Hymn 16. Lord God Almighty

There are few hymns that command the reverence of a congregation quite like "Lord God Almighty," sung to the majestic tune of Nicaea. From the very first chord, it calls the whole church to attention. We often pull this out for Trinity Sunday, but it serves beautifully as a grand entrance hymn on any major feast day. The text draws heavily from the Book of Revelation, painting a vivid picture of cherubim and seraphim casting down their golden crowns before the glassy sea. It is a song that makes you feel the sheer scale of heaven's worship right there in the choir loft.

Musically, John B. Dykes crafted a setting that builds in strength with every phrase. When the choir moves through the four verses, the steady, marching progression of the harmony gives everyone—from the soaring sopranos to the grounding basses—a chance to lean into the awe of the words. By the time we reach the final line, "God in three persons, Blessed Trinity," the voices unite in a powerful, grounded declaration of faith. It is a staple in our hymnbooks for a reason: it grounds the Mass in absolute majesty before the first prayer is even spoken.