"Holy Forever"
March 10, 2023
2022
5:08
- Jason Ingram
- Brian Johnson
- Jenn Johnson
- Chris Tomlin
- Phil Wickham
Jonathan Smith
Background[edit]
On July 15, 2022, Chris Tomlin announced that he will be releasing a new worship project titled Always on September 9, releasing "Holy Forever" as the first promotional single from the album.[5] "Holy Forever" followed the previously released singles "I See You," "Always," and "Yahweh (No One)."[6] Speaking with Christian magazine Worship Leader, Tomlin described the song as "the anchor" of Always.[7][8]
Reception[edit]
Critical response[edit]
Jonathan Andre in his 365 Days of Inspiring Media review spotlighted the track as one of three songs to listen to on Always, opining that ""Holy Forever' is my favourite song from Chris Tomlin’s Always, as this track becomes my favourite Chris Tomlin ballad, ever since "Jesus" way back in 2016."[10] Timothy Yap of JubileeCast gave a positive review of the album, saying, "Solely focused on God in his glorious splendor surrounded with a soul-stirring chorus, this reminds us of the type of worship mentioned in Revelation 4 and 5."[11] Gerod Bass of Worship Musician magazine wrote a positive review of the song, saying it "touches on the ever faithful theme with its soaring chorus notes and reverent and honest worship."[12]
Commercial performance[edit]
"Holy Forever" debuted at No. 43 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart dated July 30, 2022.[14]
Music videos[edit]
The official lyric video of "Holy Forever" was published via Chris Tomlin's YouTube channel on March 29, 2022.[15] A live performance of the song, featuring Brian and Jenn Johnson, was released on his channel on April 28, 2023, which was recorded during his seventh Good Friday Nashville concert in Bridgestone Arena.[16][17]
Cover versions[edit]
On October 6, 2023, a cover of "Holy Forever" by American singer CeCe Winans was released on YouTube.[18][19]