Text: Exodus 33:18-23; Isaiah 6:1-3; Isaiah 57:15; Revelation 4:6, 8
I’ve been singing this song since I wore my hair in pigtail braids. Maybe you remember singing it too. Did you notice how we say the word “holy” so many times? If I were editing this song for content, I would mark out a big chunk of holies with the note “redundant!” in the margin.
But is it redundant to call God holy three times? Is it just flowery and poetic, or is there real theological reason for this repetition?
Poetry was in Reginald Heber’s blood. When he attended Oxford, his fellows threw him up on their shoulders and celebrated his earnest attempts at writing poems. They weren’t great poems, but that early recognition was enough to spur young Reg to a lifetime pursuit of verse.
Like most rich young men in the early 1800s, Reginald was poised to take a Grand European Tour after graduation. However, Napoleon had disrupted normal business, and instead of sunning himself in the south of France, Reginald found himself traveling by sledge to Moscow in the middle of January.
One might assume that, after that chilling experience, Reginald would be content to warm his feet by an English fire for the rest of his days. Instead, this experience opened up the world for him.
Years later, working in India as the Bishop of Calcutta, he continued to write poetry—both bad verses and beautiful ones. And somewhere between the foothills of the Himalayas and Bombay, he sat down to write his now famous hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy.”
Just like a winter vacation in Russia, some things seem destined to disappoint. But Heber learned that God is not like men; He does not fail. God is not just a little holy. He is superlatively holy: the most holy.
Because of our own unholy nature, it’s difficult for us to conceive of just how holy and other is our good God. We see everything through the lens of our human experience, and it’s difficult not to let our sight be marred and limited by our own impurity and sin. Many cultures impose human weakness on their gods (remember the petty and impatient Greek gods?), but our God is not made in our image. He is holy and set apart.
“Holy, holy, holy” not only points us to God’s holiness, but also to the Trinity. The Trinity is unique to the Christian faith. Both God’s Holiness and His Trinitarian nature are foreign to us—but also absolutely vital. The unblemished majesty of God, in His Trinitarian perfection, sets Him apart from all of creation.
To understand God as He is, perfect in power, love and purity, will necessarily change how we see our world—disappointments, plans, and joys. God calls us to fix our eyes on Him and to see the beauty of His holiness, in the light of which the things of this earth grow dim.
God is both One and Many, Unity and Diversity. Let’s join all His works and praise His name, on earth, and sky, and sea.
Holy, Holy, Holy
Reginald Heber, 1826
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, blessèd Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.
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.
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, blessèd Trinity!
* Source: The English Hymn: A Critical and Historical Study, by J. R. Watson.
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166 thoughts on "Holy, Holy, Holy"
I needed this truth today. With everything going on in todays world, I need to remember that God is perfect, in control and the Holiest of all beings and to just fix my eyes on Him. Thank you.
I needed this truth today. With everything going on in today’s world, remembering Good is
What may seem redundant to us with the repetition of all of the “holy” I think is vital as a reminder to us. Like ‘practice makes perfect’-the amount of times that we recognize and vocalize that He is holy will eventually sink in to us.
Holy holy holy! So powerful and fitting. Sometimes I feel like we don’t say it enough when referring to God
How amazing that God is holy and yet cares about us
15For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
“I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Amen!
Thank you for sharing. It has opened my eyes and heart of understanding of Gods purpose in my life. How I can use my past difficulties to tell a story of how God revealed his love to me when I didn’t even love myself. Giving my life to Christ I can now see how he too uses difficulties in our lives to express how much we mean to him.
What a way to reflect and realize the power of God. Holy and set apart. Thank you God for being so holy yet so relational.
Thakns for taking the time to post. It’s lifted the level of debate
“Just like a winter vacation in Russia, some things seem destined to disappoint. But Heber learned that God is not like men; He does not fail. God is not just a little holy. He is superlatively holy: the most holy. Because of our own unholy nature, it’s difficult for us to conceive of just how holy and other is our good God. We see everything through the lens of our human experience.”
