Xanthe Hancox

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.   Revelation 4:8

"Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty," read Reginald Heber's widow. It was 1826 and her husband had recently died, and among his papers she found the words of one of the most powerful and beautiful hymns ever written.

The story goes that Heber, an Anglican clergyman, wrote hymns in an attempt to improve the singing in his little congregation in England. This one was probably written for Trinity Sunday. It might not sound like it, but it was actually quite a radical thing to do. At the start of the 19th century the singing of hymns other than metrical psalms in churches was officially disapproved by the Anglican authorities.

Fortunately for us, this didn’t deter Heber, and although he never lived to see his hymns published, we are left with these glorious words:

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, bless'd Trinity!

One word, repeated three times, reveals so much about the character of God. A double repetition signifies an emphasis on the word. A triple repetition designates a superlative and calls to our attention the infinite holiness of God. This is the only characteristic of God that is repeated three times. We never read, “Love, love, love, is the Lord God Almighty.” We never read, “Anger, anger, anger, is the Lord God Almighty.”  Three times the holiness of God is repeated.

Heber’s hymn describes a holy God who alone is truly worthy of worship. God is worthy because he created all things and because it is through God’s will that all things exist and are created.

It’s easy to buy into modern thinking that would have us believe that we’re in charge of our lives. This morning, let’s be reminded not to give priority to anything that distracts us from the true and living God and his will for us. God alone is holy and worthy of our worship.

Prayer: You are holy, holy holy and you created all things. Help me to understand this, Father, and to worship you as I ought. Today, help me not to be distracted by other things that turn my focus away from you. Amen

You can listen to Heber’s hymn here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR62awN7rhQ