Doxology

A doxology is a hymn sung in praise of the Trinity in various Christian liturgies.

In Latin, a doxology is added to many hymns and psalms when they are used in Roman Catholic worship. A typical doxology in Latin goes:

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et in sæcula sæculorum, Amen.

(Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, and now, and forever, Amen.)

Several English doxologies are in frequent use in Protestant worship. Two that are frequently encountered in many different denominations go:

Glory be to the Father

And to the Son

And to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning,

Is now, and ever shall be;

World without end, amen, amen.

This one translates the Latin doxology fairly literally. Another that is found among many denominations goes:

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Another familiar doxology is the phrase at the end of the traditional Lord's Prayer not found in the original scripture: "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever, amen."

Because most Christian worship services include a doxology, and these hymns therefore were familiar and well-practiced among church choirs, the English word sockdolager arose, a deformation of doxology, which came to mean a "show-stopper," a production number.