The Doxology
Open Your Bible
Psalm 150, Matthew 6:9-13, Philippians 4:4, 1 Peter 1:3-5
BY Ellie Holcomb
There is such beauty in singing His praises—not just in church, but in our dirty kitchens, with breaking hearts, in the middle of our unmet longings, or at the end of our weary days. Praise turns our hearts from ourselves toward the One we were made to adore—toward the One who adores us, to the One who was broken for us, and to the One from whom all blessings flow.
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”
– Psalm 150:6
Over and over in Scripture, there are commands and exhortations to give God praise. Praise rings out all over the Psalms. Paul tells us to “rejoice always” (Phil 4:4). God asks us to praise Him, even when our hearts are heavy. The Lord’s Prayer opens with praise: “Our Father, in heaven, hallowed be Thy name” (Matt 6:19).
There’s a lovely mystery to rejoicing always, to choosing to praise God in every moment. How on earth is that possible? Always?
We have walked through some seriously heartbreaking circumstances with dear friends and family over the past few months. Praising God feels like the opposite of what I want do most of the time, especially in the middle of such sadness. But as I direct my heart back to the Cross and the empty grave, I begin to remember that we do have this Living Hope, even in the middle of the most desperate circumstances.
I don’t know how to rejoice always, but I do know that every time I remember who He is—and how He gave Himself up for us so that we could know wholeness—something shifts in my heart, even when it’s breaking.
So let’s listen to the invitations and encouragement all throughout Scripture today, dear sisters. Let’s raise our voices as creatures here below and let them mingle with the saints that have gone before us and with the heavenly hosts, to give praise to the Author of every blessing and to the One who gives us a Living Hope, even on our darkest days.
THE DOXOLOGY
by Thomas Ken, 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.
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114 thoughts on "The Doxology"
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Needed this during this trying time. Praising Him shifts my focus from me to Him! Thank you!
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Nothing like singing this A Capella! 4 part harmony—and to think that isn’t even close to the harmony we will know in heaven!
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The doxology brings me back to my childhood when I would go to church with my grandparents. The doxology was sang after the collection of the offering. I like the idea of falling back on it especially during trying circumstances.
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I LOVE the doxology. I sing it a lot, when I don’t know what to pray, when I don’t want to be grateful, or when I’m just in a good mood. I learned this habit from my mama
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I’ve never heard that verse! Thanks so much for sharing!
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Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
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Even in the hard times I have a hope. Jesus✨
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At my church we end every Sunday service singing two versus of the doxology. The second stanza we sing is as follows:
Praise God for all that he is done,
Praise Him for He has overcome
The grave is beaten, love has won.
Praise God our savior, Christ the Son.
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