Holy God, We Praise Your Name, ELW 414
1 Holy God, we praise your name;
Lord of all, we bow before you.
All on earth your scepter claim,
all in heav’n above adore you.
Infinite your vast domain,
everlasting is your reign.
2 Hark! The glad celestial
angel choirs above are raising;
cherubim and seraphim,
in unceasing chorus praising,
fill the heav’ns with sweet accord:
“Holy, holy, holy Lord!”
3 Lo, the apostolic train
join your sacred name to hallow;
prophets swell the glad refrain,
and the white-robed martyrs follow;
and from morn to set of sun
through the church the song goes on.
4 Holy Father, holy Son,
Holy Spirit, three we name you,
though in essence only one;
undivided God we claim you
and, adoring, bend the knee
while we own the mystery.
Devotion
“Don’t touch!”
“Do touch!”
Each of these commands creates a totally opposite sensation. Each has its appropriate place. A museum full of fragile pieces of antiquity is a good place for a “Don’t touch!” sign. A children’s hands-on learning environment is a good place for a “Do touch!” sign. Both signs are displayed on God. In some ways our holy God is untouchable, beyond human reach. God openly shows us the “Do touch!” sign when we approach divinity with praise. Praise is a unique hand of the human soul. With it we are able to reach out to a bright, priceless sacredness that otherwise eludes our grubby handling of things eternal during our earthly existence. “Holy God we praise your name; Lord of all, we bow before you.” The unknown composer of this hymn, an insightful God-praiser, posted a “Do touch!” sign on God.
Prayer
Today, Lord, with that inner part of me I call my soul, I reach out and touch you with the hand of praise. What an honor it is that you allow me to do that. Amen.