The writer of this beloved hymn hardly needs an introduction. Fanny Crosby whose actual name was Frances Jane van Alstyne born March 24, 1820, and wrote more than 8,000 hymns. She lived a fascinating 94 years of life, that would be well worth your time to read about.
But we are focusing on one hymn today-
“To God be the Glory.”
This hymn was written around 1872 with the tune written by William Howard Doane (1832-1915). Doane was a choir director and successful wood-making machinery inventor. Together, that they composed this hymn that was more popular in Europe than America at that time.
This song of praise glories in our redemption and pardon of sin, freely received through the blood of Christ. That last phrase of the first verse originally mentioned God opening “the life-gate that all may go in.” This is a reference to Matthew 7:14, when Jesus taught about the kingdom gospel. Here we described a future works-based salvation as part of a covenant with the nation, Israel.
We replaced the original line with a true statement for today’s dispensation in the spirit of Romans 5:8.
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Only Christ could die for us; no other man could (Ephesians 1:22)!
1.To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
Commendeth His love that He spared not His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And offered salvation that’s free to all men.
2. O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
Chorus: Praise the Lord! Let the Earth hear His voice.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the Earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice.
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done.
Nice post!