“One of the hymn’s most memorable lines, “Just one glimpse of Him in glory will the toils of life repay,” captures its central message: earthly suffering is temporary, but the joy of seeing Christ face to face is eternal. This forward-looking hope has made the hymn especially meaningful in times of hardship, funerals, and worship services focused on heaven and Christ’s return.”
The hymn “When We All Get to Heaven” is a joyful Christian song about the hope believers have in eternal life with Jesus Christ. It reminds Christians that no matter how difficult life can be, there is a future day coming when God’s people will be with Him forever. The hymn encourages believers to keep trusting Christ and looking forward to heaven with joy.
The words to the hymn were written by Eliza E. Hewitt, who lived from 1851 to 1920. Eliza Hewitt worked as a schoolteacher in Philadelphia. She loved teaching and caring for children, but her life changed when she suffered a serious spinal injury. Because of this injury, she was forced to stop teaching and spent a long time confined to her bed. This season of pain and weakness was very difficult, but it also became a time when her faith grew stronger.
While she was recovering, Hewitt spent many hours reading the Bible, praying, and writing poetry. She began turning her poems into hymn lyrics that focused on God’s promises, comfort, and the hope of heaven. Many of her hymns were shaped by her personal suffering and her deep trust in Christ. “When We All Get to Heaven,” written in 1898, reflects her strong belief that the troubles of this life are temporary and that eternal joy awaits believers.
The music for the hymn was written by Emily D. Wilson, a well-known gospel music composer. Wilson wrote melodies that were simple, joyful, and easy for congregations to sing together. Her upbeat tune perfectly matches the hopeful message of the lyrics. The repeated chorus helps worshipers remember the central truth of the hymn: heaven will be a day of great joy for all who belong to Christ.
The hymn is based on important Bible teachings about heaven. Verses like John 14:1–3, where Jesus promises to prepare a place for His followers, and Revelation 21:4, which says that God will wipe away every tear, are reflected throughout the song. One of the most well-known lines says, “Just one glimpse of Him in glory will the toils of life repay.” This means that seeing Jesus face to face will make every hardship in life worth it.
Over time, “When We All Get to Heaven” has become a favorite hymn in churches around the world. It is often sung during worship services, funerals, and times when believers need encouragement. The hymn reminds Christians to live faithfully, follow Jesus, and look forward with joy to the day when they will be with Him forever.
Is this hymn new to you? You can listen to it HERE