The Doxology: Words, Meaning, and 12 Doxologies from Scripture
A doxology is a short hymn or sentence of praise to God. The best-known, "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow," is sung in many churches after the offering.
Where it goes in the service
Most often sung by the whole congregation, standing, as the offering is presented. Also used to close a psalm or prayer (Gloria Patri), at the end of a service, or at a table grace. Fifteen to thirty seconds.
What is a doxology?
Doxology comes from two Greek words, doxa ("glory") and logos ("word"): a word of glory. In worship it means any short, formal ascription of praise to God, usually ending in "Amen."
When people say "the Doxology," they almost always mean the closing verse of hymns written by the Anglican bishop Thomas Ken in the late 1600s: "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow." It is usually sung to the tune OLD HUNDREDTH from the 1551 Genevan Psalter, and many Protestant churches sing it every week as the offering is brought forward.
The older "lesser doxology," the Gloria Patri ("Glory be to the Father..."), is said or sung at the end of psalms in Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Methodist worship. The "greater doxology" is the Gloria in excelsis ("Glory to God in the highest").
Scripture is full of doxologies. Paul breaks into one in the middle of Romans 11, and several New Testament letters end with one. Many of the benedictions churches use are really doxologies: they give glory to God rather than pronounce a blessing on the people.
14 doxologies you can use this Sunday
Free to copy, print, and project. Scripture is quoted from public-domain translations, so no permission is required.
The Common Doxology (Thomas Ken)
HymnPraise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Thomas Ken (public domain)
Gloria Patri (the Lesser Doxology)
HymnGlory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Traditional (public domain)
Of Him, Through Him, To Him
ScriptureFor of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Romans 11:36 (KJV)
Exceeding Abundantly
ScriptureNow unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV)
The King Eternal
ScriptureNow unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17 (KJV)
Able to Keep You from Falling
ScriptureNow 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)
Every Creature in Heaven and Earth
ScriptureBlessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
Revelation 5:13 (KJV)
Unto Him That Loved Us
ScriptureUnto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 1:5-6 (KJV)
Thine Is the Greatness
ScriptureThine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.
1 Chronicles 29:11 (KJV)
Let the Whole Earth Be Filled
ScriptureBlessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
Psalm 72:18-19 (KJV)
Grow in Grace
ScriptureGrow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18 (KJV)
To God Only Wise
ScriptureTo God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
Romans 16:27 (KJV)
Our Father
ScriptureNow unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Philippians 4:20 (KJV)
Glory and Dominion
ScriptureTo him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:11 (KJV)
How to write your own
- 1Address God, name what he has done or who he is, give him the glory, and end with Amen. That is the whole shape.
- 2Keep it to one sentence. A doxology that needs a second breath has become a prayer.
- 3Borrow the grammar of scripture: "Now unto him that..." followed by one thing God does, then "be glory."
- 4If the congregation will sing it, match the meter of OLD HUNDREDTH (8.8.8.8) so it fits the tune they already know.
How different traditions handle it
Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran liturgies use the Gloria Patri after psalms and the Gloria in excelsis near the start of the Eucharist. Many Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, and non-denominational churches sing Ken's doxology at the offering; some hymnals print a revised, gender-inclusive wording, so check which text your congregation knows. Reformed churches often close with a scriptural doxology such as Jude 24-25.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Doxology?
Usually the four-line hymn verse "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow," written by Thomas Ken and sung in many churches as the offering is received. More broadly, a doxology is any short statement of praise giving glory to God.
What does doxology mean?
It means "a word of glory," from the Greek doxa (glory) and logos (word).
What are the words to the Doxology?
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Who wrote the Doxology?
Thomas Ken, a Church of England bishop, wrote the words as the final verse of morning and evening hymns in the late 1600s. The usual tune, OLD HUNDREDTH, comes from the Genevan Psalter of 1551.
When is the Doxology sung?
Most often when the offering is brought forward, with the congregation standing. Some churches sing it to open or close the service instead.
What is the difference between a doxology and a benediction?
A doxology gives glory to God; a benediction pronounces God's blessing on the people. Jude 24-25 is a doxology; Numbers 6:24-26 is a benediction.
Keep a record of what was actually said
The doxology you wrote is in your notes. The sermon that went with it usually isn't. Transcribe every service and build a searchable archive your congregation can go back to: the Church Plan is $19/month for as many sermons as you preach.
Related parts of the service
Offertory Prayers
An offertory prayer is the short prayer said over the offering, dedicating both the gifts and the givers to God.
Benedictions
A benediction is the spoken blessing that sends a congregation out at the end of worship, not a closing prayer, but a pronouncement of God's favor over his people.
Calls to Worship
A call to worship is the opening words of a service: a summons, usually from the Psalms, that tells a gathered crowd it has become a worshiping congregation.
Closing Prayers for Church Services
A closing prayer gathers up what happened in a service and sends the congregation into the week with it.
Everything else in the service
Planning the rest of the service
- Sermon resources for all 66 books: themes, famous chapters, and preaching notes to pair with the readings.
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