Immortal Invisible Lyrics
Walter Chalmers Smith, 1824-1908
Tune Name: ST. DENIO
Composer: Welsh folk melody
Meter: 11.11.11.11
Hymnbook Source: English Hymnal (1906)
- Verse 1
- Immortal, invisible,
- God only wise,
- In light inaccessible
- Hid from our eyes,
- Most blessèd, 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
- Great Father of glory,
- Pure Father of light,
- Thine angels adore Thee,
- All veiling their sight;
- All praise we would render;
- O help us to see
- ‘Tis only the splendor
- Of light hideth Thee.
Hymn Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise |
| Author / Lyricist | Walter Chalmers Smith (1824–1908) |
| Composer / Tune | Traditional / “St. Denio” (Welsh) |
| Date Written / Published | 1867 |
| Historical Context | Scottish hymn emphasizing God’s transcendence and majesty during the Victorian era. |
| Theme / Message | God’s invisibility, immortality, and wisdom. |
| Notable Features | Poetic diction; often sung with strong congregational harmonies. |
| Cultural / Religious Impact | Widely used in Presbyterian, Methodist, and Anglican hymnals. |
| Source / Scholarship | A Survey of English Hymns – Kenneth W. Osbeck |
Hymn Similarities and Biblical Scholar Analysis on This Hymn:
| Scholar | View / Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Walter Chalmers Smith, Scottish Minister & Hymn Writer, 1824–1908 | Smith authored the hymn, emphasizing God’s transcendence and mystery. |
| John Julian, Author, A Dictionary of Hymnology, 1829–1913 | Julian comments on its enduring popularity in English hymnals for praising God’s invisible majesty. |
| Charles Wesley, Anglican Hymn Writer, 1707–1788 | The focus on God’s wisdom and omnipotence in Wesley’s hymns resonates with the themes of this hymn. |
| John Mason Neale, Hymn Translator, 1818–1866 | Neale notes the hymn’s poetic structure and theological depth in conveying divine attributes. |
| William Rees (Hyfrydol), Welsh Hymn Writer, 1803–1883 | Rees emphasized the hymn’s devotional richness and its ability to inspire awe toward God. |
About The Immortal, Invisible Text and Music
- Immortal, invisible, God only Wise is another song that I grew up on.
- As a little boy, I loved to hear songs played on the organ with the congregation - these awesome, majestic tunes - and it is so interesting that a song like this could be written to declare the power of God, the awesomeness of God, and the riches of God.
- God is invisible, but the effects of Him are seen throughout the world.
- There's no one that can say that there is no God, really and truly.
- May this song be a source of inspiration for you, as you trust in God whom you cannot see, but whom you know is there by His Spirit, and may He lead you and guide you into the truth, Who is Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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