Matthew West - Praise The Lord (To God Be the Glory) Lyrics
Lyrics
Verse 1
To God be the glory, great things He has done
He so loved the world that He gave us His son
Who gave up His life, the forgiveness of sin
The gates open wide, He has welcomed us in
Chorus
Oh, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice
Oh, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice
Oh, come to the Father through Jesus His son
And give Him the glory, great things He has done
Post-Chorus
Praise the Lord (Praise the Lord)
Praise the Lord (Praise the Lord)
To God be the glory
Verse 2
Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood
To every believer the promise of God
The vilest offender who truly believes
That moment from Jesus, a pardon receives
Chorus
Oh, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice
Oh, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice
Oh, come to the Father through Jesus His son
And give Him the glory, great things He has done
Post-Chorus
Praise the Lord (Praise the Lord)
Praise the Lord (Praise the Lord)
To God be the glory
Praise the Lord (Praise the Lord)
Praise the Lord (Praise the Lord)
To God be the glory
Bridge
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 wonder, our transport when Jesus we see
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord
Oh, to God be the glory
Chorus
Oh, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice
Oh, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice
Oh, come to the Father through Jesus His son
And give Him the glory, great things He has done
Oh, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice
Oh, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice
Oh, come to the Father through Jesus His son
And give Him the glory, great things He has done
Post-Chorus
Praise the Lord (Praise the Lord)
Praise the Lord (Praise the Lord)
To God be the glory
Praise the Lord (Praise the Lord)
Praise the Lord (Praise the Lord)
Oh, to God be the glory
Praise the Lord
Video
Matthew West - Praise The Lord (To God Be The Glory) [Official Audio Video]
Meaning & Inspiration
Matthew West’s "Praise The Lord (To God Be the Glory)," featured on the 2023 release *My Story Your Glory (Expanded Edition)*, is a powerful and direct affirmation of Christian faith, built upon the foundational truth of God's redemptive work. The song wastes no time in establishing its core message, opening with a clear declaration of God’s glory and the magnitude of His actions. The narrative woven through the lyrics centers on the profound love of God, demonstrated through the ultimate sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. This act of love, as articulated in the verses, offers forgiveness of sins and opens the gates to salvation, a concept deeply rooted in scripture like John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." The song emphasizes the accessibility of this redemption, extending even to those who feel like the "vilest offender," drawing parallels to Jesus's own words and ministry as recorded in Luke 19:10: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
The chorus acts as a resounding call to worship, urging both the earth and its inhabitants to acknowledge and celebrate God’s voice and His mighty deeds. It’s an invitation to come to the Father through Jesus, reiterating the central tenet of Christian belief: salvation is found solely through Christ. This echoes the sentiment in Acts 4:12, where Peter declares, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." The repetition of "Praise the Lord" and "To God be the glory" serves not just as a musical refrain but as a deliberate reinforcement of the song's theological purpose, encouraging listeners to internalize the message and make it their own prayer and confession.
The bridge elevates the reflection further, looking beyond the current experience of God's teaching and done, to the unparalleled joy that awaits in the future when believers will ultimately see Jesus. This perspective offers a profound sense of hope and anticipation, grounded in biblical promises of Christ’s return and the eternal communion believers will share. The song’s strength lies in its unwavering focus on scripture and its ability to translate theological truths into accessible and inspiring language. It’s a musical sermon, urging listeners to actively participate in praise and to understand the profound significance of God's grace, not as a passive concept, but as an active, life-changing reality that deserves unceasing gratitude.