There is an alarming trend in our society and churches to diminish the power, infinite wisdom, infinite presence, and self-existence of God. Well, it may not be alarming to some, but it’s definitely alarming to me. I believe this trend is an attempt to bring God down to our level or at least to the level of Greek, Roman, or Norse gods. People want to feel they are in control of their destiny. They also don’t want to answer to an all-knowing and all-powerful God. Some scientists push science to the point that they believe science has eliminated the need for God. For finite beings with finite minds and finite abilities, the thoughts of eliminating the need for God should be unconscionable. We need to Praise, Honor, and Glorify God always.
Thine, 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.
Historical context
King David was at the end of his life and ending his reign over Israel. He had already announced that Solomon would be his successor as the new King of Israel. In chapter 29 of 1st Chronicles, David presents the offering for the first temple. He shares how much was collected for constructing the temple and praises the people for their generosity. Soon after this, with Solomon as king, Israel begins the construction of the first temple.
Praise, Honor and Glorify God
David shares a prayer of adoration to God and assigns glory to him as the God of Israel. Starting in verse 10, as David blesses God, “...Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.” 1 Chronicles 29:10 KJV. David’s prayer continues in verse 11 with a doxology much like the doxology found in Mathew 6:13, “for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever.” Jesus taught the Apostles how to pray and ended the prayer with a doxology. We should always praise God with holy awe, reverence, and affection, acknowledging his infinite perfection. We should not only affirm that God is great, powerful, and magnificent, but that his greatness, power, and glory are in and of himself. He is eternally sufficient and worthy because of His perfection.
Doxology – a liturgical formula of praise to God
The word doxology comes from the Greek doxa, “praise, adoration, and glory,” and logos, “a word, speaking.” Hence, the word literally means “a word of glory,” or a praising, acknowledging God’s unparalleled magnificence. Historically, a doxology must contain the Greek term doxa or, in English, glory. But any statement testifying to God’s glory can be considered a doxology. A doxology can also be a short hymn of praise, like “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow.”
Scriptures that Praise, Honor, and Glorify God
There are numerous doxologies within scripture. They share the writer’s adoration for God and the acknowledgment of His unparalleled majesty. These doxologies agree with the assertion that God is the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, self-existent creator, master, and sustainer of everything that ever was or will be. Our Triune Godhead – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are One and should be glorified as Lord over our lives and all of creation. This God is the God I serve and cherish. I serve the same God as the inspired authors of the numerous doxologies of scripture. Here are a few of those doxologies to ponder.