Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty
Verse 1
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!
Verse 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, Who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.
Verse 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!,
Verse 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! Amen.
Background: Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty
The hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty" is one of Christianity's most cherished and majestic expressions of praise. Its history is a beautiful convergence of poetic talent and musical genius, deeply rooted in biblical theology.
Here's its story, arranged for easy reading:
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The Enduring Story of "Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty" **1. The Words: Reginald Heber (Written 1826, Published 1827)** * **The Author:** The powerful and reverent lyrics were penned by **Reginald Heber** (1783-1826), an Anglican bishop, poet, and gifted hymn writer. * **The Purpose:** Heber wrote this hymn specifically for **Trinity Sunday** (the Sunday after Pentecost). He had a vision for providing hymns that aligned with the different Sundays and holy days of the church calendar, enriching congregational worship. * **The Inspiration:** He drew inspiration directly from the biblical vision in **Revelation 4:8**, where the four living creatures around God's throne cry out: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." He also drew from **Isaiah 6:3**, where seraphim declare: "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." * **Publication:** Heber tragically died in India shortly after compiling his collection of hymns. "Holy, Holy, Holy" was included in his posthumously published work, *Hymns Written and Adapted to the Weekly Service of the Church Year* (1827). **2. The Melody: John Bacchus Dykes (Composed 1861)** * **The Composer:** While Heber gave us the words, the iconic and majestic tune we associate with the hymn today came much later from **John Bacchus Dykes** (1823-1876), a prominent English organist and clergyman. * **The Tune Name: "Nicaea":** Dykes composed the melody in **1861** and named it "Nicaea." This name is highly significant; it refers to the **First Council of Nicaea (325 AD)**, a pivotal early church council that affirmed the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, perfectly complementing Heber's original intent for the hymn. * **The Perfect Pairing:** The stately, soaring quality of Dykes's music perfectly complements Heber's reverent and awe-filled lyrics, creating a truly unified and powerful expression of praise for the Triune God. **3. Biblical & Theological Roots** * **The "Holy, Holy, Holy":** The three-fold repetition of "Holy" directly reflects the scriptural texts mentioned above (Revelation 4:8, Isaiah 6:3) and is widely interpreted as an affirmation of the **Holy Trinity** – God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. * **Attributes of God:** The hymn beautifully describes various attributes of God: Almighty, merciful, powerful, loving, and eternal. **4. Enduring Legacy** * **Global Popularity:** From its initial publication with Dykes's tune, "Holy, Holy, Holy!" quickly gained widespread popularity across denominations worldwide. * **Timeless Appeal:** Its profound theological depth, combined with its memorable and uplifting music, ensures its place as a staple in hymnals and worship services. * **Versatile Use:** It is often sung at the beginning of services as a call to worship, during moments of profound adoration, or as an opening hymn for celebrations of God's majesty and holiness. --- **In Summary:** * **Words:** Reginald Heber (1826), inspired by Revelation 4:8 and Isaiah 6:3, written for Trinity Sunday. * **Melody:** John Bacchus Dykes (1861), tune named "Nicaea" in honor of the Council of Nicaea and its affirmation of the Trinity. * **Impact:** A timeless hymn celebrating the majesty and Triune nature of God, cherished by Christians around the globe.
The Enduring Story of "Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty" **1. The Words: Reginald Heber (Written 1826, Published 1827)** * **The Author:** The powerful and reverent lyrics were penned by **Reginald Heber** (1783-1826), an Anglican bishop, poet, and gifted hymn writer. * **The Purpose:** Heber wrote this hymn specifically for **Trinity Sunday** (the Sunday after Pentecost). He had a vision for providing hymns that aligned with the different Sundays and holy days of the church calendar, enriching congregational worship. * **The Inspiration:** He drew inspiration directly from the biblical vision in **Revelation 4:8**, where the four living creatures around God's throne cry out: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." He also drew from **Isaiah 6:3**, where seraphim declare: "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." * **Publication:** Heber tragically died in India shortly after compiling his collection of hymns. "Holy, Holy, Holy" was included in his posthumously published work, *Hymns Written and Adapted to the Weekly Service of the Church Year* (1827). **2. The Melody: John Bacchus Dykes (Composed 1861)** * **The Composer:** While Heber gave us the words, the iconic and majestic tune we associate with the hymn today came much later from **John Bacchus Dykes** (1823-1876), a prominent English organist and clergyman. * **The Tune Name: "Nicaea":** Dykes composed the melody in **1861** and named it "Nicaea." This name is highly significant; it refers to the **First Council of Nicaea (325 AD)**, a pivotal early church council that affirmed the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, perfectly complementing Heber's original intent for the hymn. * **The Perfect Pairing:** The stately, soaring quality of Dykes's music perfectly complements Heber's reverent and awe-filled lyrics, creating a truly unified and powerful expression of praise for the Triune God. **3. Biblical & Theological Roots** * **The "Holy, Holy, Holy":** The three-fold repetition of "Holy" directly reflects the scriptural texts mentioned above (Revelation 4:8, Isaiah 6:3) and is widely interpreted as an affirmation of the **Holy Trinity** – God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. * **Attributes of God:** The hymn beautifully describes various attributes of God: Almighty, merciful, powerful, loving, and eternal. **4. Enduring Legacy** * **Global Popularity:** From its initial publication with Dykes's tune, "Holy, Holy, Holy!" quickly gained widespread popularity across denominations worldwide. * **Timeless Appeal:** Its profound theological depth, combined with its memorable and uplifting music, ensures its place as a staple in hymnals and worship services. * **Versatile Use:** It is often sung at the beginning of services as a call to worship, during moments of profound adoration, or as an opening hymn for celebrations of God's majesty and holiness. --- **In Summary:** * **Words:** Reginald Heber (1826), inspired by Revelation 4:8 and Isaiah 6:3, written for Trinity Sunday. * **Melody:** John Bacchus Dykes (1861), tune named "Nicaea" in honor of the Council of Nicaea and its affirmation of the Trinity. * **Impact:** A timeless hymn celebrating the majesty and Triune nature of God, cherished by Christians around the globe.
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