Glory Be to God the Father
Glory be to God the Father
Glory Be to God the Father is a hymn text by Nikolai Grundtvig (1817) in 8.7.8.7.8.8.7 meter. Translated by Peer Ø. Strømme. Found in CW21 608, CW93 239, ELH 410, elw 841. Sung to LAUDA ANIMA.
The hymn embodies the Lutheran emphasis on the triune God as the center of all worship and the source of salvation through Christ's redemptive work. Its doxological structure reflects the Reformation recovery of congregational hymnody as essential to corporate worship.
History & Background
Written by Nikolai Grundtvig in 1817 as part of his prolific hymn-writing ministry in Denmark. The hymn was translated into English by Peer Ø. Strømme and has become a standard Easter and general praise hymn in Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 608
- Christian Worship — 239
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 410
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 841
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 167
- Lutheran Service Book — 506
- Lutheran Worship — 173
- Trinity Hymnal — 164
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 244
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Nikolai Grundtvig (1783–1872), Denmark's foremost hymnodist and Lutheran theologian, this hymn recovers congregational song as essential worship. Grundtvig championed the living Word and sacramental faith.
Preaching Connection
This hymn's movement from human unworthiness to confident praise in Christ's redemption embodies the Law-Gospel proclamation, making it a powerful congregational echo of the cross's liberating power.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Third Article (Concerning Sanctification) Small Catechism — The Apostles' Creed
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From personal redemption and grateful praise, through God's consistent mercy toward His people, to His tender care and protection, culminating in the cosmic vision of angels and saints in eternal adoration
Background Research
Horatius Bonar, Hymns of Faith and Hope, 3rd series (1866), titled 'Praise', four 6-line stanzas. Each stanza ends with a shout of 'Glory' to the Trinity, the Lamb and the King, so it is essentially the heavenly worship of Rev 1:5–6 and 5:9–14 in hymn form. Two British supplements (1874, 1880) rearranged it with a different first line, and Julian notes the last stanza is sometimes sung alone as a doxology. Bonar (ordained 1837, minister at Kelso, joined the Free Church at the 1843 Disruption) died in 1889: TLH's '1899' is a typo (index note). Tunes: REGENT SQUARE (Smart, 1867) is the usual one; WORCESTER (Whinfield, US Episcopal Hymnal 1892), known for its rapid 'rocket' figure on 'glory'.
Sources: hymnary.org 'Glory be to God the Father' (citing Julian).
In the Church Year
Suggested in the one-year series
- Holy Trinity (4×)
Suggested in the three-year series
- Holy Trinity (4×)
- Proper 19 (3×)
- Easter 2 (2×)
- Last Sunday of the Church Year (2×)
From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.
Overview
A doxology hymn by the Scottish Free Church minister Horatius Bonar, built from the songs of Revelation. It gives glory to the Trinity (st. 1); to the Lamb who loved us, washed us and made us kings (st. 2); to Christ as King of angels, Church and nations (st. 3); and joins the angels' and creation's sevenfold praise (st. 4). Each stanza ends with 'Glory, glory' and a closing line. It is pure praise, but the praise is full of the Gospel (Rev 1:5-6; 5:9-13).
Central theme: Glory to the Triune God and to the Lamb who loved us and washed us in his blood
Structure
Four six-line stanzas (8.7.8.7.4.7). Trinity (1) — the Lamb (2) — the King (3) — heavenly and cosmic praise (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel: 'washed us from each spot and stain… bought us… the Lamb that once was slain' (2).
Confessional Connections
Redemption by Christ's blood and the royal priesthood of believers (Rev 1:6; 1 Pet 2:9; Ap XIII on priesthood). Christ's kingship over Church and world (the kingdoms of power, grace, and glory).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Trinity Sunday; general praise; Reformation; Christ the King.
Historical Notes
Bonar (1808-1889), Scottish Free Church minister, prolific hymnwriter. TLH's byline gives 1899 as his death year; he died in 1889.
About the Tune
WORCESTER (Walter G. Whinfield, 1919).
Scripture References
Rev 19:1 Rev 1:5-6 Rev 5:9-13 Rev 7:12 Matt 28:19 Rev 15:3 Ps 24:7-10 Rev 17:14 Eph 1:22
Stanza by Stanza
Glory to God the Father, glory to God the Son, glory to God the Spirit, great Jehovah, Three in One! Glory, glory, while eternal ages run!
A metrical Gloria Patri. 'Great Jehovah, Three in One' — the covenant name of Israel's God (Exod 3:14-15) belongs to the Trinity; Father, Son and Spirit are the one LORD (Deut 6:4; Matt 28:19). Praise 'while eternal ages run' — the Church begins on earth the worship that never ends.
- Scripture
- Matt 28:19, Deut 6:4, Exod 3:14-15, Rev 7:12, Eph 3:21
- Imagery & language
- Threefold glory.
- Law / Gospel
- Doxology.
- Connection to previous
- Opening.
Glory to him who loved us and washed us from every spot and stain; glory to him who bought us and made us kings to reign with him! Glory, glory to the Lamb once slain!
Rev 1:5-6: 'To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God.' Rev 5:9: 'by your blood you ransomed people for God.' The Gospel in four verbs: loved, washed, bought, made. 'Kings with Him to reign' — the royal priesthood (1 Pet 2:9; Rev 5:10). 'The Lamb that once was slain' — Christ's glory is the glory of the sacrificed Lamb (Rev 5:12).
- Scripture
- Rev 1:5-6, Rev 5:9-12, 1 Pet 2:9, Eph 5:25-27, 1 Pet 1:18-19
- Imagery & language
- Washing; purchase; kingship.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — love, cleansing, ransom, exaltation.
- Connection to previous
- Glory to the Redeemer.
Glory to the King of angels, glory to the Church's King, glory to the King of nations; heaven and earth, bring your praises! Glory, glory, sing to the King of Glory!
Christ's threefold kingship: over angels (Heb 1:6; Col 1:16), over the Church (Eph 1:22; 5:23), over the nations (Rev 15:3; 17:14). This corresponds to the Lutheran distinction of his kingdom of power (all creation), of grace (the Church), and of glory. 'King of Glory' — Ps 24:7-10.
- Scripture
- Heb 1:6, Col 1:16, Eph 1:22, Rev 15:3, Rev 17:14, Ps 24:7-10
- Imagery & language
- Threefold kingship.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ's universal reign.
- Connection to previous
- Glory to the King.
Glory, blessing, eternal praise! So sings the choir of angels; honor, riches, power, dominion! So creation brings its praise. Glory, glory, glory to the King of kings!
A weaving of Rev 5:12-13 ('Worthy is the Lamb… to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing') and 7:12. Angels and creation join; the Church on earth adds its voice. The climactic 'King of kings' returns to Christ (Rev 19:16).
- Scripture
- Rev 5:11-13, Rev 7:11-12, Rev 19:16, Ps 148
- Imagery & language
- Heavenly choir; creation's praise.
- Law / Gospel
- Doxology.
- Connection to previous
- Concluding doxology.
Themes
Praise and adoration The Trinity Divine glory Redemption through Christ