This really struck me today. I am going through a difficult season both physically and mentally right now and it is SO hard to not just be disappointed daily. It’s SO hard to have God’s perspective. I absolutely yearn with everything in me for this time to be over. Lord, remove the lens of my own unholy perspective and experience and reveal Your holiness during this season of strife. You are still and always holy.
Beautiful reminder of what childhood was like in the churches compared to today…i am slowly putting God back into my life to better myself as a woman, mother, sister, daughter and friend! This was a good way to start back reintroduce the Bible back into my life
Haven’t been as devoted and faithful in my relationship with the Lord as I want to be. Its caused me relationships. This was such a blessed reminder of His holiness and faithfulness to His children. Please pray for me!
Good morning all! I’m not new to reading she reads truth because I read some of your plans on Bible YouVersion which I absolutely enjoyed. But I’m new to joining the she reads truth spp which I just installed. Nonetheless, I am enjoying the Hymn plan and the history behind writing the hymn.
We are so glad to have you with us, friend! Thanks for chiming in today!
– Stormye
Loves the mention of the trinitarian repetition throughout the Bible always mind boggles me!
I’ve never considered “Holy, holy, holy” representing the trinity! Totally opened my eyes to this hymn.
“God is not just a little holy. He is superlatively holy: the most holy.” I love it!
Holy, holy, holy is one of my favorites to sing!! Thank you for another beautiful study! She reads truth has enriched my time with God so much over the past couple months. ❤️
God is so so good !!
God is so holy!!! I cannot believe I was pushing him away when I was younger. Lord forgive me and repent my sins and clean me of all that toxic ” sludge”. Amen
You are holy, set apart, and so much greater than I can imagine, God.
In the waiting room of the eye doctor, singing to myself and jamming about how holy,holy,holy our God is!
I so appreciate this. I needed this reminder to get my eyes off of myself and upon the Lord. My default setting is to think about life on my own terms. But, how good is it that God is not limited to those–limited, tainted, and misunderstood as they are! Praise the Lord that He is Higher. Praise the Lord for the fact that He is High and Holy and also so very near. He is perfect to me, perfect in intentions, and perfect in His love always for me.
This is the attribute which seems to birth all others. In His perfect perpetual holiness, His faithfulness is found. So are His timely ways His forgiving GRACE, majestic hand in creation, the gentle tenderness He shows toward the wandering lambs… Holy in all He is and does. But the passages included are ones I know well in my head but truthfully they don’t really reach my heart all that often. It’s like I just don’t picture our Great and Mighty One in that was first, but in other ways moreso, like washing His disciples feet, rising again, healing souls & bones & flesh as Rapha, but in all those outpourings it was His very holiness woven into each of those actions! Thank you for this post. Blessed over here by you SRT sisters beyond words! Holy. HOLY. holy.
He is love. And so am I. He is holy. We are made in his image. Let us settle be still and find him within.
*beyond understanding*
God’s holiness is beyond knowledge. It good to know that God isn’t imperfect like we are, but a holy and perfect God.
He is holy above all, worthy of all praise!
Help me to fix my eyes on you and your superlative holiness today Lird!! Amen
He is holy, holy, holy! Thank you, Precious Father!
Exalt the LORD our GOD and worship at his holy mountain, for the LORD our GOD is holy. – Psalm 99:9 NIV
Please pray for me
Praying for you Hannah!
Hymns may not be my favorite type of music – but I find the words are far more powerful than most other songs. Very much enjoying this.
Hallelujah! God is hol$
….where I was at the time. It is a strong f
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I remember this hymn as a three year old. I know
I needed this today. Blow my mind because My pastor actually just talked about how “holy holy holy” was repeated in the bible for a purpose to describe God the most out of everything. Thank you so much for sharing this!
I love the fact that God created four creatures that each have the soul purpose of continually repeating “holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.” What a great life that would be!
Amen! And got think that’s there whole purpose! Man hats such a beautiful job to have!!
So oftentimes we forget how incredibly holy God is! This is a fantastic reminder for my to sit and bask in the greatness of our God! He is truly holy and beautiful!
why was he not aloud to see the face of God ? how is it that he can see His back only ? and why is God able to physically touch someone, but the person can not see him ?
