About the Hymn
Lyrics: Fanny J. Crosby
Fanny J. Crosby was one of the most prolific hymn writers in church history, writing over 8,000 hymns despite being blind from infancy. Her hymns are known for their strong emphasis on salvation, assurance, and joyful worship.
This hymn emphasises God’s work in salvation and calls believers to respond with joyful praise.
Hymn Lyrics
Verse 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.
Chorus
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.
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.
Chorus
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.
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 transport, when Jesus we see.
Chorus
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.
Verse-by-Verse Meaning
Verse 1 — God’s Glory Revealed Through Salvation
The hymn begins by giving all glory and praise to God for the great things He has done. It reminds us that salvation is God’s work, not man’s achievement.
“So loved He the world”
The phrase reminds us of John 3:16. God loved the world so much that He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to save sinners. Though we were separated from God because of sin, God made a way for us to be forgiven and brought back to Him.
“Who yielded His life, an atonement for sin,”
The line points to the death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus willingly gave His life to pay the price for our sins. Through His death, forgiveness and salvation are made possible for all who believe in Him.
The hymn then says that Christ “opened the life-gate that all may go in.” Through Jesus, the way to eternal life has been opened to everyone. Anyone who comes to Him in faith can receive salvation.
Verse 2 — The Promise of Forgiveness Through Christ
This verse speaks about the perfect redemption that God has provided through Jesus Christ. The phrase “the purchase of blood” reminds us that our salvation came at a great cost. Jesus shed His blood and gave His life on the cross so that sinners could be forgiven and brought back to God.
The hymn then speaks of “the promise of God” to every believer. Salvation is not based on our goodness or effort, but on God’s promise to save those who place their faith in His Son.
One of the most encouraging lines in the hymn is:
“The vilest offender who truly believes,”
This reminds us that no sinner is beyond God’s grace. No matter how sinful a person may be, forgiveness is available through Jesus Christ to all who truly repent and believe in Him.
The final line shows how immediate this forgiveness is:
“That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.”
The moment a sinner comes to Christ in true faith, he is forgiven. Salvation is not something we slowly earn over time. It is a gift of God’s grace received through faith in Jesus Christ.
Verse 3 — Greater Joy Awaits When We See Christ
This verse begins by praising God for all that He has taught us and all that He has done for us through Jesus Christ. Through His Word, God teaches us His truth, His salvation, and how we are to live as His people.
Because of what Christ has done, believers can rejoice with great joy. Our sins have been forgiven, we have peace with God, and we have the hope of eternal life through Jesus the Son.
Yet the hymn reminds us that even greater joy is still to come:
“But purer and higher and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.”
What we experience now is only a small glimpse of what awaits us in eternity. One day, believers will see Lord Jesus Christ face to face. When that day comes, our joy, wonder, and praise will be far greater than anything we have known on earth.
Chorus — A Call for All People to Praise God
The chorus is a joyful call for all people everywhere to praise the Lord. The repeated words “Praise the Lord” express excitement, gratitude, and worship for what God has done through Jesus Christ.
“Let the earth hear His voice!”
The line reminds believers to boldly proclaim God’s truth to the world. The good news of salvation is not meant to be hidden, but shared so that others may also come to know Him.
“O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,”
The words remind us that Jesus Christ is the way to God. Through Him, sinners can come into a right relationship with the Father and receive the gift of salvation.
The chorus ends by once again giving all glory to God:
“And give Him the glory; great things He hath done.”
Every blessing of salvation points back to God’s greatness, love, and grace. The hymn encourages believers not only to sing with their lips, but also to respond with thankful and joyful hearts.
Key Bible Verses
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 5:8
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 10:13
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Revelation 5:13
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
Reflection Questions
- Do you truly rejoice in the salvation that God has given you through Jesus Christ?
- Do you believe that no sinner is beyond the grace and forgiveness of God?
- Does the hope of seeing Christ one day shape the way you live today?
- Who can you share the good news of Jesus Christ with this week?
