doxology

Doxology was built in post-classical Greek from doxa, glory or praise, and -logia, speaking or discourse. The form doxologia named a formula of praise addressed to God. By the early Christian centuries, Greek liturgy had many short endings of this type. The word itself describes praise as utterance.

Greek-speaking churches used such formulas in prayer, hymnody, and scriptural interpretation. The so-called lesser doxology, Glory be to the Father, and the greater doxology, Glory to God in the highest, became durable liturgical pieces. As Christianity spread, the concept traveled easily because the practice was memorable and repeatable. A compact sentence could carry doctrine.

Latin adopted the form as doxologia, and learned church language kept it alive through the medieval period. English took doxology in the 17th century, first in theological and liturgical writing. Its reference narrowed to brief hymns or formulas of praise, especially Trinitarian ones. Learned borrowing preserved a Greek church word almost intact.

Modern English still uses doxology mainly in worship and religious history. The best-known example for many English speakers is the metrical hymn beginning Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. The word has remained specialized because its home has remained ritual speech. Praise and wording still meet inside it.