC (written by C. Franz, K. Waters, M. McManus)

Featured on Mosaic's 2016 live album Glory & Wonder with vocals from worship leader Mariah McManus, the chorus of this song hits this week's theme right on the head. As Christ followers, everything that the Lord is is what we should want for ourselves with the deepest desires of our hearts. He is majestic, loving, powerful, and, of course, holy.

Jesus, Light of Heaven, lover of the lost/Jesus, perfect love, You meet us where we are/You came to us to show the love of God/You came to us no matter what the cost/Jesus, Light of Heaven, lead us to Your heart/Jesus, greatest love, You take us as we are/You come to us when all our strength is gone/You come to us, with You, we overcome/Take this heart and show it how to beat/All You are is who I wanna be/I give You my love completely

II Corinthians 7:1 Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.

All Eyes On You by TAYA (written by T. Gakrodger, M. Wong, M. Crocker, W. Rimington)

Featured on Taya's 2022 self-titled album, this sweet song encourages us to keep our eyes on the Holy One. He's so perfect and beautiful, it should be impossible for us to look away from Him. What a blessing that someone like Him loves us so much.

Blessed, Son of God/You’re with me in this place/Seated so far above/Yet with me in this place/You are holy, so holy/What more can I say/You are holy, so holy/I can’t look away/I can’t look away

Hebrews 3:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger and High Priest.

I hope this list of songs has blessed you and reminded you of our Savior's holiness. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!