Lyrics - Oh, What High and Holy Privilege

[Verse 1]

Oh, what high and holy priv’lege

Once again to gather here

In the name of our Lord Jesus

As we see His Day draw near

May we join in joyful rev’rence

With thanksgiving, faith and love

As He welcomes in His people

To the throne of grace above

[Verse 2]

Oh, what high and holy priv’lege

Voices raised in prayer and praise

Boldly bringing great petitions

Gladly singing hymns of faith

May His grace at work among us

Cleanse and heal us from our sin

That our prayers may not be hindered

And our praises honor Him

[Verse 3]

Oh, what high and holy priv’lege

Hearing from the word of God

Heaven speaks in perfect wisdom

Earth responds and stands in awe

Do our hearts not burn within us

As we see God’s promises

Find their final yes in Jesus

Leading us to righteousness!

[Verse 4]

Oh, what high and holy priv’lege

This communion that we share

With the Father, Son, and Spirit

And His people everywhere

As we go with God’s great blessing

In the keeping of His grace

Go in peace to love and service

Till we join again in praise

[Refrain]

As we go with God’s great blessing

In the keeping of His grace

Go in peace to love and service

Till we join again in praise

Till we join again in praise

Words and Music by Matt Boswell, Bryan Fowler, Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Matt Papa

Bible Memory Verse

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

Story Behind the Song

This hymn began in the mind and heart of Pastor/hymn writer Matt Boswell. As a pastor of a local church in his home state of Texas, it is part of his job each week to gather and lead God's people together to sing and pray to the Lord and to study His Word. Each verse of this new hymn was written to look at a different aspect of gathered worship time.

Matt was struck by what a holy privilege it is that we get to gather like this at all. He wanted to write a hymn that describes that privilege and to emphasize that it is something holy, special, greater than any other privilege we have.

He brought the melody and concept to a writing session with Matt Papa, Bryan Fowler and Kristyn and they worked on it together over a number of months. It was first recorded in the summer of 2025.

Something to Think About

This past summer we brought our daughters to see the old city of Rome. One special place we visited was Paul's prison. It was a dark, underground stone cell. They have placed a metal staircase there now so you can climb down inside.

Paul wrote several of his New Testament letters when he was under house arrest in Rome. He also wrote from this lonely prison. He wrote of his love for the churches and his longing to see them again. He knew he didn't have much time left. His words, inspired by the Holy Spirit, were urgent and spoke directly to the heart of what it meant to know and follow the Lord together. In Colossians 3 he wrote:

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

In his solitude and suffering Paul urges the local churches to keep singing and praying God's Word to each other. It was so important. We need each other. We trust in the same Savior. We walk the road of faith together. There is no greater privilege than to be welcomed in together before the Lord.

Next time you are in church take a moment to look around at all the people and thank the Lord for the gift of being part of His people. Pray for Christians in the world who don't have this freedom to meet openly. And sing out to encourage them all.

Prayer

Father in heaven,

We thank you for the special times we have together as your church. Thank you for songs to sing, prayers to pray, Your word to hear. Grow us closer to you and to each other that we might honor you with our words and with our lives.

In Jesus name,
Amen

Teach your children to sing along with all creation! Click here to learn more about Kristyn Getty’s new book, “Pippa and the Singing Tree.”

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