Chief
Chief of Sinners.
Composer: Fanny Crosby
1 To God be the glory, great things he has 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.
Refrain:
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 has done!
2 Great things he has taught us, great things he has done,
and great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son,
but purer and higher and greater will be
our joy and our wonder, when Jesus we see. [Refrain]
Story behind the song
The hymn "To God be the Glory" was written by Fanny Crosby and composed by William H. Doane. The circumstances of its composition are not known, but Crosby provided some insight into her creative process. The text of the hymn has a creedal quality and focuses on the glory of God's redemptive work in Christ. It differs from many of Crosby's other hymns in that it is more didactic and theological rather than a personal testimony. The hymn was initially more popular in the UK than in the US but experienced a resurgence in the mid-20th century due to its use in Billy Graham's crusades. Cliff Barrows, a collaborator of Graham, praised the hymn for its strong text of praise and attractive melody.