Hymns

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

Words: Walter Chalmers Smith · Music: The English Hymnal, 1906 · 1867

Verse 1
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes;
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

Verse 2
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting thou rulest in might;
thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above
thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

Verse 3
To all, life thou givest, to both great and small;
in all life thou livest, the true life of all;
we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
and wither and perish—but naught changeth thee.

Verse 4
Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight.
All praise we would render; oh, help us to see
'tis only the splendor of light hideth thee!

Words: Walter Chalmers Smith, 1867, alt. | Music: Welsh melody, 18th c.; harm. The English Hymnal, 1906, alt.

Psalm 36; Psalm 50; Psalm 121; Isaiah 40; Daniel 7; Acts 14; 1 Timothy 1; 1 Timothy 6; James 1; 1 John 4

God, Adoration of · God, Majesty of