Holy

Lyrics

Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory,
full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name
of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna in the highest.

Information

Music by: Manoling Francisco, SJ
Arrangement by: Palan Reyes

The Sanctus serves as a conclusion to the Preface and as an introduction to the prayer that invokes the Holy Spirit to sanctify bread and wine. 

The Sanctus in the liturgy is a song of unity, not just of the militant Church, but of all the creatures of God in heaven and on earth. This is why it is meant to resemble a choir or a symphony - it joins the praises of the Church in heaven and on earth. The new English translation follows the Latin formulation in that the Trisagion or the "Thrice Holy" is placed in the upper key. This indicates that "Holy, Holy, Holy" is a component of the acclamation that stands on its own rather than a simple adjective used to describe God. 

Also, the new English translation rewords "God of power and might" as "God of hosts" ("hosts" meaning an army) in order to communicate better prophet Isaiah's vision of Yahweh Sabaoth, the Lord of the heavenly armies. The word "Hosanna" is the Greek form of the Hebrew hosian-na. It is a shout of triumph whose original and literal meaning is "Rescue us! Help us!", "Save us!", "Save, we pray!", "May God save!", or "Give salvation." The expression is taken from Psalm 118: 25: "Save us, we beseech You, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech Thee, give us success!"

This psalm is part of the Hallel (Psalm 113-118) and, in that context, was recited by the Lord at the Last Supper. (cf. Matthew 26: 30 and Mark 14: 26 explicitly mention that at the end of the meal Jesus and the twelve sung hymns).