Title: Thou Whose Almighty Word
Hymn Number: SS&S 5 (Sacred songs and solo)
1. Thou whose almighty word
Chaos and darkness heard,
And took their flight,
Hear us, we humbly pray ;
And, where the Gospel day
Sheds not its glorious ray,
Let there be light !
2. Thou, who didst come to bring.
On Thy redeeming wing,
Healing and sight
Health to the sick in mind,
Sight to the in ly blind
Oh, now to all mankind
Let there be light !
3. Spirit of truth and love,
Life-giving, holy Dove,
Speed forth Thy flight !
Move on the waters’ face
By Thine almighty grace,
And in earth’s darkest place
Let there be light !
4. Blessed and holy Three,
Glorious Trinity,
Wisdom, love,might ;
Boundless as ocean’s tid
Rolling in fullest pride,
O’er the world far and wide,
Let there be light !
About the hymn
The hymn “Thou Whose Almighty Word,” often found in collections such as Sacred Songs and Solos, is a powerful invocation of God’s creative and redemptive power. Written by John Marriott in 1813, the hymn is a prayer for light to shine in a world of darkness, calling upon the Trinity—God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. It blends themes of creation, salvation, and mission, invoking God’s help in spreading the light of truth and the gospel to all corners of the earth.
Verse 1: God the Creator and the Power of His Word
The first verse opens with an address to God as the One whose “almighty word” brought light out of darkness, directly referencing the biblical account of creation in Genesis 1. It recalls the moment when God spoke, “Let there be light,” and by the power of His word, light was created, dispelling the formless chaos. This sets the tone for the hymn, recognizing the absolute authority and creative power of God’s word.
The hymn asks God to once again bring light to a world in spiritual darkness, just as He did in the beginning of creation. The phrase “chaos and darkness heard” emphasizes that even the most disordered and dark places must respond to God’s command. This is both a literal reflection on the act of creation and a spiritual plea for God to illuminate hearts and minds that are lost in the darkness of sin, ignorance, and confusion.
Verse 2: The Mission of Christ the Word Incarnate
In the second verse, the focus shifts from God the Father to Jesus Christ, who is described as “Thou who didst come to bring on Thy redeeming wing healing and sight.” This refers to Jesus as the Light of the World (John 8:12) and the fulfillment of God’s promise of redemption. Christ’s mission was to bring healing to the broken, sight to the blind, and freedom to those in bondage. The verse acknowledges that through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus brought salvation to humanity, breaking the chains of sin and offering spiritual renewal.
The mention of Christ’s “redeeming wing” evokes imagery of protection and shelter, reminiscent of Old Testament passages such as Psalm 91:4, where God’s people find refuge under His wings. This imagery is powerful, symbolizing both Christ’s role as Redeemer and His gentle care for those He saves.
The verse continues to pray for God’s power to be unleashed again, asking for Christ’s light to shine in “heathen gloom,” a plea for the spread of the gospel to those who have not yet received the message of salvation. This reflects the missionary zeal of the hymn, an earnest desire for Christ’s light to reach the darkest corners of the world and bring the knowledge of God to all peoples.
Verse 3: The Holy Spirit’s Power to Guide and Enlighten
The third verse calls upon the Holy Spirit, addressed as the “Blessed and Holy Three” (part of the Trinity) to bring life and order where there is confusion and darkness. The Spirit’s role as a guide, teacher, and enlightener is emphasized here. The phrase “spirit of truth and love” is a reference to the descriptions of the Holy Spirit found in the New Testament, particularly in John 16:13, where Jesus promises that the Spirit will lead believers into all truth.
The hymn calls on the Holy Spirit to blow upon “life-giving holy dove” (another symbol for the Spirit) over the “water’s face,” an allusion to Genesis 1:2 where the Spirit of God hovered over the waters before creation. This highlights the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in bringing new life, transformation, and divine order. The prayer is for the Spirit to continue this work in the hearts of people and in the world, creating new life where there is spiritual deadness.
The final line of this verse asks the Spirit to bear the message of truth and love to the farthest reaches of the earth, so that all may come to know God’s grace. This reinforces the hymn’s missionary theme, as it asks for the Spirit to be the driving force behind the spreading of the gospel.
Verse 4: The Call for Universal Praise and Light
The final verse is a triumphant call for God’s light to shine universally. It envisions a time when the whole earth is “full of Thy glory,” echoing passages like Isaiah 6:3, where the prophet sees the earth filled with the glory of God. The hymn envisions a world where God’s light has fully penetrated the darkness, where every nation, tribe, and person has come to know and worship Him.
The phrase “Let there be light” is repeated as a refrain throughout the hymn, recalling God’s original act of creation and linking it to the spiritual re-creation that comes through Christ. It’s a prayer for the continued advance of God’s kingdom, a vision of the world transformed by the gospel.
This final verse also emphasizes unity in worship, with the hope that all people will come together to praise God. This is a hopeful and visionary conclusion, calling for an end to division and darkness, and the establishment of God’s light everywhere.
Overall Message and Significance
“Thou Whose Almighty Word” is a hymn rich with theological meaning and biblical imagery, centering on the themes of creation, redemption, and the spread of the gospel. It begins with a reflection on God’s act of creation, where He brought light out of darkness by the power of His word, and it moves through Christ’s redemptive mission and the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing spiritual light to humanity.
The hymn’s structure follows a Trinitarian pattern, addressing the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each with their distinct roles in salvation history. It is both a prayer and a declaration of God’s sovereignty over creation and His ability to bring light and life where there is darkness and death.
Mission and evangelism are key themes of this hymn. It reflects a deep concern for those who have not yet experienced the light of Christ and expresses a longing for the gospel to spread to every corner of the earth. It invites worshippers to join in this mission, asking for God’s help in bringing about a world where His glory is fully known.
The repeated refrain of “Let there be light” serves as both a reminder of God’s creative power and a prayer for His continued action in the world. The hymn, with its powerful blend of praise and petition, encourages believers to trust in God’s ability to bring transformation and to participate in the mission of spreading the light of the gospel.