Holy, Holy, Holy

Holy, Holy, Holy

Text written in 1826 by Reginald Heber (1783-1826)

Sung to the hymn tune NICAEA, composed in 1861 by John B. Dykes (1823-1876)

Revelation 4:8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “ ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”

V. 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!

See also Revelation 4:8 (above) for scripture references in verse 2

Revelation 4:10 ...The twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne....

Revelation 5:11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 

V. 2 Holy, holy, holy! Angels adore Thee,

Casting down their bright crowns around the glassy sea;

Thousands and ten thousands worship low before Thee,

Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

Exodus 33:20 "But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

Psalm 18:11, 30 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—

the dark rain clouds of the sky....  As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.

V. 3 Holy, holy, holy! Though darkness hide Thee,

Though the eye of man Thy great glory may not see;

Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,

Perfect in power, in love and purity.

V. 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!