Immortal Invisible

We sung more hymns in three days than I have sung in five years. It was amazing!!!

Many charismatic congregations have walked away from hymns because they are old and regarded as boring and these congregations are more connected to the modern music. Even with all this said, it must be understood that there is so much value, depth and heart in the hymns. The young King in my house doesn’t understand them either and asks so many questions about them with his eyebrows lifted.

The hymns were often written from very personal struggles that could have broken any man. The writers found strength and joy in knowing that He who called them was faithful and would always lead them to victory. The depth of the words makes me think that the writers didn’t care that they would perish because that was the gateway to His presence and it was their end goal anyway.

One song that really blessed my heart is the hymn Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise

=====

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.

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.

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 nought changeth Thee.

Great Father of Glory, pure Father of Light
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All laud we would render, O help us to see:
’Tis only the splendour of light hideth Thee.

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.

Walter Chalmers Smith – 1867

This description of God in all His majesty and glory gives such great perspective. It shows Him as all-knowing and able and reliable like none other. When we sang this one, I couldn’t help but raise my hands in surrender to one who is more than me who has for eons gone by been the same reliable one. I rest in the knowledge that I am safe when I am connected to Him and His plan for my life.

Leave a Reply