Words: Reginald Heber, 1826

Music: Nicaea, John B. Dykes

Reginald Heber (1783-1826) wrote Holy, Holy, Holy for Trinity Sunday while he was rector at Hodnet, Shropshire, England. He later became Bishop of Calcutta (Kolkata), India. Most of his hymns were published posthumously.

John B. Dykes (1823-1876) became assistant organist at age 12, at the church where his grandfather was vicar. He earned a BA in Classics. Throughout his career, he served as a curate, canon, precentor, and vicar, and he published sermons and articles on religion, but he is best known for composing over 300 hymn tunes. The tune he wrote for Holy, Holy, Holy is named Nicaea, after the place where the first Ecumenical Council was held in 325.

Hymn Lyric Video (Embed video here)

Holy, Holy, Holy
Words: Reginald Heber, 1826

Music: Nicaea, John B. Dykes

^{Verse 1}
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!

^{Verse 2}
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 wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

^{Verse 3}
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.

^{Verse 4}
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!