Devotion
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!
Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
which wert and art, and evermore shalt be.
Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
though the eye of sinfulness thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
perfect in pow'r, 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, blessed Trinity!
Someone remarked to me recently, "You know, we don't seem to sing this old hymn as much as we used to." That may be true, but for many of us, the words and tune still reside in our bones and bring back memories of many gatherings of worship where we have joined in singing God's praises with its familiar words. The repeated "Holy, Holy, Holy," and the invocation of the gathered saints, the cherubim, and the seraphim, all invite a vision of a glorious and majestic God before whom the whole creation bows in worship "casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea." We may not always know what the words mean, but the poetry and the vision is inspiring, and fitting to the praise and glory due the Trinity, this "one God in three persons, blessed Trinity," whose might is made known in the exercise of mercy. As the beneficiaries of such mercy and love we may indeed be inspired to raise our voices to join in the singing of praises right along with all creation—"all the works of earth and sky and sea."
Prayer
Holy God of Creation, your wonder is beyond our knowing, hidden in the majesty of all your creation. And yet you have made known to us your mercy made perfect in the depth of your love. May we continue with all your creation to sing your praises and your glory which continue to unfold to all eternity. Amen.