Doxology is probably a familiar word to you. Derived from two Greek words, doxa, meaning “praise, glory” and logos, meaning “word” or “speaking”; doxology is a word of praise to God.
Many Christian churches use doxologies in their worship service to praise God and this is how you probably most associate the word. Gloria in Excelsis Deo (“Glory to God in the highest”) is often called the “Greater Doxology”.
The Gloria Patri (“Glory be to the Father”) is often called the “Lesser Doxology”.
Glory 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, amen.
And you may be familiar with the Doxology (called the Common Doxology) written by Anglican Bishop Thomas Ken in 1674.
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.
I grew up in a traditional church where we sang the Common Doxology at every Sunday service and sometimes the Lesser Doxology. I miss it now. I really do. Sometimes I sing the Common Doxology around the house and I have a sweet Siberian husky who always finds it extremely interesting. He will cock his head and listen intently. When I figured that out, I sing it more. And louder. Of course I only do this when I'm home alone. My family already thinks I'm a bit off.
[Although when I sing it I always notice the "Ghost" word because scholars say a better translation is "Spirit". But Spirit doesn't rhyme. So what's a person to do? Anyways, I'm veering off subject...]
The word “doxology” isn’t found in the Bible, but praising God can be found throughout Scripture.
Most of the Old Testament doxologies have some form of “Blessed be the Lord” or “Praise the Lord”. We especially associate doxologies with the Psalms.
Some samplings of Old Testament doxologies:
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!” Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord. 1 Chronicles 16:36
Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen. Psalm 41:13
Blessed be the LORD forever! Amen and Amen. Psalm 89:52
New Testament doxologies usually have some form of “Glory to God forever and ever. Amen.” Many of the New Testament books end with a doxology.
B.F. Westcott (A British bishop, biblical scholar and theologian who was most known for co-editing The New Testament in the Original Greek in 1881) catalogued sixteen doxologies in the New Testament:
Romans 11:36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
Romans 16:27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.
Galatians 1:5 to whom be glory for evermore. Amen.
Ephesians 3:21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Philippians 4:20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 6:16b To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
2 Timothy 4:18b to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:21b through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:11b so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.
2 Pet. 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Jude 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Revelation 1:6b to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 5:13b "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever."
Revelation 7:12 "Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen."
Don’t let worshipping God be something you just do on Sunday. Worship Him throughout your day. Read these doxologies. If you write in your Bible, write "doxology" by each of these verses. Memorize them. Doxologies should become a part of every Christian’s life. We should express our praise to Him frequently and with great joy.
Worship is a love exchange between us and God. It’s essential to our relationship with Him.
To Him be the glory, both now and forever. Amen.
Oh and by the way. The end of times ends with a doxology. Smile.