To God Be the Glory

Fanny J. Crosby 1875 Tune: To God Be the Glory (11.11.11.11 with refrain)

Fanny Crosby's exuberant doxology to the God who gave His Son for sinners.

Quick Answer

Fanny Crosby's exuberant doxology to the God who gave His Son for sinners. Written by Fanny J. Crosby (1875), set to the tune "To God Be the Glory" by William H. Doane.

Suggested pairing scripture

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Read John 3:16 (KJV) aloud as a call to worship before the congregation sings "To God Be the Glory." It anchors the hymn in the Word from which it flows.

Read in context

When to sing this

Sing on Good Friday, during Holy Week reflections, and at the Lord's Supper as the congregation contemplates the cross.

Lyrics

Stanza 1

To God be the glory, great things He hath done! So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, And opened the life-gate that all may go in. 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.

Stanza 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.

Stanza 3

Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done, And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son; But purer, and higher, and greater will be Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

History & Background

Blind hymn-writer Fanny Crosby wrote the words around 1875, set to a tune by her frequent collaborator William Doane. Largely forgotten in America for decades, it was rediscovered when Cliff Barrows introduced it at the 1954 Billy Graham crusade in London, after which it spread worldwide.

Scripture Behind the Hymn

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Read in context

1 Corinthians 10:31

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

Read in context

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was this hymn forgotten in America?

It was published in 1875 but never gained traction in the US. Cliff Barrows revived it for Billy Graham's 1954 London crusade, and the British response made it a worldwide standard.