Title: Holy, Holy, Holy ! Lord God Almighty
Hymn Number: SS&S 22 (Sacred songs and solo)
1 Holy, Holy, Holy ! Lord God Almighty !
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee ;
Holy, Holy, Holy ! Merciful andMighty !
God in Three Persons,blessed Trinity !
2 Holy, Holy, Holy ! all the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea ;
Cherubim and Seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert, and art, and evermore shall be.
3 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 power, in love, and purity.
4 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!
About The Hymn
The hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty”, numbered 22 in Sacred Songs and Solos, is a majestic and reverent song of worship written by Reginald Heber in 1826. Inspired by Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 4:8, this hymn is a profound declaration of God’s holiness, sovereignty, and eternal glory. With its rich theological depth and poetic beauty, it calls all creation to bow in awe before the triune God. Each of the four verses focuses on an aspect of God’s nature and the worship due to Him.
Verse 1: A Call to Morning Worship
“Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee.”
The first verse opens with a powerful declaration of God’s holiness, echoing the angelic hymn in Isaiah 6 and Revelation 4. The repetition of “holy” emphasizes God’s absolute purity, transcendence, and separateness from all creation.
The line “Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee” reflects the worshipper’s desire to begin the day by offering praise to God. It suggests that worship should be a priority, acknowledging God’s majesty at the start of each new day. The verse ends with a reverent affirmation:
“Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!”
This line highlights two key attributes of God: His mercy and His might. It also celebrates the mystery of the Trinity, acknowledging the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three Persons in one God.
Verse 2: Worship by Heavenly Beings
“Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea.”
The second verse draws from the imagery in Revelation 4, where the saints and elders in heaven worship God. The act of casting down their crowns symbolizes humility, submission, and the recognition that all honor and authority belong to God alone.
The verse continues:
“Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.”
This line depicts angelic beings (cherubim and seraphim) bowing in worship before God. Their posture reflects their awe and reverence for His eternal nature. The phrase “which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be” declares God’s timeless existence, affirming that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Verse 3: The Mystery of God’s Holiness
“Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee, though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see.”
The third verse acknowledges the mystery of God’s holiness, which is beyond human comprehension. Sinful humanity cannot fully behold God’s glory because of His unapproachable light and absolute purity.
It continues:
“Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee, perfect in power, in love, and purity.”
This line underscores God’s uniqueness and perfection, emphasizing that He alone is holy, without rival or equal. His holiness is not only marked by power but also by love and purity, making Him worthy of all worship and adoration.
Verse 4: Eternal Praise to the Triune God
“Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy name, in earth, and sky, and sea.”
The final verse celebrates the universal worship of God. It envisions all creation—everything in earth, sky, and sea—joining in praise to the Creator. This reflects the biblical theme that all of nature testifies to God’s glory (Psalm 19:1, Romans 1:20).
The hymn concludes with the triumphant refrain:
“Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!”
This repetition of the first verse’s final lines reinforces the central theme of God’s holiness and the worship of the triune God. It invites all who sing the hymn to participate in the eternal praise offered by saints and angels in heaven.
Overall Message and Significance
“Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty” is a hymn of profound adoration and reverence, exalting God’s holiness, mercy, power, and triune nature. Each verse builds on the themes of God’s glory and the worship He receives from all creation, from heavenly beings to the natural world.
The hymn emphasizes God’s transcendence, eternal nature, and moral perfection, inviting worshippers to approach Him with awe and humility. At the same time, it celebrates His mercy and love, making Him both majestic and accessible. The repeated refrain serves as a reminder of God’s incomparable holiness and the mystery of the Trinity, which is central to Christian faith.
Through its timeless melody and rich theological truths, “Holy, Holy, Holy!” continues to inspire worshippers to join in the eternal song of praise, lifting their voices to glorify the Lord God Almighty.