DOCTRINES >> ETERNAL LIFE
SDAH 425
There is singing up in heaven
such as we have never known,
Where the angels sing the praises
of the Lamb upon the throne;
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For Worship Leaders
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Hymn Spotlight: Holy, Holy, Is What the Angels Sing
Johnson Oatman, Jr. reminds us that while angels sing praises to God’s holiness, only the redeemed can sing of salvation’s joy. The angels have never known the wonder of being rescued from sin, but we, who have been bought by the blood of Christ, have a song they cannot sing. Paired with John R. Sweney’s warm gospel melody, this hymn celebrates the unique testimony of the ransomed—an eternal anthem of gratitude and praise.
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Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
In these words Johnson Oatman, Jr. (1856-1922; see SDAH 302),underlines a contrast between the redeemed saints of earth and the angels, in that the latter cannot experience the thrill of redemption.
Oatman also wrote SDAH 302, “Deeper Yet,” and SDAH 625, “Higher Ground.”
The tune, unnamed, was composed by John Robson Sweney (1837-1899), and is a gospel song that the committee brought back from Gospel in Song, 1926. It was copyrighted by the composer in 1897.
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
1
There is singing up in heaven
such as we have never known,
Where the angels sing the praises
of the Lamb upon the throne;
Their sweet harps are ever tuneful
and their voices are always clear,
O that we might be more like them
while we serve the Master here!
Refrain
Holy, holy, is what the angels sing,
And I expect to help them make
the courts of heaven ring;
But when I sing redemption’s story,
they will fold their wings,
For angels never felt the joys
that our salvation brings.
2
But I hear another anthem,
blending voices clear and strong,
“Unto Him who hath redeemed us
and hath bought us,” is the song;
We have come thro’ tribulations
to this land so fair and bright,
In the fountain freely flowing
He hath made our garments white.
3
Then the angels stand and listen,
for they cannot join that song,
Like the sound of many waters,
by that happy, blood-washed throng;
For they sing about great trials,
battles fought and vict’ries won,
And they praised the great Redeemer,
who hath said to them, “Well done.”
4
So, although I’m not an angel,
yet I know that over there
I will join a blessed chorus
that the angels cannot share;
I will sing about my Savior,
who upon dark Calvary
Freely pardoned my transgressions,
died to set the sinner free.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Rev 5:11, 12 (b) Rev 5:9, 7:14, 19:8 (c) Matt 25:21 (d) Jer 33:8 (r) Isa 6:3
Author
Johnson Oatman, Jr. (1856-1922)
Year Published
1894
Metrical Number
8.7.8.7.D.Ref.
Composer
John R. Sweney (1837-1899)
