This hymn was written by Horatius Bonar in 1866, and was published in his Hymns of Faith and Hope in 4 stanzas of 6 lines, and entitled “Praise.” It is included in several collections in Great Britain and America, in its original form. The last stanza is sometimes used as a doxology distinct from the hymn itself1. The hymn was written for an English Presbyterian Church hymn book. It is based on the 4th-century ‘conclusion’, Gloria Patri, known as the ‘Lesser Doxology’, sung at the end of psalms and canticles2.
Glory be to God the Father,
Glory be to God the Son,
Glory be to God the Spirit:
Great Jehovah, Three in One!
Glory, glory while eternal ages run!
Glory be to him who loved us,
Washed us from each spot and stain;
Glory be to him who bought us,
Made us kings with him to reign!
Glory, glory to the Lamb that once was slain!
Glory to the King of angels,
Glory to the Church’s King,
Glory to the King of nations;
Heav’n and earth your praises bring!
Glory, glory, to the King of glory sing!
Glory, blessing, praise eternal!
Thus the choir of angels sings;
Honour, riches, pow’r, dominion!
Thus its praise creation brings.
1hymnary.org/text/glory_be_to_god_the_father_glory_be_to
2music.churchofscotland.org.uk/hymn/110-glory-be-to-god-the-father
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