Hi Alicia,
God is too beautiful for man to comprehend and look at with the human eye…
Think of it as you’re driving on the road- your drive has been fine, passing other cars while on your way.. When all of a sudden this overwhelming light starts to blind you in your rear view- you know it’s the light reflecting off the car behind you but cannot make out the car no matter how hard you try-it’s too painful to keep looking at the brightness of the light..
That is how being in the presence of God as our human form would be.. His beauty is too blinding for us to physically look upon.. Which is pretty great when you think about how we’re created.. In his image.. And how He sees His children… We were created to be a blinding light-to shine always for Him… Kinda beautiful actually.
As far as only seeing his backside… I think this has something to do with the fact that usually emotions-or in this case someone’s brightness is usually told through ones face, and for Abraham to have to look at essentially God’s booty-is just proving that even God’s backside was shinier than ever!! God allowed Abraham to view him but only what He knew Abraham could handle. Also, a face is an identifier and it is said in the bible that no man has seen the face of God the Father. And cannot see it and live.. But I believe once we’re in heaven with Him-in our new bodies-we will be given the opportunity to look upon our creator with awe and wonderment.
I hope this helps!
Love this hymn even more now that I know the significance of the holy, holy, holy. Thankful for some time this evening to relax and delve into God’s word.
I just realized the trinity and the relationship to the three ‘holy’s. What an awesome God we have!
After learning the history of the poet who wrote the song I feel I have a fresh new love for this song! Thank you! I actually just sang it right now and tears came to my eyes!
Awesome really got me thinking
I LOVE this hymn! Thank you for sharing the history of it with us – it enriches the hymn to know its’ roots and the Scriptures shared expands the depth of it as well. The richness and perfection of God… beautiful.
never thought about saying holy 3 times related to the trinity..WOW
I’m confused about how to get to the different plans. Do I just click on sample or add to bookshelf? When I add to bookshelf it says it cannot connect to iTunes Store. What do I do? Help?!
Do you have an Internet connection? Do you have an iTunes account set up? If so, email this app. They are great at getting back to you. You’ll want to add to your bookshelf. Hope you figure it out sooner than later, this app is a blessing in teaching the Word!
Hi Fallon,
I’m so happy to help. It sounds like this may be a wifi connection issue. If you’ve tried turning your wifi on and off and the issue persists, email me at [email protected]. I’m here for you!
xoxo-Kaitlin
This hymn is one of the most beautiful ever written. The 2nd Chapter of Acts singers has a rendition that will lift you to a higher plane…
Amen! It’s beautiful!
This just made me feel really small, in a good way. My small problems, insecurities, fears… I know God is bigger and my Rock, but this just made it abundantly clear.
Completely agree! All of my worries and doubts and struggles are so small. God is bigger and greater than it all!
I felt exactly the same way! My world is not the core of everything and if my world seems like it’s coming to an end it does not mean the same for all the rest. My world, though important, isn’t bearing the burden of everyone else’s happiness or prosperity.
Is there no link to Spotify this time?
Hi Gina! Not this time, but we hope you’ll look up your favorite version while you’re reading!
xoxo-Kaitlin
Such a great read!! I loved it.
I have a new meaning to ponder of this song. Perfect for my current storm. Thank you!
When life and school and everything is so crazy, stressful, & just weird, it is lovely and blessed to be reminded that God is still altogether HOLY. He is not just Holy once, but many times, over and over. His Holiness abounds forever & ever. Thanks so much! I needed this reminder.
This hymn is beautiful in reminding me how holy and indescribable my God is.
I noticed while reading that the eyes of the seraphim are covered by their wings in the Isaiah verse; yet the living creatures flying around God in revelation are “covered with eyes all round, even under its wings.” The altar in Isaiah is full of living coals that atone for sin; the space before the throne in revelation is “a sea of glass, clear as crystal.” Super interesting when you compare these two scenarios…
To me, it’s always seemed like a comparison of the need for atonement and our sinful nature now to the purity and wholeness we have when we are whole in Christ and after his return! :).
It dawned on me while reading this hymn that maybe the three holies are in the song to describe each part of the blessed Trinity.
Wow! I never considered that!
That’s what I believe!
Such a refreshing perspective of this hymn. He is Holy!
