Doxology Doctrine: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
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.
Amen.
Introduction
Preceding this four-part series is an article detailing the History of the Doxology, which serves as an introduction to the present work. Within that article, Rob Smith asks, “What do we do with the Doxology?” Such a question implies the practicality of the Doxology and that the centuries-old words are no static composition. Rob goes on to pose the following Trinitarian-laced answer, saying, “It is through the Doxology that God’s people praise God for His glory in the face of Jesus Christ and in the power of His Holy Spirit.” In short, what we do with the Doxology is present in its first two words: Praise God.
For the biblical writers, the word praise relays commendation and approval (see Psalm 150), and ascribing commendation to our Lord is nothing short of partaking in worship. Therefore, when God’s people sing the phrase, “Praise God,” they are “doing something” with the Doxology . . . They are worshipping God the Father.
How does one take words from a psalter or hymnal and worship God? Under the heading “Of Singing the Psalms” within the Directory for the Public Worship of God, we read that “the chief care must be to sing with understanding, and with grace in the heart” (see Colossians 1:9-10). This charge asserts that worship through song consists, in part, of God’s people singing words that they understand. Therefore, to worship God through singing the first line of the Doxology, one must comprehend what it means that all blessings flow from Him
The Blessing of Salvation
Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow. This statement identifies the praise-receiving God as the source of all blessings, which makes him worthy of commendation and approval. As the first line of the Doxology progresses, it formulates a line of thanks to God for his character and works. The worshiper commends God for the blessings (works) but also for being generous enough to share his infinite resources with his people (character). Such a statement within line one of the Doxology teaches the hearers a lesson consistent with Holy Scripture by echoing James, who writes, “Every good thing given and every gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (James 1:17). In the immediate context, James teaches that regeneration is a blessing from God (v. 18). Here, James shows the Church that one of the primary blessings flowing from God is salvation, so when we sing “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow,” we understand that one of those blessings is salvation given to the elect “Of his own will” (James 1:18; cf. Ephesians 1:11).
The Blessing of Sustenance
Genesis chapters 37-50 recall the winding road of Joseph’s life. He went from favorite to foreigner fast. After his brothers’ selling him into slavery, an unfaithful woman framing him, and a lengthy sentencing in prison, the Lord ascends Joseph to second in command in all of Egypt. One of the macroscopic purposes of God in Joseph’s life was to provide his people with physical sustenance during a seven-year famine (Genesis 41:25-45; 47:12). Along the same thread of sustenance, later in Israel’s history, Moses reminds Israel of God’s provision of manna in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:2-3). In 1 Kings 17:6, Yahweh provides Elijah with bread and meat from ravens. And in Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus promises his people food and clothing. For this reason, God’s people are not to be anxious over such matters. Therefore, when we sing “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow,” we understand that one of those blessings is anxiety-expelling sustenance given to the children of God (Genesis 41:25-45; 47:12; Deuteronomy 8:2-3; 1 Kings 17:1-6; Psalm 34:10; Matthew 6:25-34).
The Blessing of Suffering
Another lesson that Deuteronomy 8:2-3 teaches is that God allows temporal suffering to reveal to us the condition of our hearts. This truth is a blessing indeed. In Psalm 34, King David declares, “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (v. 1). David understands that suffering in the form of fear (v. 4), trouble (v. 6), a broken heart (v. 18), a crushed spirt (v. 18), and affliction (v. 19) are never reasons to withhold praising the One from whom all blessings flow, for such predicaments are blessings in and of themselves. Such occurrences are opportunities to grow in Christlikeness; they are occasions to receive comfort from the Comforter (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). Therefore, when we sing “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow,” we understand that one of those blessings is suffering.
Conclusion
Here we highlight just three of the types of blessings we find in Scripture to fill our hearts and minds with prior to singing them aloud to our Lord. By his grace, the children of God may ascribe commendation and approval to their Father with understanding and grace in their hearts for their salvation in Christ, sustenance from God, and suffering that drives them to the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
