I’m a big fan of the Gettys and I believe they are among the best Christian songwriters of the modern era. Their robust theology spills out of every line of their music. So it should be no surprise that I am excited to review their song There Is a Higher Throne from their album titled In Christ Alone. However, I do much prefer the live version of this song from when they performed it at the Getty Music Conference a few years back.
Click here for a lyric video of this song made specifically for Logos Church where I serve as senior pastor!
Let’s look at each section individually.
Verse 1
There is a higher throne Than all this world has known
This reflects the biblical truth that God’s sovereignty surpasses all earthly powers. Similar sentiments are expressed in Psalm 103:19.
- Psalm 103:19 – The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
Where faithful ones from ev’ry tongue Will one day come
This is consistent with Revelation 7:9-10, which describes a multitude from every nation and language before God’s throne.
- Revelation 7:9-10 – After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Before the Son we’ll stand, Made faultless through the Lamb
This line mirrors the New Testament teaching on justification and redemption through Christ, as seen in Jude 1:24.
- Jude 1:24 – Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy.
Believing hearts find promised grace— Salvation comes:
Ephesians 2:8-9 explains that it is by grace through faith that we are saved, not by works.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 – For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Refrain
Hear heaven’s voices sing; Their thund’rous anthem rings
This imagery of heavenly worship can be likened to Revelation 5:11-12, where countless angels sing praises around God’s throne.
- Revelation 5:11-12 – Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
Through em’rald courts and sapphire skies their praises rise
Although not directly quoted from scripture, this poetic imagery aligns with the descriptions of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:19-21, where the city is described with precious stones and an awe-inspiring appearance.
- Revelation 21:19-21 – The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
All glory, wisdom, pow’r, Strength, thanks, and honor are To God our King, who reigns on high Forevermore
This doxology echoes many biblical passages such as Revelation 4:11 and 1 Timothy 1:17, attributing glory, honor, and power to God.
- Revelation 4:11 – Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.
- 1 Timothy 1:17 – To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Verse 2
And there we’ll find our home, Our life before the throne
This reflects Jesus’ promise in John 14:2-3 about preparing a place for us in His Father’s house.
- John 14:2-3 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
We’ll honor Him in perfect song Where we belong
The concept of eternal worship is found throughout Revelation (e.g., Revelation 19:1).
- Revelation 19:1 – After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”
He’ll wipe each tear-stained eye As thirst and hunger die
Directly correlates with Revelation 21:4, which promises the end of tears, death, mourning, crying, and pain.
- Revelation 21:4 – He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
The Lamb becomes our Shepherd King; We’ll reign with Him
Combines imagery from Revelation 7:17 and Revelation 22:5, which mentions the saints reigning forever.
- Revelation 7:17 – For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
- Revelation 22:5 – And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Conclusion
This song is a fabulous proclamation of God’s glory, magnificence, royalty, and grace. This song leans heavily on biblical truths and does not deviate into any sort of unbiblical conjecture. The Gettys have crafted quite a masterpiece here and I am happy to include this in the worship services at Logos Church where I serve as senior pastor.
