For the Church: Singing Highland Hymn
"Highland Hymn" is, to date, Dr. Sproul's only hymn written after the music was composed. In listening to Jeff Lippencott's work, Dr. Sproul's imagination was carried away to the Scottish Highlands and the beatific vision from a Scottish perspective. Dr. Sproul explains, "The core theme of this hymn is going to be the beatific vision. When we go back to the Scottish Reformation, they looked ahead to the final glorification that every Christian experiences when we will see Him as He is, which will change us forever."
Rich in scriptural allusion, "Highland Hymn" includes both negative and positive categories to portray the beatific vision. "The end of pain and earthly ills" comprise all sufferings (Romans 8:18), including hunger, thirst, tears (Revelation 7:16-17), death, sorrow, crying, pain (Revelation 21:4), and corruption (1 Corinthians 15:52-54). "When we see Him face to face on that day" (1 Corinthians 13:12; Revelation 22:3-4; 1 John 3:2) addresses the heart of the beatific vision. Dr. Sproul comments, "This is going to be the moment of unspeakable bliss for every believer." The believer's eternal delight is in God Himself. "Heaven is not heaven without Christ" (Jonathan Edwards); "The Lamb is all the glory of Emmanuel's land" (Samuel Rutherford).
"Highland Hymn" also depicts the believer's present state. Though our knowledge of God and enjoyment in Him is limited (1 Corinthians 2:9; 1 John 3:2), we already enjoy a degree of sweet delight in communing with God, "the sense of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, and hope of glory" (Westminster Larger Catechism 83; Romans 5:1-5). "The beatific glory view that now our souls still long to see" (1 Peter 1:8-9). What unspeakable joy awaits all believers who, with hope of glory, long for that day when "lutes will sing, pipers play, when we see Him face to face."
Lyrics
Above the mists of Highland hills
E'en far above the clear blue skies
The end of pain and earthly ills
When we shall see His eyes
Refrain
Lutes will sing
Pipers play
When we see Him face to face
On that day
His face now hidden from our sight
Concealed from ev'ry hidden gaze
In hearts made pure from sinful flight
Is the bliss that will amaze
Refrain
We know not yet what we will be
In heaven's final blessed state
But know we now that we shall see
Our Lord at heaven's gate
The beatific glory view
That now our souls still long to see
Will make us all at once anew
And like Him forever be
Refrain
Experience Glory to the Holy One Today
Note: If you buy the CD from Ligonier.org, we will add the digital edition to your learning library for free.
- Buy the CD ($12)
- Buy the digital album from Ligonier.org, iTunes, Amazon, or Google Play
- Buy sheet music ($2 each)
- Listen to samples of each track
- Listen to or download "The Secret Place"
- Listen in Spotify
- Watch the making of "Highland Hymn"
See also:
- For the Church: Singing Glory to the Holy One
- For the Church: Singing Come, O Lamb of God
- For the Church: Singing Heavy is Our Savior’s Cross
- For the Church: Singing No More the Grave
- For the Church: Singing The Secret Place
- For the Church: Singing Variant on Benedictus
- For the Church: Singing Highland Hymn
- For the Church: Singing Clothed in Righteousness
- For the Church: Singing These Great Things
- For the Church: Singing Come, Thou Savior, Spread Thy Table
- For the Church: Singing Worthy Is the Lamb
- For the Church: Singing Amen
Randall Van Meggelen is chief musician at Saint Andrew's Chapel in Sanford, Fla., and provides direction for the church's various music ministries. He is a graduate of Covenant College and Concordia University.