Holy, Holy, Holy: The Anthem of Eternity
- Joe Hawkins
- Jun 27
- 3 min read
“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!”
From the first line, this hymn calls us to attention—not with casual praise, but with trembling reverence. “Holy” is the only attribute of God repeated three times in Scripture (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8), underscoring its supreme importance. Holiness is God’s defining attribute—His complete otherness, His moral perfection, His unapproachable light.
In these last days, as deception grows and man exalts himself, this hymn is a reset button for the soul. It directs our eyes upward, “early in the morning,” before the world’s distractions take hold. We are reminded that God is both merciful and mighty—a balance rarely understood in today’s culture. His mercy delays judgment; His might ensures it will come.
To sing “God in three Persons, blessed Trinity” is to proclaim a truth—a mystery and majesty the world will never fully grasp. Yet we worship, not because we understand Him completely, but because He is worthy.
“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.”
This stanza transports us prophetically to the throne room of Heaven. In Revelation 4, we are given a vivid image of what eternal worship looks like: elders casting their crowns, angelic beings crying out “Holy, Holy, Holy,” and a sea of glass reflecting the majesty of the throne.
This is not future fiction—it is heavenly reality, happening now. Saints, both in glory and on earth, are invited to join in this eternal chorus. The casting of crowns is an act of humility and surrender. It reminds us that any reward we receive is not to be hoarded but returned in worship to the One who made it possible.
The reference to “Who was and is and evermore shall be” echoes the eternal nature of Christ (Revelation 1:8). In a world obsessed with the temporary and the trending, this line confronts us with the eternality of God. The saints don’t worship Him because they have to. They worship because they can’t help but respond to the weight of His glory.
“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 pow'r, in love, and purity.”
In our current age, God’s holiness is often eclipsed by darkness. Sin distorts vision. The modern mind, dulled by rebellion and pride, cannot perceive His glory—even though it surrounds us. Yet, despite our blindness, God has not changed. He is still “perfect in power, in love, and purity.”
This stanza calls out the depravity of man while exalting the unmatched nature of God. Isaiah cried, “Woe is me!” when he caught a glimpse of God’s holiness (Isaiah 6:5). Likewise, we must regain our awe of a God who is not like us. He doesn’t evolve, conform, or compromise. In a world demanding tolerance, God remains perfectly holy and He calls His people to be the same (1 Peter 1:16).
This lyric is especially prophetic in our times. The Antichrist system will thrive in spiritual darkness and deception. People will be drawn to false wonders and counterfeit light (2 Thessalonians 2:9-11). But true believers will keep their eyes fixed on the Holy One, even if the world cannot see Him.
“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.”
The final stanza takes us from heavenly vision to global proclamation. It envisions a future fulfillment of Psalm 19:1—“The heavens declare the glory of God.” One day, all creation will praise Him. This prophetic hope points forward to the Millennial Kingdom and, ultimately, the New Heaven and New Earth.
Until that day, the faithful remnant echoes this anthem. Despite a fallen creation groaning under the curse (Romans 8:22), we sing. We praise even when the world mocks. We proclaim His holiness as a witness against this present darkness and as a rehearsal for eternity.
This is a hymn of both present worship and future certainty. Every syllable is saturated with eternity, reminding the Church that holiness is not a relic of the past—it is the destiny of every true believer.
Holy, Holy, Holy - Reginald Heber