Hymn History Holy, Holy, Holy
In a world filled with false gods, "Holy, Holy,
Holy" exalts the one true God. This joyful hymn celebrates God's eternal
and powerful presence. And it also reminds us of our own destiny, for someday,
we too will sing "around the glassy sea."
Until that day, though, we live in a world of darkness and
shadows. Yet even here, we can catch glimpses of God's holiness and power. We
can see the awesome creation of the Father, experience the redemption of the
Son, and marvel at the way the Holy Spirit works in our lives. God truly is
unique among the gods of our world. He's holy--in every aspect of his triune
identity.
So take time to look for God's holiness. All around us,
God's creation showcases his holiness. And when we truly open our eyes to it,
we can't help but raise our voices with the angels in singing "Holy, Holy,
Holy."
Finally, consider the words of 1 Peter 1:15: "But just
as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do." For in addition
to praising God, "Holy, Holy, Holy" should stir us to live holy
lives. Today, as you go about your daily tasks, take notice of God's holiness.
And then ask yourself this important question: "Can others see God's
holiness in the way I live?"
Reginald Heber wrote "Holy, Holy, Holy" while
serving as vicar of Hodnet, Shropshire, England. He was the first to compile a
hymnal ordering hymns around the church calendar. Wanting to celebrate a triune
God, Heber wrote "Holy, Holy, Holy" for Trinity Sunday--a day that
reaffirmed the doctrine of the Trinity and was observed eight Sundays after
Easter. The hymn was first published in 1826.
Years later, John Dykes composed the tune Nicaea especially
for Heber's "Holy, Holy, Holy."
Text and tune were first published together in 1861. Since
that time, this popular hymn has appeared in hundreds of hymnals and been translated
into many languages.
Heber was impressed by the holiness of God. Whether in
England, with the prevalence of vice, or in Calcutta, where people worshiped
idols, he would often write "Only Thou art holy." Based on the words
of Revelation 4:8, he used the symbolism of three repeatedly throughout his
hymn: God is "holy, merciful and mighty," he's "perfect in
power, in love and purity," he's worshiped by saints, cherubim, and
seraphim, and he's praised "in earth and sky and sea."
Through these consistent units of three, this hymn describes
and worships God in three persons. Alfred Lord Tennyson felt "Holy, Holy,
Holy" was the world's greatest hymn. It truly does call us to worship our
God, falling down before him with those who sing in Revelation 4:8, "Holy,
holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God
Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy! All the saints
adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.
Holy, holy, holy! Though the
darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God
Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
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