Holy, Holy, Holy

Lyrics by Reginald Heber, 1783-1826
Music by John B. Dykes, 1823-1876

“…and day and night they do not cease to say, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD God Almighty, Who was andwho is andwho is to come.’” (Rev.4:8)

Reginald Heber was born in 1783 in Cheshire, England. His father was a minister for the Church of England and Reginald followed in his footsteps. Heber had always loved poetry and this translated to a love for hymnody while he was a minister. Heber also had concern for the spread of the Gospel amongst the nations. This led him to move to India where he was given oversight of the Anglican churches in the country.[1] Heber died of a brain hemorrhage just four years later.

The Anglican Church follows a strict liturgical calendar. Being a lover of God-honoring music, Heber sought to write hymns that corresponded to the different occasions of the year. Trinity Sunday is celebrated eight weeks after Easter to celebrate the triumph of the early church over the heresy of Arianism (a heresy that denied the trinity). “Holy, Holy, Holy” was written for this occasion. John Bacchus Dykes, a famous English musician of the 19^th century, wrote the music for this hymn. The music has been entitled “Nicaea” after the First Council of Nicaea. This council of bishops met in 325 A.D. and denounced Arianism while affirming that the doctrine of the trinity is Biblical. 

Stanza 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!

Reflective thoughts: The hymn writer is determined to worship the triune God of the Bible (Ps.5:3). The Blessed God is to be worshiped because of who He is. He is three persons in one God at the same time. He is both merciful and mighty at the same time. If He were not merciful, we would have no chance. If He were not mighty, He would not be God. He is the forever blessed, God over all, and is worthy of our continual praise (Rom.9:5). Because this is so, may God receive our praises continually.

Stanza 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.

Reflective thoughts: In glory, the saints of God will worship forevermore. Any attainment that any of us has can be traced back to the grace of God. The joy of Heaven will be to ponder and worship the eternal God who alone is worthy of glory and honor and power (Rev.4:10-11). Is this how you think of Heaven? The true Christian rejoices that he will worship God in His presence forever.

Stanza 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.

Reflective thoughts: The hymn writer recognizes that the darkness of sin and despair can cloud our view of God. The redeemed person may question God’s goodness or His ways when the clouds seem to continually gather overhead. While our view of God may change due to our circumstances, God Himself never changes. He is holy. He is perfect in power, in love, and in purity. Praise God that this is true even when the struggles of this life hide this reality from our sight!

Stanza 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.

Reflective thoughts or questions: What one does discloses who he is. With God, His works disclose His glory. Psalm 111:2 states that “Great are the works of the LORD; they are studied by all who delight in them.” As God is only good, everything that He does is good. The hymn writer again recognizes that perhaps God’s providential care may be questioned during this lifetime; however, all His works shall praise His name in the world that is to come. When we all see clearly the perfect care God has had over His creation, we will be able to do nothing but praise Him for His works will show just who He is. Let us bless God by faith in all circumstances now, knowing that all that He does is good. As Job trusted and praised God when he didn’t understand, let us by faith praise our merciful, triune God.