What a great hymn! This devotion was great for this morning
What a lovely, humbling and heartfelt switch…asking God to take from me-each and every part of me, instead of me seeking Him for what I can take for my own selfish desires. I’ll be singing this one all day!
Ooops! Wrong day!
I know the words of this hymn by heart because I worked in a Christian School and taught our students a new hymn every month. Knowing that I will be singing this in heaven with all the saints makes me long to sing it in heaven and on earth. My eyes were once “the eyes of sinful man thy glory can not see.”, but now my song shall rise to thee.
I needed this today. I have been feeling disappointed and let down by people lately. I just love this hymn. I find it uplifting and encouraging as a reminder to dwell on God and his holiness, the rightness of his plans and that in his light, his holiness, the disappointments we face in this world grow dim. Beautiful. Thank you.
I will pray for you Melissa! I, too have been feeling discouraged and sad, so I know what you feel! God makes such beautiful things out of ashes, we will be okay. :)
I’m so blessed by this hymn. Peace be with you and on you for the rest of your life. ~
Beautiful! Going through such a tough time. Recently broke up with my fiancé and partner of seven years and have been lost, not to mention health issues. This hymn spoke to me in such a beautiful, deep manner. Great read!
Tara, we’re going through similar struggles and I want you to know as your sister in faith that the storm will pass. Just hold on tight to our Father and he will show himself and his perfect will be done.
I’m still struggling, there are days I cry out to God in pain and have horrible anger in me, but then I still STAND through it all and put my little faith in his works. Take care love
Tara, I know similar pain and it’s unbearable. what gets me through my break up is knowing that Gods plan for my life is way bigger than anything I could have made up. that He has a perfect man for me that will lead a faithful relationship and center it around Him! youre strong and beautiful, you’ve got this. you’re in my prayers.
I think we often sometime forget how awesome our God is. This hymn reminds us just how holy he really is. I’m so glad to have read this tonight.
This is such a beautiful hymn. Thankful to read the lyrics here today. I received some unexpected news this morning, and my week is off to a rough start. Prayers are appreciated. Thanks ladies.
Praying for you Courtney! Be still and know that He is walking with you whatever your going through. God is good, not just when things are going perfectly, but ALL the time!
Thanks Sara!
I can hear the people of my church singing this song. It was the first time I sang allowed and was brought to tears, tears of joy. So much joy when I see the words.
I needed this reminder of not viewing God through our broken lenses!
Same here!
This song brings back such sweet memories. I love the song but it started with my grandma. She would sing in church and that’s where I learnt to worship God. Yes, He is Holy! Thank you
Coming back to Shereadstruth today after a couple of months where life and school were thrown in my way by Satan. I’ve never done one of the hymn studies, but after reading today’s devo, I think this is definitely where God wanted me to start!
Thank you for starting with a hymn that focuses on God- on who He is and the characteristics of His truth! In starting with a hymn that speaks to the nature of God, “holy”, “merciful”, “mighty”, “the one who was, is, and is to come”; it allows us to refocus our eyes and hearts on Him and Him alone!
So glad you are here, sweet friend! Welcome back!
xoxo-Kaitlin
It’s so humbling that while God will display all His goodness to Moses, all His holiness would kill him! As I receive God’s mercy and grace, how much of His holiness am I blinded from by sin? Oh hasten the day when I may see God in all his holy holy holiness!
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I’ve also heard that holy holy holy repetition is similar to how we equate good better best so therefore God is holy, holier, and holiest. Love how it just shows he is holy beyond all. I can’t even comprehend it!!
I love singing this song, His Holiness truly reigns & covers me with His comforting arms. In the midst of my busy life, I love that I could sing this hymn & be in gratitude of His holiness & goodness that I could never comprehend from my own understand.
I love this so much, friend! Thanks for sharing today!
xoxo-Kaitlin
This came through my FB feed today. I love God’s timing!
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=WYP767NX
While reading this devotion today, I felt lead to listen to the hymn. In addition to the standard version I found this worship experience on utube ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TzpWSy52Xk This was such a blessing to me as an exclamation point to today’s study!
