January 7-13
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty
Written by Reginald Heber (1783-1826)
in 1826. The lyrics were written to be used on Trinity Sunday; a
Sunday set aside to celebrate the Triune Nature of God. I don't
remember any teachings about Trinity Sunday in any of the churches I
attended. That doesn't mean there were no teachings, maybe I wasn't
paying attention. Observed on the first Sunday after Pentecost by
“Christian churches the world over” according to one of my
sources.
I don't know if the lyrics were spoken
or sung traditionally, but in 1861 (35 years after Heber penned the
words), John Bacchus Dykes (1323-1876) set the words to music, based
on a tune then known as NICAEA.
The words are drawn directly from
Revelation 4:1-11. Here it is, followed by my own observations:
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,
Which wert and art and evermore shall
be.
Verse 3
Holy, Holy, Holy! Though the darkness
hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man They Glory
may not see;
Only Thou art Holy; there is none
beside Thee;
Perfect in Pow'r 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.
Verse 1: opening praise, Revelation
4:8
Verse 2: This is what's going on in
Heaven right now and for all eternity. Revelation 4:9
Verse 3: Perfect description of our
perfect God: Perfect in Power= Holy Spirit; Love=God; "It's not what
He does, it's who He IS" (Joyce Meyer) Purity=Jesus
Verse 4: Brings to mind Psalm 96:11-12 'Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad: Let the sea roar,
and all its fullness: Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it.
Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord.'
One more thought – it seems more than
fitting that this is the first hymn in most of the hymnals I've used.
Here is a link to an arrangement
presented by the First Plymouth Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. I
appreciate the orchestra, but love the a Capella section. I noticed
that they did alter some of the original lyrics. Enjoy!