|
Doxology
DOXOLOGY: a hymn or form of words containing an ascription of praise to God [from the Greek DOXA (praise) and LOGOS (word)]. In Christian worship, we hear the word used in several different ways: GREATER DOXOLOGY, or song of the angels: "Gloria in excelsis Deo" (Glory to God in the highest) LESSER DOXOLOGY: "Gloria Patri" (Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit . . .) METRIC DOXOLOGY: "Praise God from whom all blessings flow. . ." The New Testament contains a number of hymns of praise to God including the doxology at the end of Romans 11. Here are these wonderful verses in two different versions: ROMANS DOXOLOGY (Rom. 11:33-36) Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" [quote from Isaiah 40:13] "Who has ever given to God that God should repay him?" [quote from Job 41:11] For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever! AMEN! (New International Version) ROMANS DOXOLOGY (Rom. 11:33-36) Have you ever come on anything like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It’s way over our heads. We’ll never figure it out. Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice? Everything comes from him; Everything happens through him; Everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes. Yes. — Romans 11:33-36, from Eugene Peterson’s THE MESSAGE: THE NEW TESTAMENT IN CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH, Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1993. ================== SPECIAL INVITATION: ================== Did you know that these same verses from Romans 11 are used by Felix Mendelssohn at the end of Part I of his first oratorio, SAINT PAUL (1836). These are the last words sung before the intermission, and you can hear them under the baton of Carl Stam on April 23, 2002, IF you are within a reasonable drive of Louisville Kentucky. The performers are the Oratorio Chorus, the Seminary Orchestra, and a collection of terrific soloists—all from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The concert is free and open to the public and will be at 8:00pm in Alumni Memorial Chapel, 2825 Lexington Road. For more information, please call 502-897-4115. If you have friends or family in the Louisville area, please let them know about this performance (www.sbts.edu/oratoriochorus). Have a great week! Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Music and Worship Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky www.carlstam.org www.sbts.edu |