8 Worship Songs About The Holiness Of God (Inviting Awe And Wonder)

In a culture that often emphasizes God as “friend” and “father,” we sometimes lose sight of His holiness.
Yet, the seraphim around the throne don’t cry “Love, love, love” or “Grace, grace, grace.” They cry, “Holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3).

Songs about holiness do something unique to a room: they lower the posture of the people and raise the view of God. They remind us that He is set apart, transcendent, and worthy of a reverence that goes beyond casual singing. These moments are essential for a healthy worship diet.

Why These Songs Work

These songs are specifically chosen because:

  • They are vertical. They are not about us, our needs, or our feelings; they are 100% about who God is.
  • They evoke awe. The melodies and arrangements are designed to create a sense of spaciousness and wonder.
  • They are scriptural. Many of lyrics are pulled directly from Revelation 4 and Isaiah 6.

8 Songs To Declare God’s Holiness

  1. Holy Forever – This has become the defining anthem of holiness for this generation. It connects the eternal worship of heaven with the worship of the church on earth right now.
  2. Revelation Song – A modern classic that brings the imagery of the throne room to life. The chorus is simple, repetitive in the best way, and allows the congregation to close their eyes and sing from the heart.
  3. Agnus Dei – “Holy, Holy, are You Lord God Almighty.” This song is less about verses and choruses and more about creating a sustained moment of adoration.
  4. Only A Holy God – This song does a brilliant job of contrasting God’s approachable nature with His terrifying holiness. “Who else commands all the hosts of heaven… Only a Holy God.”
  5. Is He Worthy – A call-and-response masterpiece that engages the congregation in a liturgical way. It builds a case for Christ’s worthiness that feels logical, theological, and emotional all at once.
  6. What A Beautiful Name – While often seen as a general praise song, the bridge “You have no rival, You have no equal” is a powerful declaration of God’s set-apart nature (holiness).
  7. Hymn Of Heaven – This song looks forward to the day we join the “Holy, Holy, Holy” of the angels. It’s a great way to anchor a holiness set in the hope of eternity.
  8. How Great Thou Art – The ultimate hymn of awe. When we see God’s holiness in creation and redemption, our souls naturally sing “How great Thou art.”

Example Holiness Setlists

Setlist 1 (Throne Room Worship)

  1. Holy Forever – Establishes a strong, vertical focus right from the start.
  2. Revelation Song – Deepens the moment, allowing the room to linger on the imagery of the throne.
  3. Agnus Dei – A simple, powerful landing spot for pure adoration.

Setlist 2 (The Unrivaled King)

  1. Only A Holy God – Highlights the unique nature of God compared to false idols.
  2. Is He Worthy – Engages the room with questions and answers about Christ’s authority.
  3. What A Beautiful Name – Ends with a high-energy declaration of Jesus’ name above all names.

How To Use These Songs In Your Church

  • Context is key. These songs work best when you have created a bit of space. They might feel rushed as a service opener; try placing them second or third in the set.
  • Use scripture. Before singing Revelation Song or Holy Forever, read Revelation 4:8. It grounds the emotions of the song in biblical reality.
  • Lead by example. Holiness songs require the worship leader to be worshipping, not just performing. Your posture on stage will give the congregation permission to enter in.

Next Steps

Take a look at your setlist for this week. Do you have a moment where the focus is entirely on God’s character, or is it mostly about our experience? Consider swapping in a song like Holy Forever to re-center the room on His holiness.

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