History of the Doxology
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.
-Thomas Ken
Introduction
One of the writers and podcasters here at R&C, Mr. John Fry, is beginning a new series on the Doxology. He graciously asked me to write on the history of the Doxology as an introduction to the series, and I graciously accepted.
When it comes to the Doxology and the history thereof, a few questions have to be asked from the outset:
What is a doxology?
What is the Doxology?
What do we do with the Doxology?
As we explore the history of the Doxology further, hopefully, this will give all of you Saints a better appreciation for the Doxology and its place in Christian piety and worship.
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What is A Doxology?
I normally roll my eyes when I read or hear people say, “Webster’s Dictionary defines such-and-such as xyz.” To save myself an eye roll…the Oxford English Dictionary defines doxology as “a liturgical formula of praise to God.”
Admittedly, liturgy is my love language, and I found this definition to my liking, but I believe it’s a few steps ahead of its original definition. Yes, it is true that we have come to use doxologies in the liturgical settings of our corporate worship, but it still begs the questions of what and why? What is a doxology and why is a doxology liturgical?
Doxology is an English transliterated worship that comes from two Greek words, doxa and logia. Doxa means “glory” and logia means “speech”. Therefore, we can conclude that doxology is glorious speech, or to speak of glory, or praise. My personal definition is that a doxology is a spoken word of praise to God, praising Him for His glory and honor.
We see doxologies all over the Scriptures, and they take a variety of forms. In the Old Testament, we see doxologies throughout the Psalms, and all take on a similar form:
Blessed be the LORD God of Israel,
From everlasting, and to everlasting.
Amen, and Amen.
(Psalm 41:13 KJV)
In the New Testament, we see the Apostles ending their epistles in doxologies. The doxology at the end of Jude is a great example:
Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling,
and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To the only wise God our Saviour,
be glory and majesty,
dominion and power,
both now and ever.
Amen.
(Jude 24-25 KJV)
In this doxology (and the one prior), the Lord’s brother does two key things which need to be pointed out:
The doxology does what we mentioned above: Jude praises God.
The doxology also serves as a call and blessing to the people to praise God.
This leads us back to Oxford’s definition of doxology, being “a liturgical formula of praise to God.” Because doxologies are blessings and call for Saints to partake in praising God, the Church over time has incorporated doxologies into their worship. Whether the Church has used doxologies from Holy Scripture or made up their own, the Church has used doxologies as a normal rhythm in the liturgical life of the church in her corporate worship.
What is the Doxology?
Since we know what doxologies are from the Scriptures, what is the Doxology we’re specifically talking about here? The Doxology is a short hymn of praise to the Triune God: Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav’nly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
From personal liturgical experience, our Church sings the Doxology every Day of the Lord. It is the exclamation mark of our Liturgy of the Word. After we have finished our Scripture readings, heard the preaching of the Word, done our responsive Psalm reading, and enjoyed a time of congregational prayer, we lift our hands and sing the Doxology. We are calling all of creation and blessing the Church in giving all praise and honor to the Triune God who has called us into His presence to worship and renew covenant with Him.
The tune for the Doxology is referred to as “Old Hundreth” and was used in the Genevan Psalter and was written by a French Reformed Christian named Louis Bourgeois. The Doxology lyrics were written by Thomas Ken, an English Bishop of the Church of England. Ken wrote a Morning Hymn that was comprised of 14 stanzas, and the Doxology we have today is actually the last stanza of his Morning Hymn.
What do we do with the Doxology?
There’s a lot we could do with the Doxology, but long and short of it is that we should sing it. The Doxology has been part of the Church since 1709. The Doxology has stood the test of time and its lyrics are simple, beautiful, and wholly biblical. Given R&C’s mission to upholding Reformed Catholicity, there is another, rather important, thing I want to point out about the Doxology.
The Doxology is thoroughly Ecumenical. The Doxology is sung in many Baptist and Presbyterian Churches today. Not only that, but its lyrics were written by an Anglican Bishop. Its tune is written by a French Huguenot, and was placed in a Continental Reformed hymnbook. The Lord has so willed that the Doxology become part of the Church, and not just one flavor of the Church. The Doxology is for all Christians of all denominations with proper Orthodoxy.
There is a popular saying among Reformed folk, “Right Orthodoxy leads to Right Doxology.” When the Church’s doctrine is right, its worship will be right. The use of the Doxology within a wide range of churches is a good indicator that they are orthodox churches. In a sense, the Doxology itself can be a bridge between denominations.
Can you imagine it? You’re a Baptist or Presbyterian. You’re sitting at a coffee shop, or getting your tires replaced, or at the grocery store, and you begin to hear someone sing the Doxology, and you decide to join in. You find out after the fact that the person singing is a member of an Anglican or Lutheran Church. You may not believe all the exact same things as him or her, but that person is a saint. You both believe the words you just sang.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heav’nly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
The Doxology is a liturgical formula of praise from God’s people. It calls God’s people to praise. It blesses God’s people. 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. And whether you are Baptist, Presbyterian, Anglican, Lutheran, Huguenot, or Continental Reformed, you can sing a hearty Amen to the words of the Doxology.