As we look at who GOD is we are called to worship, because of HIS holiness. But why the three-fold repetition “holy, holy, holy” called the trisagion? The repetition of a name or an expression three times was quite common among the Jews, a way of expressing the intensity or importance of what they are describing. Therefore, when the angels around the throne call or cry to one another, “Holy, holy, holy,” they are expressing with force and passion the truth of the supreme holiness of GOD, that essential characteristic which expresses HIS awesome and majestic nature.
Today we will examine the Hymn by this title and the Biblical passage of its founding.
Isaiah 6:3, “And one called to another: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth.”
The Hymn says,
“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!”
As we look at this song, we are reminded that it is “early in the morning” we should open the day reading and studying GOD’S Word. We need to open the day singing praises to GOD’S name.
HE is merciful and mighty; HE is the GOD manifested in three persons, HE is the Holy Trinity, HE is Holy, Holy, Holy!
All the saints are to adore HIM. If we are followers of JESUS, we are saints, and if we are saints, we adore the one who has saved us from our sins.
As we live for JESUS in this world, we can gain crowns or rewards for different aspects of the CHRISTian disciplines, but as we come before HIM in worship, we cast them down at HIS feet offering HIM our very best, understanding that HE was, is and will forever be the Holy KING of Kings and LORD of Lords. What an amazing merging of the picture of Isaiah 6 and the picture of the throne room of heaven in Revelation 4.
In this world the forces of evil try to hide GOD and the evidence of HIM, in 2 Corinthians 4:4, “In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” Because of the evil one we have many who may not see HIS glory. But we realize there is none holy but GOD alone. GOD alone is perfect in power, in love and purity. This is HIS character John tells us in First John 4:8, that, “The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” GOD is perfect love and knowing HIM is the only way to know what love is. GOD is also perfect power as described by Paul’s quoting of the words of JESUS, in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” The fact that GOD can show forth HIS power through the weakness and the frailty of our lives is the proof of HIS perfect power. As the hymn, Isaiah 6 and Revelation 4 all declare GOD alone is holy, holy, holy.
Many ask the question in an attempt to discredit the belief of GOD by arguing that they can’t see HIM therefore HE can’t exist, yet these same people do not declare the non-existence of the wind which they cannot see. However GOD’S Word is clear in Romans 1:19-20, “since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse.” SO GOD’S attributes are clearly visible in the earth, sky, and sea.
So as we rise each day and as we live each moment as the saints of GOD and as we finish each day our prayer, our praise our worship should be, “Holy, holy, holy LORD GOD ALMIGHTY! Holy, holy, holy, merciful, and mighty GOD in three Persons, blessed Trinity!””
We are called to praise GOD and to know HIM and HIS attributes we are to celebrate the mercy and might of our GOD and to even declare and praise HIS attributes we cannot fully understand such as “GOD in three Persons, blessed Trinity.”
Today right now I want to encourage you to pray this hymn in worship of the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.
Pray: “Holy, holy, holy, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty
GOD in three Persons, blessed TRINITY. LORD I come bringing my best and laying it at YOUR feet as the angels are falling before YOU in worship, as the GOD who was, is and evermore shall be. LORD, help me to see and say that YOU alone are Holy and that there is none that can compare with YOU. LORD, YOU alone are perfect in power love and purity. GOD the works of YOUR creation declare YOUR glory and as a part of YOUR creation I want to declare YOU as Holy, Holy Holy! In JESUS name I pray, Amen!
