Generous God

Scott McFarland
11/26/23 - Sun AM Worship

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

As we conclude our Thanksgiving weekend and families begin making their way back home, I wanted to share with you something that began for me a few weeks ago.  The other week, on a Sunday or Wednesday night, we were led in a closing song, The Doxology.  It had been a while since I last sang it and I began thinking back to singing it as a boy.  I have always liked The Doxology for its simplicity and timelessness.  It is old—published in 1709—and has been sung for generations.  Here are the words:

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.

The author of The Doxology is Thomas Ken.  Thomas was orphaned as a child and was raised by his older sister and her husband.  He went to college and entered the ministry, holding several different positions and eventually becoming a chaplain in the court of English King Charles II.

The Doxology was originally written as a common ending to three different songs, but the ending stuck and the original songs are unfamiliar to most today.  Its simple call for praise and acknowledgment of God’s blessing is a needed reminder, especially in our abundant modern era.  James 1:17 says that every good and perfect gift comes down from the father of lights.  As we wrap up our weekend of giving thanks and move into the Christmas season, let us not forget to praise God for every good and perfect gift!

Scott McFarland