The story behind the hymn
Reginald Heber was vicar of the Shropshire village of Hodnet when he began writing hymns to match the church calendar — then a controversial idea in the Church of England, which sang mostly metrical psalms. Holy, Holy, Holy was written for Trinity Sunday, and it does what few hymns dare: it simply stands still before the holiness of God.
Its text braids two throne-room visions — Isaiah's seraphim crying Holy, holy, holy, and Revelation's living creatures which rest not day and night, with the saints casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea. Heber keeps the camera pointed up for four entire stanzas; the singer appears only to confess that the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see.
In 1823 Heber accepted the diocese of Calcutta — all of British India in one see. Three punishing years later, aged forty-two, he died suddenly after a morning service. His widow found his hymns in a drawer and published them; John Bacchus Dykes later wrote the tune Nicaea — named for the council that confessed the Trinity — and the hymn became, by common consent, the finest in the language on the majesty of God.
The lyrics
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 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, blessed Trinity!
Public domain. Free to sing, copy, print, and share.
The Scripture behind it
And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
The seraphim's cry — the hymn's title and refrain.
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.
Which was, and is, and is to come — stanza two is this scene, crowns and sea and all.