What Is the Doxology and Why Do We Sing It?
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Perhaps you’ve seen the word in a printed church bulletin — after the offering, the congregation participates in something called “The Doxology.” Many of us know it by heart, singing the words in confidence surrounded by other Christian believers, hearts and minds lifted in reverence to the Lord.
But what exactly is the doxology? Is it one particular song or prayer, or something far broader?
Put simply, the doxology is both a general term and a specific one. Generally, a doxology is an expression of praise to God, usually one sung or chanted in unison with others. Specifically, “the doxology” typically refers to one of three basic doxologies used in Christian worship, often depending on which denomination or occasion.
What Does Doxology Mean?
In essence, a doxology is a praise song, usually a very specific one that is meant to express full, unadulterated, complete, and perfect worship and adoration for the Lord God Almighty.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines doxology as a “liturgical expression of praise to God.” It comes from the Latin word doxologia, from the Ancient Greek doxa, meaning “glory.”
While the word do not appear in the Bible, Scripture does contain a number of doxologies — or praise songs — to the Lord. Some of these have been turned into hymns and are used in worship services.
In the Jewish faith, a similar practice called Kaddish (or Qaddish) is recited, chanted, or sung at the end of a prayer service. The Mourners’ Kaddish is one example, where those grieving recite this hymn that praises God during the bereavement period and to mark the anniversary of a death of a loved one.
What Are the Three Main Doxologies?
There are three main doxologies among Christian worshippers: the Gloria Excelsis, the Gloria Patri, and a variety of metrical doxologies, with the most popular being the doxology penned by 17th-century Anglican bishop and hymnwriter Thomas Ken. Titled “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow,” the doxology expresses fervent appreciation for the vast and awesome authority of God and is used in most Protestant worship services.
Short and considered easy-to-remember, the hymn reflects elements expressed in Ephesians 1:3. It is as follows:
“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”
Usually the hymn ends with a sung or chanted, “Amen.”
The Gloria Excelsis, also called the greater doxology, is usually sung in Latin and is a regular part of the Roman Catholic liturgy as well as the Anglican. It begins with the words the angels sang when announcing the birth of Jesus, then continues with heady expression of praise for the Lord:
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you,
we bless you,
we adore you,
we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of The Father,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father
have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.”
Finally, there is the Gloria Patri, or lesser doxology, also known as the “Glory Be to the Father” doxology. While the author is unknown, it is thought to have been penned in the 2nd century and reflects themes expressed in Matthew 28:19. This doxology, used often in Anglican and Lutheran churches, is as follows:
“Glory be to the Father, and to the Son:
and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be:
world without end. Amen.”
Why Do We Say the Doxology?
Doxologies are beautiful reminders of the glory, goodness, and power of the Lord God Almighty. Often, doxologies were used to signify changes in worship. For instance, after a psalm was read, the body might sing a doxology to signify the psalm had been read in total, and now the service was shifting to a new section.
But mostly, doxologies are sung because they are an easy, holy, uplifting way to praise God as one people, all of us lifting our voices in gratitude and praise for the One who made the universe and who gives all our blessings.
It is good, right, and natural to allow our feelings of adoration for the Lord to well up inside of us and then burst forth in song. These doxologies give expression to that feeling, assisting and directing us as we utter what we desire to communicate.
Also, the Bible tells us repeatedly that doxology is good and expected of us. In Ephesians 5:18-20, the apostle Paul tells us to be “filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Is the Doxology in Scripture?
While the word “doxology” doesn’t appear in the Bible, Scripture repeatedly underscores the importance of doxologies, as well as offers numerous examples.
First, we know that God made our hearts to long for him, and we’re told it is good for us to express appreciation for God in any and all ways we can.
Psalm 66:1-4 urges us, “Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious. Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing the praises of your name.’”
And Hebrews 13:15 commands, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.”
There are a host of doxologies throughout Scripture. For example, Mary, the mother of Jesus, offered a poignant song of praise to God in what is often called The Magnificat, meaning “my soul magnifies the Lord” in Latin. Mary’s song is delivered in Luke 1:46-55, beginning, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (v.46-47). It comes just after she encounters her cousin Elizabeth, whose unborn child — the prophet John the Baptist — leaps in her womb in response to the proximity of the Christ child. It captures the essence of wholehearted faith and worship.
Here are some others among a plethora contained within the 66 chapters of the Bible:
Psalm 41:13 - “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.”
Psalm 89:52 - “Praise be to the Lord forever! Amen and Amen.”
2 Corinthians 13:14 - “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
Romans 11:36 - “For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”
James 1:17 - “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Ephesians 3:21 - “To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
How Does the Doxology Help Us in Our Time of Worship?
Not only does the doxology help signify changes in worship, but more importantly, it helps us recenter our hearts, minds, and souls on the triune nature of God — that is, the Holy Trinity. It can sometimes be difficult for people to wrap their minds around the fact that God is three in one, encompassing God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. But all three are in tandem, comprising God in all his majesty. Singing the doxology reminds us of this important aspect of God and helps us surrender and glorify him.
Also, because these doxologies have been in existence for a very long time, they also help us embrace the vast history of the church and its traditions. This, in turn, also helps remind us of God’s own history — his timelessness — or it is God who created time and exists beyond it. Remembering God’s wonderful and changeless nature is a comfort as we praise him in song.
The doxology is also a simple lesson boiled down in a few short lines that help even the youngest among us, even children, to comprehend and praise God “from whom all blessings flow.”
If you’re not familiar with these doxologies, take some time to pray about them and sing them, both in your heart and aloud. It is good to praise the Lord!
Photo credit: Unsplash/mgmaasen
