Behind the Doxology: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow is a popular Doxology in the protestant church. The song was often sung as a blessing when the offering was returned.

But, what is a doxology?

The word doxology means a short hymn of praises to God.

The tradition of a doxology began in the Jewish synagogue.

Various denominations have their own doxology or forms of praise to God.

Praise God, from Whom all Blessings Flow is sometimes known as the Old 100th, or the 100th Psalm, although it was first associated with Psalm 134 in the Genevan Psalter, which was a collection of songs compiled over the years to reflect the teachings of John Calvin and the Psalms. “Calvin intended the melodies to be sung in plainsong during church services, but harmonized versions were provided for singing at home.”

The song was written in 1674 by Thomas Ken, an English cleric. Five years later, he would

Bishop Thomas Ken

be appointed chaplain to Princess Mary, wife of William of Orange. He died in 1711.

Praise God was the final verse of two hymns, “Awake, my soul, and with the sun” and “Glory to thee, my God, this night” which was used for morning and evening worship at Winchester College.

Thomas Tallis separated this final verse from the hymns to sing on it’s own.

Many Mennonite congregations sing a longer and more embellished text setting of the song.

 

Praise God from Whom All Blessings flow orignated from two 17th Century songs #songstory Click To Tweet

 

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