Hymn Story: Holy, Holy, Holy

 

(Sam Stack) Holy, Holy, Holy was written by Reginald Heber, an Anglican pastor and missionary. He was born in Cheshire, England in 1783.He was able to receive an exceptional education and was a top notch student.

Soon after completing his education, he was ordained into the Anglican Church and became a minister. Instead of seeking appointment to a large church, he chose to serve in a small church in Hodnet, England.

While there he began introducing new hymns, including some of his own. During that time, the church of England (Anglican church) encouraged the singing of only metrical Psalms. Heber was one of pioneers that helped expand the body of songs for the church.

In 1823, Reginald left England for India, where he became the Bishop of Calcutta. His responsibility included all of the mission work in India, Celon, and Australia. During his time in Calcutta, he founded a Seminary for training leaders and preached the gospel across India. He gave tirelessly to his ministry travelling extensively. The intense weather adversely affected his health and three years after arriving in Calcutta, after preaching to a large outdoor assembly, he collapsed and later died from heatstroke.

During his life, he wrote many hymns. After his death, his wife put together a collection of fifty-seven of his hymns including Holy, Holy, Holy. Many of these hymns are still used in churches today.

The hymn tune NICAEA was written specifically for this hymn by John B. Dykes. Dykes was a prolific composer and there are several of his hymns tunes still found in our hymnals.

Holy Holy Holy (Nicaea)

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 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!

John Bacchus Dykes | Reginald Heber
Material gathered from:
The Complete Book of Hymns (2006) by William J. Petersen and Ardythe Petersen
Companion to Baptist Hymnal (1975) by William J. Reynolds