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"Holy Forever" by Stephanie Staples: When Music Becomes an Offering


(by Jasper Tan) Stephanie Staples has just recently released her own rendition of Chris Tomlin’s recent critically acclaimed worship song “Holy Forever”. For this version, Stephanie transforms this song into a soulful and reverent version of this classic hit. While Tomlin’s version is more grandiose and soaring, Stephanie’s version feels more grounded and meditative. Leaning on her more emotive expression of the song, this version offers an alternative listen to a song that is well loved by this generation of Christian worshippers.

Stephanie Staples - Holy ForeverJust like Tomlin’s original version, "Holy Forever" themes gives focus on eternal worship and the unchanging dominion of Jesus Christ over us. The song gives reverence to the value and the importance of having Jesus in our life. Our continued reverence and submission to him is crucial in our quest to know him more and understand how his presence in our life transforms us to become better Christians. Foremost to this is accepting the fact that Jesus is the only truth. And by bringing praise and worship to him more regularly, we are trained to be able to walk with our Faith in the most sincere way possible.

This version of the song amplifies the original version in such a way that it creates a sacred space of worship for the listener. While not taking away from the original version, which is more grandiose and soaring, bringing forth a sense of worship that is overflowing. Stephanie’s rendition makes the song more personal. Both versions can co-exist in our worship sessions where once lulls us to a more meditative approach, while the other encourages us to a more communal worship experience.

Go ahead and listen. May the message in these lyrics reorient you, and remind you who holds it all together. "Jesus, ... You will always be holy, holy forever."

(Related scripture: Philippians 2:9-10; Revelation 4:8; Revelation 5:13)

Background:

I am a songwriter with lists of songs yet to be tracked and released so it is rare that I will invest in a cover song. It has to be a song that resonates deeply in my soul—like, Higher Ways by Stephen Curtis Chapman, Your Love Broke Through by Keith Green, and You Are My Hiding Place by Michael Ledner. When I heard Holy Forever for the first time it gripped my heart. I knew it was a gift to the Church—exactly the reminder we need. I never tire of hearing it. What better message in a time of deep division and warfare than this?

“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.”

David Wilkerson used to say that, “God does not always solve our problems. He loses them in his vastness.” Songs like Holy Forever are a gift because they point us to the greatness of God’s power—pointing to the source of peace vs focusing on our lack. My favorite songs of praise have always been songs of adoration.

A few months ago when I was inspired to record this song I envisioned more of an organic/artsy sound with the music carefully expressing the same message as the lyrics. I wanted strings to bring texture to the song—especially in the pre-chorus moments where Christ is so beautifully proclaimed as the one who “stands above them all.” Caitlin Anselmo somehow managed to get into my brain and arranged the strings so perfectly in tune with that vision.

I will always love this song. I imagine they are probably singing something similar in the heavenly places. I truly hope you enjoy my version of a song that is sure to stand the test of time. While it is not “mine” I present this as an offering of love.

Release date: April 3, 2026

Connect with Stephanie Staples

Would you like to hear more CCM music? Then check out our Christian playlists on: https://www.christiandance.eu/playlists

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