Father of Glory to Thy Name
Father of glory to thy name
Father of Glory to Thy Name is a hymn text by Unknown (1800) in C.M. meter. Found in tlh 248. Sung to BELMONT.
This hymn emphasizes God's glory, majesty, and worthiness of praise, central to Lutheran liturgical worship. It reflects the Reformation emphasis on the sovereignty and transcendence of God demanding human response of adoration.
History & Background
This hymn of unknown authorship appears in American hymnals of the nineteenth century. It was included in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) as hymn 248.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 248
Bulletin Note
This early nineteenth-century hymn reflects Lutheran Reformation piety, calling believers to contemplate divine transcendence. Its Common Meter structure echoes the hymnody of Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley, making it accessible across traditions.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Reformation's passionate proclamation of God's absolute sovereignty and transcendence, inviting the hearer to move from recognition of divine majesty to a gospel response of thanksgiving and worship.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From conviction of sin and burden (Law) to confidence in Christ's hearing and answering (Gospel) to assurance of complete provision (Gospel) to commitment in pilgrimage (Gospel)
Overview
A Trinitarian doxology-hymn by Isaac Watts in the language of a royal amnesty. The Father 'proclaims an act of grace' and bids rebels live (st. 1); the Son makes the Father's anger cease, ransoming our lives with his own and making peace (st. 2); the Spirit teaches and trains us for heaven (st. 3); let all nations spread God's honor (st. 4) and saints on earth and in heaven join in harmony (st. 5).
Central theme: The Triune God's pardon of rebels — the Father's amnesty, the Son's ransom, the Spirit's training
Structure
Five common-meter quatrains. Father (1) — Son (2) — Spirit (3) — nations (4) — saints in earth and heaven (5).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'us rebels'; 'Thine anger' (1-2). Gospel: 'an act of grace'; 'died to make our peace' (1-2).
Confessional Connections
Ps 135:1 (TLH's text): 'Praise the name of the LORD.' 'An act of grace' — in Watts's day the legal term for a royal general pardon: God's free justification of the ungodly (Rom 4:5; AC IV). St. 2: the Son 'makes Thine anger cease' — propitiation (Rom 3:25; Ap IV.40: Christ 'the propitiator'); real wrath, really removed. 'Our lives He ransomed with His own' (Mark 10:45). St. 3: the Spirit 'train[s] us up for heaven' (Titus 2:11-12) — sanctification follows justification (FC III.41).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Holy Trinity; general praise.
Historical Notes
From Watts's doxologies appended to his Psalms of David Imitated (1719) or Hymns (c. 1721) (verify).
About the Tune
NUN DANKET ALL' (Johann Crüger, 1653).
Scripture References
Ps 135:1 Ezek 18:32 Rom 5:10 Rom 5:1 Rom 3:25 Mark 10:45 Col 1:20 John 14:26 Titus 2:11-12 Ps 96:3 Matt 28:19 Heb 12:22-23 Rev 5:13
Stanza by Stanza
Father of glory, we give undying praise to your name, for you proclaim an act of grace and command us rebels to live.
'I have no pleasure in the death of anyone… so turn, and live' (Ezek 18:32). 'While we were enemies we were reconciled' (Rom 5:10). 'An act of grace' = a royal amnesty.
- Scripture
- Ps 135:1, Ezek 18:32, Rom 5:10, Eph 1:17
- Imagery & language
- Father of glory; act of grace; rebels live.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — rebels; Gospel — amnesty.
- Connection to previous
- Father's amnesty.
Undying honor to the Son, who makes your anger cease; he ransomed our lives with his own and died to make our peace.
'Whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood' (Rom 3:25). 'Making peace by the blood of his cross' (Col 1:20). 'A ransom for many' (Mark 10:45). 'Peace with God' (Rom 5:1).
- Scripture
- Rom 3:25, Col 1:20, Mark 10:45, Rom 5:1
- Imagery & language
- Anger ceased; ransom; peace.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — propitiation.
- Connection to previous
- Son's ransom.
Undying glory be given to your almighty Spirit, whose teachings bring us near to you and train us for heaven.
'He will teach you all things' (John 14:26). Grace 'training us' (Titus 2:11-12).
- Scripture
- John 14:26, Titus 2:11-12, Eph 2:18
- Imagery & language
- Spirit; teaching; trained for heaven.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — sanctification.
- Connection to previous
- Spirit's training.
Let people adore the eternal God with united voice and spread his honor and their joy through faraway nations.
'Declare his glory among the nations' (Ps 96:3). The Great Commission in the Triune name (Matt 28:19).
- Scripture
- Ps 96:3, Matt 28:19
- Imagery & language
- United voice; nations.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — mission.
- Connection to previous
- Nations.
Let faith, love and duty join to raise one grateful song; let saints on earth and in heaven combine in harmony and praise.
Faith working through love (Gal 5:6). The earthly and heavenly Church joined (Heb 12:22-23; Rev 5:13).
- Scripture
- Gal 5:6, Heb 12:22-23, Rev 5:13
- Imagery & language
- Faith, love, duty; saints in earth and heaven.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — one Church in praise.
- Connection to previous
- One song.
Themes
Adoration of God Divine glory and majesty Thanksgiving and praise God's faithfulness Worship