What hit me most today, from today’s scriptures, was God’s protectiveness toward Moses. The image of Him hiding Moses in a rock’s cleft as He passed so that Moses wouldn’t be struck down by God’s holiness…He loves us so, so very much. He is larger than life, the Holiest of Holies, He is everything, and (yet) He loved Moses and was tender toward Him. He is this way with us. This so resonated with me today.
Wonderful hymn and the first time I’ve understood “glassy sea” :)
I love that image too, Claire! Thanks for joining us today!
xoxo-Kaitlin
It is a shame that in so many of our churches today we no longer sing hymns. I miss singing them and I’m very excited for this devotional! Thank you.
That is so true! I have been thinking of that a lot. It is so sad that many churches no longer sing hymns.
I’ve heard this hymn so often and for so long in my life, that sometimes it loses its gravity of meaning due to the repetition. But to pause and focus on it today has been so wonderful. Sometimes it feels like we want bright neon signs that bring us new answers all of our questions and problems, and instead today, the bright neon sign I needed was just to focus on who He IS. Through that filter, everything else grows dim.
Love this Hymn!
Love the hymns devo! But yes, greatly missing the playlist to go along!!
I am struck this morning by the truth that when Moses asked to see God’s glory, God showed Moses His goodness, His mercy, and His election. That God is good, that He is merciful, and that He chose us from before the foundation of the world is the glory of God revealed to His people. I need this to break through the “default programming” of sin and rebellion; I need to rest here.
A blessing to sing this this morning. Put my day in perspective .
Thanks for joining us this morning, Linda! Blessings to you!
xoxo-Kaitlin
I am greatly missing the Spotify playlist!
This brought me back to being a little girl in church. This hymn stands out in my memory so much, as the church I attended oftentimes used this hymn to end mass. I remember standing beside my mom as she sang this:) thank you SRT for not only this beautiful Bible reading and devotional today but also for jarring my memory!
Love this so much, friend! Thanks for sharing!
xoxo-Kaitlin
Glory to God in the highest! Holy Holy Holy!!
LOVE this reminder of God’s great power and the glory that belong to HIM alone!!
Wow! Great to find a post kncnikog my socks off!
I’m new to this app, but very much like the way it is designed.
What struck me this morning is … I will put you in the cleft of a rock and cover you with my hand …
He takes such great care of us. Holy, holy, holy is He.
That,too, spoke to me! He takes such wonderful care of His children…Holy, holy, holy is He!
Me too! It brought tears to my eyes.
Welcome, friend! So glad you are here!
xoxo-Kaitlin
Today I had the intention to read God’s word in the magnitude of Him — thinking not about how it affects or pertains to me, but more about WHO God is and the scope of His holiness — and then this is the topic for today! Holy, holy, HOLY is our God! To think of it brings me to tears that SUCH a holy and merciful and loving God would care for the broken hearted, that He who is so holy would find pleasure in making himself a man to satisfy the debt of our sin, let alone care about the happenings of my life and my day. It’s almost too much to think about!
And I saw some seriously broken homelessness in my city over the weekend. To know He is with the downtrodden & the hopeless — gives me new breath to pray when in the moment I don’t know what to say. Thank You Lord. You know exactly what we need to hear, & today I needed THIS ❤️
I agree with you! I loved how one of the verses talked about how God will revive the hearts of the crushed. Holy holy holy is our unstoppable God!! ❤️
The same thing struck me with this. That God puts himself in such an amazing way with the downtrodden. It just keeps me in awe of Him. That He would lower Himself to bring us comfort. Amazing! ~ B
Apparently, the author has never been to Russia in the winter. ;) I’m gearing up for my seventh winter go-round–You haven’t truly experienced Russia until you’ve experienced it in the winter, in my opinion (and yes, I’ve been in the summer too–twice).
Is there an audio for this beautiful hymn like in the past? I am not seeing it….
Christine, I found one on YouTube that is audio only, so you can sing the words on the screen in your own voice — https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sMLpAv1Slro
I love the old hymns! Thank you for another study on them.
I really connected with Isaiah 57:15 this morning….the New Century Version reads like this …
“And this is the reason: God lives forever and is holy.
He is high and lifted up.
