TRINITY
SDAH 73
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!
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For Worship Leaders
Make each hymn more meaningful with these helpful tools: Short, ready-to-use hymn introductions for church bulletins, multiple ways to introduce a hymn based on your worship theme and in-depth history and insights to enrich your song service.
Hymn Spotlight: Holy, Holy, Holy
This beloved hymn was written by Reginald Heber (1783–1826) for Trinity Sunday, drawing from Revelation 4:8-11, where heavenly beings and elders worship God, declaring, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.” Each stanza reflects on the majesty and mystery of the Triune God, echoing the eternal praise in heaven.
The tune NICAEA was composed in 1861 by John Bacchus Dykes (1823–1876), named after the Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325), where the doctrine of the Trinity was affirmed against Arianism. Its grand, ascending melody beautifully mirrors the hymn’s theme of divine glory.
As we sing, may our voices join the unending chorus of heaven, lifting praise to our holy and eternal God!
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Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
This hymn of four stanzas was written especially for Trinity Sunday by Reginald Heber (1783-1826; see on SDAH 47). It is a metrical paraphrase of Revelation 4:8-11: “They rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come…. The four and twenty elders fall down before him… and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things.”
NICAEA was composed especially for these words by John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876; see Biographies) in 1861. It is named after the ancient city (now Iznik) in Asia Minor where a church council of 300 bishops assembled in A.D. 325. They had met to decide the controversy regarding the Godhead and the position of Christ. Arius maintained the Jesus was not equal to, nor of the same substance, as God the Father. His doctrine was condemned by the council, and the teaching of Athanasius supporting the Trinity and the unity of the Godhead was incorporated as an article as an article of the faith. The words of the last line recall the Nicene Creed, which Dykes obviously supported by his choice of tune name.
Stanza:
1 – Revelation 4:8
2 – Revelation 4:10, 8
Revelation 5:11
3 – Psalm 18:11
Exodus 33:20
Psalm 18:30
Text
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!
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.
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.
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!
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
Rev 4:8-11 (a) Rev 4:8 (b) Rev 4:10, 8; 5:11 (c) Ps 18:11; Ex 33:20; Ps 18:30
Author
Reginald Heber (1783-1826)
Year Published
1826
Hymn Tune
NICAEA
Metrical Number
11.12.12.10
Composer
John B. Dykes (1823-1876)
Year Composed
1861
Theme
TRINITY
