Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, early in the morning my song shall rise to Thee.
But this morning, O God, my song rises broken, hoarse with sorrow, and yet I still lift it because You are worthy even when I am weary.
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty, God in three Persons, blessed Trinity! You are not like me. You are holy. You dwell in unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16), and yet You draw near to the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). Who am I that You are mindful of me? (Psalm 8:4) But You are. And I cannot fathom it. You are the God who thunders, and yet You whisper.
Woe is me, for I am undone (Isaiah 6:5), for my lips are unclean, and my heart too often drifts like a ship unanchored. But You do not change (Malachi 3:6). You are the Ancient of Days, clothed in glory and fire (Daniel 7:9), and still, You remember that I am dust (Psalm 103:14).
I come not with polished words, but with trembling hands and a heart that knows its lack. Like the prodigal, I rise and come to You (Luke 15:18), for where else can I go? You alone have the words of eternal life (John 6:68).
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 power, in love, and purity.
You are high and lifted up, and the train of Your robe fills the temple (Isaiah 6:1). Let it fill this room. Let it fill my chest. Let it fill the aching hollow places that this world cannot reach.
Break me, mold me, cleanse me. Search me, O God, and know my heart (Psalm 139:23). Root out the hidden idols, the buried fears, the silent angers. Make me holy because You are holy (1 Peter 1:16) — not in name only, but in fire.
Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea.
I have no golden crown, Lord, only ashes. But I lay them down. And You crown me with lovingkindness and mercy (Psalm 103:4). How can it be?
Your cross still bleeds grace. Your tomb still echoes victory. Your Spirit still speaks life.
So I will praise You not because all is well, but because You are good. Not because I am strong, but because You are mighty. Not because I see the way, but because You are the Way (John 14:6).
O Lord, I believe — help my unbelief (Mark 9:24). Sanctify me in Your truth; Your Word is truth (John 17:17). And when I have nothing left but the breath in my lungs, let it still rise.
Holy, Holy, Holy.
In the name of Jesus, who bore my sin and bore my song — Amen.