He says, “I live in a high and holy place,
but I also live with people who are sad and humble.
I give new life to those who are humble
and to those whose hearts are broken.”
This is our God, High and Holy, holy, holy … yet he lowers himself to sit with us in our sadness and our brokenness, to redeem us, to bring us up. He isn’t beyond reach, He doesn’t set himself so far apart from us that he is inconceivable … He is with us at all times. The understanding of that, the depth of that brings me to tears as I consider the great love he has over me, over us. ~ B
oh wow B……that version is beyond powerful! It grabbed me…..thank you for sharing!!!!
YES! HE is awesome!
That verse spoke to me also. What an awesome God we serve!
I love the old hymns! They find a way to settle my spirit. Also reminds me of the song… You are holy, oh so holy. You are holy, oh so holy. What a privilege and an honor to worship at your throne, to be called into your presence as your own….
Agreeing with all the other comments so far- I love this old hymn! I’m trying to figure out a way to teach my kids these songs. We attend a church that uses contemporary worship songs– which I also love, but maybe it’s because I’m getting older I’m starting to miss the traditional songs from the church where I was raised. I have a feeling that a hymns station on Pandora or some other music service will be filling my house more often :)
Hey Jess,
Not sure how old your kids are but there are quite a few modern praise and worship singers who have revisited the hymns and added a more contemporary feel to them (without straying from the original too much). That could be a good way to introduce them if they already listen to more contemporary worship music. I know the last time they did a Hymns study Shereadstruth created a Spotify playlist including some of these versions I mentioned. Maybe they’ll be so inclined to do so again :)
I made a Spotify Playlist of hymns for mostly that exact reason. I have found that it is also very useful for refocusing me and fixing my attitude when I’m having one of THOSE days! haha! If I’m grumpy and irritable, my kids love to see me turn it on because they know I will be more peaceful and patient after a few songs! I agree will DAH (and I don’t know what SRT put on their Playlist) but my personal favorite is Jadon Lavik, Roots Run Deep and Roots Run Deeper. To me, his arrangements feel fresh, but not like different songs. The old classic hymns are still the old classic hymns.
The Hymns for Worship pandora playlist is AWESOME! So many contemporary artists giving their spin on classic hymns like this one.
He’s really been showing me His “size” lately. And my size for that matter. How great He is. And still I feel that it’s inconceivable His splendor and majesty. We are SO blessed to be found, wanted, kept, forgiven, LOVED by Love Himself. Called His children and used as vessels for Him to work through. So much lately I have been thankful for the simple fact that I know God. That I am not lost. There are so many out there who have never even been told His name … Think Children.
For THE Living God, in His magnitude and holiness, to have His eyes, sovereign hand and favor on US… Goodness friends……. we have a radical life to live with Him not only on our side but living WITHIN us.
This morning I am humble and indescribably grateful to be a child of the Most High God, praising the name above ALL names! God Almighty!!!
Holy, holy, holy… that’s our God. It’s interesting to me that we never read in the Bible that God is “love, love, love”, or God is “mercy, mercy, mercy”. No… He is holy, holy, holy.
The fact that this is the only attribute of God expressed this way tells me that if I grasp nothing else about my Father, I need to get this… that He is holy. Not just righteous. Not just separate. Not just perfect. Holiness is like the summation of everything that is true about God. It’s all wrapped up in this. Holiness refers to His separateness, His otherness, the fact that He is unlike any other being. It indicates His complete and infinite perfection. It’s the attribute of God that binds all the others together.
“In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:1-3)
Once it was God’s holiness that separated us from Him. Now it’s God’s holiness that brings us to Him, the holiness of the perfect sacrifice Jesus offered for our sins on the cross. God displayed His holiness by making us holy through His holy son. Mind blowing.
Well said, Heather. Thank you!
Beauitul Heather! “Holiness is like the summation of everything that is true about God.” I love this. I have never thought about Gods holiness in this way before. Thank you for posting!
I love this hymn too, and also grew up singing it. It has always reminded me that the triune God is Holy, Holy, Holy. Every part of Him is Holy beyond what we can conceive. Holy but approachable as our daily companion, our Saviour and our Father. Thank you SRT for your daily wisdom.
