To God be the Glory
Hymn History
By Savannah Logan
The beloved hymn “To God be the Glory” is a powerful declaration of faith, written by the prolific hymnwriter Fanny J. Crosby. Born on March 24, 1820, in Putnam County, New York, Crosby lost her sight as an infant due to a medical mishap. However, she never harbored resentment for the doctor’s mistake, instead embracing her life with unwavering trust in God’s purpose. From an early age, she memorized vast portions of the Bible, including the first four books of the Old Testament and the four Gospels. Her remarkable memory and deep faith shaped her into one of the most influential hymnwriters in history.
Throughout her lifetime, Crosby penned thousands of hymns, but “To God be the Glory” gained prominence in a unique way. Though it was initially introduced in England during an evangelistic crusade led by D.L. Moody, the hymn was not widely recognized in America until 1952, when Billy Graham brought it to the forefront during his London crusade. From that moment, it became a cherished anthem of praise in churches across the United States.
The hymn’s music was composed by William H. Doane, a businessman and inventor who had a deep passion for music. Born in 1832 in Preston, Connecticut, Doane composed over 2,000 hymn tunes, many of them in collaboration with Crosby. His melody for “To God be the Glory” beautifully complements Crosby’s lyrics, which celebrate salvation as God’s greatest gift to humanity.
The hymn’s verses emphasize that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross brings redemption to all who believe. The refrain resounds with joyous praise, calling believers to lift their voices in gratitude. The final stanza reminds us that, like Crosby herself, we are all “blind” when it comes to heaven, but one day, we will experience the glory of seeing Jesus face to face.
As we sing “To God be the Glory”, we are reminded to shift our focus from human recognition to divine praise. All glory belongs to God alone, for His love, grace, and the salvation offered through Christ.
