TO GOD BE THE GLORY

When we pull out "To God Be the Glory" for Sunday Mass, there is an immediate shift in the energy of the choir loft. This is a hymn of absolute, uncontained praise. The words direct our attention straight to the magnitude of what God has accomplished for us, specifically the gift of His Son and the "perfect redemption" that follows. It is the kind of piece that demands a bright, full-throated sound from the very first beat.

As we move from the verses into the refrain, the call to "Praise the Lord" acts as a summons not just to the congregation, but to the whole earth. Singing about the "vilest offender" receiving pardon reminds us of the profound grace at the heart of our faith. We often use this as a recessional or a grand thanksgiving hymn, sending the people out with a renewed sense of joy and a clear reminder of the "great things He hath done."