Praise to the Holiest in the Height

I have been more impressed than ever recently with the powerful work of Christ as the last Adam who destroyed the work of the evil one and reversed the dreadful curse upon humanity.  This particular hymn seems to underscore this thought.  In particular think of the work of Christ in the wilderness who willingly went to Satan that he might begin to crush that serpent while displaying perfect obedience in his holy humanity to his blessed Father.

Praise to the Holiest in the height,
and in the depth be praise;
in all his words most wonderful,
most sure in all his ways!

O loving wisdom of our God!
When all was sin and shame,
a second Adam to the fight
and to the rescue came.

O wisest love! that flesh and blood,
which did in Adam fail,
should strive afresh against the foe,
should strive, and should prevail;

and that the highest gift of grace
should flesh and blood refine:
God’s presence and his very self,
and essence all-divine.

O generous love! that he who smote
in man for man the foe,
the double agony in Man
for man should undergo.

And in the garden secretly,
and on the cross on high,
should teach his brethren, and inspire
to suffer and to die.

Praise to the Holiest in the height,
and in the depth be praise;
in all his words most wonderful,
most sure in all his ways!

Words: John Henry Newman (1801-1890), 1866

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Possibly Related posts:

1. His Praise Continually in my Mouth
2. The Promises of God are to Ignite Praise not Engender Apathy
3. Exclusive Savior Exclusive Praise
4. Synonyms for Believing: Trusting and Treasuring
5. Christ’s Love for Divine Glory

One Response to “Praise to the Holiest in the Height”

1. Tom Reilly says:

   September 22, 2009 at 9:28 am

   I learned Newman’s hymn in tenderer years. It is a great hymn that I frequently ponder.

   I’ve often wondered at his “higher gift than grace” seeing the danger of a false dichotomy.

   Surely the reality is that Jesus is the personification of grace. I cannot separate them as the hymn seems to do.