One of my favourite hymns, Holy, Holy, Holy was written by Yorkshire born poet and pastor Reginald Heber. Living in a time when English Romantic poetry was blossoming, he showed much skill in poetry writing, wining prizes for his poems in his teenage years. After ministering as a pastor for many years at a local parish, he moved to India, fuelled by his love for missions. Reginald died of a stroke at the 42 after preaching to a large crowd one afternoon in the hot sun; after his death, his widow discovered his hymns in a trunk, among which was this beloved song¹.

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 pow’r, 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!

¹ page 98 – Leeman, D. and Leeman, B., 2022. Our Hymns, Our Heritage: A Student Guide to Songs of the Church