Bonus–singing the hymn following my reading. Pure morning bliss!
I did the same thing! It brought back so many memories of my childhood singing this hymn in church and even mission trips I have been on. Such a sweet reminder of how amazing our God is :)
I did too, several times actually. I can’t think of a better song to have stuck in my head today!
“To understand God as He is, perfect in power, love and purity, will necessarily change how we see our world—disappointments, plans, and joys.”
Oh yes. I feel like this is one of the most joyful parts of our walk with Christ. We get a new perspective on the difficult, the changes, the celebrations.
❤️
Hymns weeks might be my favorite weeks here on SheReadsTruth, and I think this week is going to live up to that as well. Thanks for sharing the rich history behind many of our beloved classics and reminding us where they come from.
Me too, and I especially love hearing about the old traditional hymns!
Ah, the great hymns of our faith! So grateful we have them. My brother in law pastors a fairly large contemporary church. It dawned on him several years ago that they were predominantly singing contemporary songs for their worship. He feared the generations coming up would not even know the great hymns and so he had them all reintroduced. Wise man! The lyrics are so meaningful and often come to mind. Thank you for reminding us again of their importance and value.
I love these hymns series. I have, in fact, been singing this since I was a little girl and I’m so excited to know a little more about it. I know Holy, Holy, Holy will be stuck in my head all day and I’m looking forward to being reminded of His presence and perfection throughout my day.
This is a great hymn and it’s good to take time to understand it more and link it with the Bible references- to fix our eyes on God and the beauty of his holiness.
I have a question about the Bible passages though: in Exodus, God says to Moses that he can’t see his glorious presence because no-one can see his face and live, but later on Isaiah sees God. It seems to contradict, though I know there must be an explanation. Is anyone able to help exp!ain this?
http://www.neverthirsty.org/pp/bible-questions/answer01083-i-thought-no-man-can-see-god.html
Thank you for sharing this link Candace
Thanks, that’s really helpful, Candace.
According to The Bible Knowledge Commentary Isaiah had a vision of God. Remember Isaiah was a prophet so it was not uncommon for God to reveal Himself through visions. Moses on the other hand had a personal encounter with God.
Thanks, that makes sense.
I have always loved this hymn. We still sing it at our church and I am so thankful. I love the old hymns because they have so much theology. Thanks for sharing about the author.
This is truly one of the classics…, isn’t it…
I can remember singing this too, way back when life was a little easier and not so fraught with ‘ stuff’ personally, as it is now …
God is not just a little holy. He is superlatively holy: the most holy…the most holy…I’ll say it again, the most holy…
Thank you Rebecca, for this reminder of 1) a childhood that often finds its way to the back of my mind, 2)this hymn, that although not modern, it’s words, like God, are as true then as they are now…
Holy ..
Holy..
Holy..
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.
Just what I needed today, a reminder of how Holy, how perfect, how Holy, the Lord God Almighty truly and really is…Amen..
Blessings, Dears, happy Monday… xxx
This hymn brings back so many childhood memories. I can hear our whole church congregation singing this joyful hymn, but my moms voice beside me stands out the most. Thank you for conjuring this memory, but also for helping me see this hymn in a whole new light, focusing on the actual meaning of it.
The first verse is very popular but the two that follow have so much meaning:
Every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Christ alone,
The darkness can not hide who God is. Holy.
He is “other”. I like that.
Loved!!
One Beautiful version of this hymn by Hillsong United:
http://youtu.be/6iK0Miq2xNo
Thank you Chelsea…I liked that very much…
Holy, we cry Holy
Holy, we cry Holy
Holy, we cry Holy
Beautiful….
That is one of my favorites and truthfully the song I was singing in my head the entire time I was reading this scripture and devotional
Loved this! Love the song as well! It’s great to know where the writer was coming from when he writes the songs. Getting to know the biblical references in the hymn is also a great way to remember scripture or the song (whichever you decide to learn it).
Love this. A great reminder not to view God through our human weaknesses.
I loved that, Brooke. The Greeks imposed all kinds of human weaknesses on their gods, but not us. We are made in HIS image, not the other way around. And that’s a good thing!!!