Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
Encyclopedia
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise is a Christian
hymn
with words by Walter Chalmers Smith
, usually sung to the tune, "St Denio," originally a Welsh ballad tune, which became a hymn (under the name "Palestrina") in Caniadau y Cyssegr (1839) edited by John Roberts of Henllan
(1807-1876). Of this hymn, musicologist Erik Routley
has written:
"[Immortal Invisible] should give the reader a moment's pause. Most readers will think they know this hymn, the work of another Free Kirk
minister. But it never now appears as its author wrote it, and a closer look at it in its fuller form shows that it was by no means designed to be one of those general hymns of praise that the parson slams into the praise-list when he is in too much of a hurry to think of anything else but a hymn about the reading of Scripture. Just occasionally editorial tinkering changes the whole personality of a hymn; it has certainly done so here."
Original version of last two stanzas from Hymns of Christ and the Christian Life, 1867.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
with words by Walter Chalmers Smith
Walter Chalmers Smith
Walter Chalmers Smith , was a hymnist, poet and minister of the Free Church of Scotland and is chiefly remembered for his hymn "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise".-Life:...
, usually sung to the tune, "St Denio," originally a Welsh ballad tune, which became a hymn (under the name "Palestrina") in Caniadau y Cyssegr (1839) edited by John Roberts of Henllan
Henllan
Henllan is a village in Denbighshire, Wales with a population of approximately 750 and lies in the countryside, approximately 2.25 miles north-west of the walled-town of Denbigh.-Church and tower:...
(1807-1876). Of this hymn, musicologist Erik Routley
Erik Routley
Erik Routley was an English Congregational minister, composer and musicologist. He was educated at Lancing College and Magdalen and Mansfield Colleges in Oxford...
has written:
"[Immortal Invisible] should give the reader a moment's pause. Most readers will think they know this hymn, the work of another Free Kirk
Free Kirk
The Free Church of Scotland, an evangelical presbyterian church formed in 1843 when its founders withdrew from the Church of Scotland, also known as the Kirk. See:* Free Church of Scotland * Free Church of Scotland...
minister. But it never now appears as its author wrote it, and a closer look at it in its fuller form shows that it was by no means designed to be one of those general hymns of praise that the parson slams into the praise-list when he is in too much of a hurry to think of anything else but a hymn about the reading of Scripture. Just occasionally editorial tinkering changes the whole personality of a hymn; it has certainly done so here."
Lyrics
Lyrics given in most English hymnals:Original version of last two stanzas from Hymns of Christ and the Christian Life, 1867.