Anthem Lights - Holy, Holy, Holy Lyrics
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 were, and are, and evermore shall be
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!
Video
Holy, Holy, Holy | Anthem Lights
Meaning & Inspiration
On June 8, 2018, Anthem Lights released their rendition of the timeless hymn, "Holy, Holy, Holy," offering a fresh vocal tapestry to words that have resonated through generations of believers. This release isn't merely a cover; it’s an invitation to engage with a profound theological declaration, originally penned by Reginald Heber in the early 19th century. Heber, an Anglican bishop, crafted these verses for Trinity Sunday, drawing deep inspiration from the book of Revelation, particularly its majestic scenes of heavenly worship. The hymn’s enduring power lies in its comprehensive adoration of God, celebrating His triune nature – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – with reverence and awe, a message Anthem Lights amplifies with their signature vocal harmony.
Anthem Lights’ interpretation of "Holy, Holy, Holy" powerfully conveys the message of God’s absolute holiness, an attribute so fundamental that it is repeated three times in the opening line, echoing the seraphim’s cry in Isaiah 6:3 and the elders' declaration in Revelation 4:8. This triple repetition signifies not just emphasis, but the perfection and completeness of His sacredness. When the song declares, "Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee," it speaks to a daily, consistent dedication of praise, much like the psalmist who commits to seeking God at dawn (Psalm 5:3). The phrase "Lord God Almighty" translates the Hebrew "Jehovah El Shaddai," highlighting His limitless power and sovereign authority over all creation. The hymn then beautifully balances this omnipotence with His compassion, recognizing Him as "merciful and mighty," a truth revealed throughout Scripture, from His covenant with Moses (Exodus 34:6-7) to His unending grace described by David (Psalm 145:8). Crucially, the song anchors itself in the core Christian belief of "God in three Persons, blessed Trinity," a mystery of faith where God exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, co-equal and co-eternal, as evidenced in Jesus' Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) and Paul's blessing (2 Corinthians 13:14).
The second stanza delves into the grandeur of celestial worship, proclaiming, "All the saints adore Thee." This isn't confined to a select few; it encompasses every redeemed individual, past, present, and future, united in reverence. The imagery of "Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea" directly references Revelation 4:10, depicting the twenty-four elders in heaven humbly surrendering their symbols of authority and achievement before God's throne, acknowledging that all glory belongs to Him alone. Even the highest angelic beings, "Cherubim and seraphim," are shown "falling down before Thee," a profound demonstration of God’s supreme majesty and worthiness of worship (Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 1, Revelation 4). The declaration that God "Which were, and are, and evermore shall be" underscores His eternal nature, His unchanging character, and His sovereignty over all time, a truth found repeatedly in the opening and closing chapters of Revelation (Revelation 1:4, 1:8, 4:8).
The final stanza brings this cosmic worship back to creation itself, asserting that "All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea." This echoes Psalm 19:1, where "the heavens declare the glory of God," and Romans 1:20, which states that God’s invisible attributes are clearly seen through what He has made. Every facet of creation, from the smallest microbe to the most distant galaxy, bears witness to the Creator's handiwork, reflecting His power, wisdom, and beauty. The return to "Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!" serves as a powerful concluding affirmation, cyclical in its praise, reinforcing the central tenets of God's character and nature. Anthem Lights' vocal arrangement, while focusing on the message, inherently elevates these words, allowing the profound Scriptural truths to resonate deeply, encouraging a personal response of adoration and surrender. This rendition serves as a vibrant reminder to believers that our daily praise aligns us with the worship occurring continually in heaven, urging us to recognize and declare God's magnificent holiness in every aspect of our lives.