Our song "Immortal, Invisible" is an arrangement of a hymn that first appeared in a hymnal in 1884. The tune is an old Welsh folk song that first appeared as a hymn tune in 1839.
Even though it is an old tune and an old text, it is still beautiful and the text is very majestic in it's description of God.
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes.
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.
The opening line of the text had its inspiration from 1 Timothy 1:17
1 Timothy 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the
only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timóteo 1:17 Ora ao Rei dos séculos, imortal, invisível, ao
único Deus seja honra e glória para todo o sempre. Amen.
Paul considered
himself the worst of sinners. He had persecuted the church. Acts 8:3 says “Saul,
however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men
and women, and put them in prison.”
But God in
his grace reached out to Saul and made him into a new man. Saul changed his
name to Paul to show that Jesus Christ had changed him.
In the verses
just before 1 Timothy 1:17 Paul gives his testimony of God’s grace in his life
and so verse 17 is a response of praise to God because of His grace.
I Timothy 1:13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a
persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy
because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord
was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love
that are in Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full
acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of
whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I
was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ
Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for
those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
1 Timóteo 1:13
A mim, que dantes fui blasfemo, e perseguidor, e opressor; mas alcancei
misericórdia, porque o fiz ignorantemente, na incredulidade. 14 E a graça de
nosso Senhor superabundou com a fé e amor que há em Jesus Cristo.
15
Esta é uma palavra fiel, e digna de toda a aceitação, que Cristo Jesus veio ao
mundo, para salvar os pecadores, dos quais eu sou o principal. 16 Mas por isso
alcancei misericórdia, para que em mim, que sou o principal, Jesus Cristo
mostrasse toda a sua longanimidade, para exemplo dos que haviam de crer nele
para a vida eterna.
Have
you experienced God’s grace? You don’t have to make yourself better before you
come to God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul was the worst of sinners, and
yet, God’s grace was poured out on him abundantly. God reaches out to you in
grace no matter what sins you have committed. Deus Ama Voce! On the sidebar of
this blog you’ll see some links that will help you see the Good News of Jesus
Christ.
♫
♪ Notes on the music ♪ ♫
"Immortal
Invisible" begins with a mysterious sound as the lower bells are played with
mallets and the melody of the hymn is played in a minor key. This reflects the
mystery of our eternal, immortal, invisible King. The music changes into a bright
major key as we remember Paul’s words “the grace of our Lord was poured out on
me abundantly.” The music returns to the minor theme as we realize this mystery -
that the great God of the universe reaches out to us in love. Amazing, isn’t
it?! And wonderful!
Here is a link to the publisher - not for you to buy a copy, but there is a link on this page where you can hear the song. Listen to Immortal Invisible.
