Holy, Holy, Holy

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty

Holy, Holy, Holy is a hymn text by Reginald Heber (1826) in 11.12.12.10 meter. Found in CW21 944, elw 413, lbw 165, lsb 507. Sung to NICAEA.

One of the greatest hymns of the Holy Trinity, based on Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 4:8. Each stanza addresses the Trinity from a different angle: the majesty of God, the fallen world's inability to see God, the Trinity of persons, and the final doxology. The Sanctus imagery connects directly to Lutheran liturgy.

History & Background

Written by Reginald Heber (1783-1826), Bishop of Calcutta, for Trinity Sunday. Published posthumously in 1827. The tune NICAEA was composed specifically for this text by John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876) in 1861.

Hymnal Appearances

Christian Worship: Hymnal — 944
Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 413
Lutheran Book of Worship — 165
Lutheran Service Book — 507
Lutheran Worship — 168
The Lutheran Hymnal — 246

Bulletin Note

Holy, Holy, Holy — Reginald Heber, 1826

Preaching Connection

The holiness of God and the Trinity — connects to the Sanctus of the liturgy.

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Ascription of holiness to the eternal Trinity; heavenly worship; God's transcendence amid human blindness; universal praise and cosmic sovereignty

Themes

Trinity Holiness Praise Sanctus