Immortal Invisible, God Only Wise

Based on I Timothy 1:17, "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever", "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise" reminds us of the awe and reverence that we need to have as we worship our God. Even as we cannot see the sun, we see merely the light reflected by the hot gases surrounding the sun, so God's glory is hid from our eyes. Even the angels cover their faces in God's presence (Isaiah 6:2) because they cannot look on God's full glory.

"Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise" draws from other Scriptural references as well. "The Ancient of Days" from stanza one is from Daniel 7:9. "Thy justice like mountains" from stanza two is from Psalm 36:6. Originally written with six stanzas, stanza four referenced II Corinthians 3:15-16. The original stanzas four and five were combined to make the contemporary fourth stanza.

Great Father of Glory, pure Father of Light,
Thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
But of all thy rich graces this grace, Lord, impart -
Take the veil from our faces, the vile from our heart.
All laud we would render; O help us to see
'Tis only the splendour of light hideth thee,
And so let thy glory, almighty, impart,
Through Christ in his story, thy Christ to the heart.
"Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise" was first published in Hymns of Christ and Christian Life, (1876). The text was altered by the author and published in W. Garrett Horder's Congregational Hymns. (1884)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• hymn
• immortal
• invisible
• god
• religious
• christian
• traditional
• inspirational
• qvt
• howden
• choir
• church
• english
• tvnorth
• york

[jonparreno]

If you isolate the verse from what immediately goes before and after it, the word "God" could refer to any "god" , the god of the agnostic or universalist. But the context inextricably links this "Immortal God", with Jesus Christ, through whom He has offered salvation from sin. That God is the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is worthy of our true worship and praise.

[passtheaura]

Now that's how this song was meant to be sung!

P.S. I'd love to go to the "Monk Bar".

[Aritul]

Beautiful.

Thanks for uploading this.

[thebigJM92]

@whatsbeendone This is a hymn, not a song

[florianska6]

@Zebra902

Its in York Minster in northern England.

While not stated I expect it is the York Minster choir.

florianska6

[florianska6]

@passtheaura

Simply beautiful.

Superb sound of an English choir.

I agree with you - on both comments!

florianska6

[revpgesq]

the original final stanzas: Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,

Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;

But of all Thy rich graces this grace, Lord, impart

Take the veil from our faces, the vile from our heart.

All laud we would render; O help us to see

’Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee,

And so let Thy glory, Almighty, impart,

Through Christ in His story, Thy Christ to the heart.

expicitly overtly Christian song.Amen.

[revpgesq]

@whatsbeendone Jesus is a true myth. THE true myth. Jesus Loves you and me, and that is all dispositive Truth of this world.

[JesuismyKing]

I love this hymn. It was my favourite in school, and even today gives me goosebumps. Praise Him.

[washingzoo1]

This hymn sings out the touching, moving, true, good and beautiful attributes of God ! He is worth of praise with our whole lives and lifelong ! Praise and thanks to the true Triune God, Holy Father, Holy Son and Holy Spirit ! Amen ! Praise God for infinity !

[Zebra902]

This was just lovely. What choir sang this and from what country?

[SALLYANGEL2]

wonderful 1970 I learn this song,,I love it