You help make Hymnary.org possible.

In 2025, more than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources, and encouragement here. If Hymnary has meant something to you this year, would you take a moment to help sustain it? A gift of any size — and a note of encouragement, if you'd like to share one — directly supports the server costs, research, and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org (c/o Calvin University)
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for being part of this important online ministry resource.

Click here to donate to Hymnary.org I have already donated. Please don't show this to me again

Thou great first Cause, least understood

Author: Alexander Pope

Alexander Pope was born in London, in 1688. His parents were Roman Catholics. He had a feeble constitution, was deformed in person, and attained the age of only fifty-six. He early acquired the means of independence by his literary gifts, and purchased his celebrated villa at Twickenham, whither he went to reside at the age of thirty. Of his many published works, his translation of the "Iliad" and "Odyssey" of Homer has given him the greatest reputation. As an English satirist, also, he stands very high. Nearly all his works, however, are imitations. He died at Tickenham, in 1744. --Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A., 1872… Go to person page >

^ top

Text Information

First Line: Thou great first Cause, least understood
Author: Alexander Pope
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain
^ top

Tune

CHRISTMAS (Handel)

The tune is based on the the beginning of the soprano aria "Non vi piacque ingiusti dei" from the opera "Siroe"

Go to tune page >


All tunes published with 'Thou great first Cause, least understood'^ top

Timeline

^ top

Instances in all hymnals

Instances (1 - 9 of 9)
Page Scan

A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for the use of Universalist Societies and Families (13th ed.) #376

A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for the use of Universalist Societies and Families (13th ed.) #376
Page Scan

A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for the Use of Universalist Societies and Families 16ed. #376

A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for the Use of Universalist Societies and Families 16ed. #376
Page Scan

A Collection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs; suited to the various kinds of Christian worship; and especially designed for and adapted to the Fraternity of the Brethren... #535

A Collection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs; suited to the various kinds of Christian worship; and especially designed for and adapted to the Fraternity of the Brethren... #535
Page Scan

A Collection of Spiritual Hymns #379

A Collection of Spiritual Hymns #379
Page Scan

Hymns, Composed by Different Authors, at the Request of the General Convention of Universalists. 2nd ed. #a370

Hymns, Composed by Different Authors, at the Request of the General Convention of Universalists. 2nd ed. #a370
Page Scan

Hymns #370

Hymns #370
Page Scan

Resurrected Songs #36

Resurrected Songs #36
Page Scan

The Brethren Hymnal #476

The Brethren Hymnal #476

The Church Hymn Book #d1001

The Church Hymn Book #d1001
All instances^ top
Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.