Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#636

636. Glory to the Father

Glory to the Father, glory to the Son,
glory to the Holy Spirit, three in one
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be,
world without end. Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Glory to the Father
• Title: Glory to the Father
• Meter: PM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Topic: Doxologies; Songs for Children: Hymns; Trinity
• Source: Gloria Patri, the Lesser Doxology, 2nd cent

Tune Information

• Name: BETHEL PARK
• Composer: John Erickson (1984)
• Meter: PM
• Key: D Major
• Copyright: © John Erickson

Text Information:

"Glory to the Father" is a modern translation of the traditional Latin Gloria Patri or "Lesser Doxology" (see PHH 635 for discussion of that text). This translation is similar to one recommended by the International Consultation on English Texts (ICET), which reads as follows:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

-ICET version, 1975

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

John Erickson (b. Ottawa, IL, 1938) composed BETHEL PARK in 1984 for use at Christ United Methodist Church in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, where he was organist and director of worship. Although the setting of the Gloria Patri at 635 is intended for part singing, BETHEL PARK is meant for unison voices. Sing the half-note rhythms crisply and use bright organ sounds for accompaniment.

Erickson was educated at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, Illinois, and at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. His choral music illustrates that he has been strongly influenced by the English tradition of cathedral music. He has served as music director in several churches and since 1982 has been organist and director of worship at Christ United Methodist Church.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook