Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
Immortal, invisible, God only wise
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise is a hymn text by Walter Chalmers Smith (1867) in 11.11.11.11 meter. Found in CW21 614, CW93 240, elw 423, lbw 526. Sung to ST. DENIO.
A hymn of profound theological depth about the transcendence and attributes of God. Drawing on 1 Timothy 1:17 and the apophatic tradition, it celebrates what God is: immortal, invisible, inaccessible, unresting, unhasting, silent, the source of all light and life. A corrective to overly sentimental views of God.
History & Background
Written by Walter Chalmers Smith (1824-1908), a Free Church of Scotland minister, published in 1867. Based on 1 Timothy 1:17. The tune ST. DENIO is a Welsh folk melody.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 614
- Christian Worship — 240
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 423
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 526
- Lutheran Service Book — 802
- Lutheran Worship — 451
Bulletin Note
Immortal, Invisible — Walter Chalmers Smith, 1867
Preaching Connection
The majesty and transcendence of God — connects to sermon themes on divine attributes.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law (God's transcendent holiness and justice) to Gospel (human response of worship and union with the divine life)
In the Church Year
Suggested in the three-year series
- Proper 21 (3×)
- Proper 16 (1×)
From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.
Themes
God's Majesty Transcendence Praise Attributes of God