TCATS #490 - To God Be the Glory

There isn't a lot to comment on regarding this week's choir experience. I was absent Thursday night (celebrating my ex-wife's 50th birthday) which meant that today I had the opportunity to observe the rehearsal and broadcast from the designated balcony seats. Unfortunately, I didn't really feel a lot--which makes it hard to figure out what to write about today. But I thought I'd highlight one of the songs the Choir sang today which is a lovely new piece that Ryan Murphy arranged. It's called "To God Be the Glory". 

This particular song (words by Fanny Crosby, music by William Doane) became a popular hymn after it was programmed in Billy Graham’s Crusades of the 1950s--though it was first published in the year 1875. As the popularity of the song grew, it began to be included in most Christian churches' hymnbooks (though of course, it wasn't included in ours). 

I thought it was interesting that in Ryan's arrangement, some words were added/altered. Particularly, all of verse 2 has been replaced with lyrics from another song called "We Praise Thee, We Bless Thee". Interestingly enough, the lyrics for that song also come from Fanny Crosby.

While this is purely speculation on my part, I would guess that verse 2 was replaced because gospel doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not teach that a person, from the very moment they believe in Christ, will automatically receive forgiveness. Belief in Christ needs to be coupled with good works, and the work of repentance must be undertaken before that forgiveness is given.

Verse 2 does have some things to be appreciated though. Christ's atonement is a perfect redemption. The promises of God are real. Christ loves all who believe in Him. And those who do believe, regardless of what they've done, can absolutely tap into Christ's grace--from that very first moment of belief, throughout their ensuing journey.

If I got the opportunity to make some edits myself, I'd change what I've highlighted in red. Because, after all, we do believe in a Heavenly Mother and I have absolutely no doubt that She has, with our Father, done many great things for each of us.

Verse 1
To God be the glory, great things He hath They have done;
So loved He They the world that He They gave us His Their Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.

Refrain
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 our Parents, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him Them the glory, great things He hath They have done.

Verse 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.

All honor and praise to Thy excellent name.
Thy love is unchanging, forever the same.
We bless and adore Thee our Heavenly King.
With joy and thanksgiving Thy mercies we sing.

Verse 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 rapture transport, when Jesus we see.
 

 Until next time, God be with you.