Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
“To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” - 1st Timothy 1:17. Lets explore each of those 3 attributes
1 Immortal, invisible, God only wise,[1]
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes.[2]
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,[3]
Almighty, victorious--Thy great Name we praise.
[1] each word is worthy of meditation. Another way to say this is, “Immortal, Invisible, only God is wise”
[2] 1 Timothy 6: “God, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see.” This refers to how God’s glory exists in such intense brilliance and holiness that no created being can approach or endure it. No one can look directly on God’s glory and live, unless we’re in Heaven, which is one of the great things we look forward to being present with the Lord. These first two lines set the tone for the hymn: God is far above and beyond us. Yet, God still reveals himself to us, cares for us, and draws us near.
[3] Ancient of Days = one of the most majestic titles of God, it comes from Daniel 7, referring to Him not only as existing before and outside of time, but also a picture of God’s rule and judicial authority as ultimate Judge in Daniel’s vision.
2 Unresting[4], unhasting[5], and silent as light[6],
Nor wanting[7], nor wasting[8], Thou rulest in might[9];
Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.[10]
[4] God never sleeps or gets tired.
[5] He’s never in a rush, all works per His perfect timing.
[6] just like light makes no sound but is obviously present, God works with perfect calm and power. Even though we may not see him in physical form, it’s good to remind ourselves that He is working and is in control.
[7] God never lacks anything.
[8] nothing is ever without purpose or use in the way He guides things.
[9] God rules with overwhelming power in a mighty, sovereign, unstoppable way.
[10] visualize: Mt. Everest, clouds at the base, and the mountain peak soaring high, representing God’s love and goodness
3 To all, life Thou givest - to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest - the true life of all.[11]
Thy wisdom so boundless, Thy mercy so free,
Eternal Thy goodness for naught changeth Thee.[12]
[11] restated: “God is the author of life, and the sustainer of life.” It also highlights a theme of the song, which is how God is far above creation and invisible, but paradoxically, closer than our own breath, because He’s in us.
[12] restated: God doesn’t change
4 Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,[13]
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;[14]
All praise we would render--O help us to see
'Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee![15]
[13] restated: “God is the source of all glory and spiritual light”
[14] Even the angels have to veil their sight of God’s glory, it’s so brilliant, per Isaiah 6:2. If the seraphim can’t, how much more should we feel our smallness, and it should humble us!
[15] the heart of this hymn, see below.
Heart of this hymn: we don’t see God because he’s distant or hiding, we don’t see Him because His glory is so intense; His light is of such overwhelming brilliance that our eyes wouldn’t be able to handle it, they’re too weak. The very splendor that makes Him so beautiful is what conceals Him from us. Wow!
Author: Walter Chalmers Smith
Composer: 0
Meter: 11.11.11.11
Tune name: ST. DENIO