Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

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October 18, 2026

1 Minute Read

The inspiration for this hymn comes from 1 Timothy 1:17: “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Its author, Walter Chalmers Smith, was an ordained minister of the Free Church of Scotland. This text first appeared in his Hymns of Christ and the Christian Life in 1867.

The tune, ST DENIO, is a traditional Welsh melody. It comes from the long tradition of using secular melodies for sacred hymns. The first known published version comes from the hymnal Caniadau y Cyssegr in 1839.





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From this Collection: Music Notes
October 18, 2026 • 1 Minute Read
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October 18, 2026 • 1 Minute Read
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The inspiration for this hymn comes from 1 Timothy 1:17: “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Its author, Walter Chalmers Smith, was an ordained minister of the Free Church of Scotland. This text first appeared in his Hymns of Christ and the Christian Life in 1867. The tune, ST DENIO, is a traditional Welsh melody. It comes from the long tradition of using secular melodies for sacred hymns. The first known published version comes from the hymnal Caniadau y Cyssegr in 1839.
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