Glory to God (hymnal)

Glory to God (hymnal). Officially titled Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal, it is the primary hymnal authorized for use by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Published in 2013 by Westminster John Knox Press, it succeeded the 1990 The Presbyterian Hymnal. The collection was developed under the editorship of David Eicher and a denominational committee to reflect contemporary theological, cultural, and musical diversity within modern American Presbyterianism.

History and development

The development of Glory to God was initiated by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Office of Theology and Worship following the 2006 General Assembly. A hymnal committee, chaired by editor David Eicher, was appointed to oversee a seven-year process of selection and creation. This effort sought to address evolving worship practices and incorporate a broader global perspective than its predecessor. The committee engaged in extensive consultation with congregations, musicians, and theologians, reviewing thousands of submissions and existing works from sources like the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. The process emphasized representing the full diversity of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its ecumenical partners, culminating in official approval at the 2012 General Assembly in Pittsburgh.

Content and structure

The hymnal contains 853 musical pieces, including hymns, psalms, spirituals, and service music. It is organized into thematic sections that follow the narrative of the Christian year, beginning with sections on the Trinity and God's majesty, moving through the life of Jesus Christ, and concluding with themes of mission and eternal life. Significant space is devoted to psalm settings, including responsorial and metrical psalms. The collection intentionally expands beyond traditional Western European sources to include numerous works from Global South composers, African-American spirituals, and contemporary songwriters. Each entry includes suggested scriptural references, and the volume features comprehensive indexes for topics, tunes, meters, and scriptural allusions.

Musical and liturgical characteristics

Musically, Glory to God demonstrates a commitment to pluralism, encompassing styles from Genevan psalm tunes and Lutheran chorales to gospel music, global music, and modern folk-inspired compositions. It includes works by composers such as John L. Bell, Jane Marshall, and Carl P. Daw Jr.. Liturgically, it provides robust resources for the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, as well as for services of Marriage and funerals. The hymnal encourages congregational participation through a mix of familiar and new material, often featuring accessible harmonies and varied instrumentation suggestions. Its liturgical guidelines align with the directory for worship found in the Book of Order.

Publication and editions

The hymnal was first published in 2013 by Westminster John Knox Press, the publishing arm of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It was released in multiple formats, including a durable pew edition, a larger-print accompaniment edition for musicians, and a full accompaniment edition with detailed performance notes. Subsequent electronic editions and licensing agreements have been made available through partnerships with organizations like Logos Bible Software and SongSelect by CCLI. These digital platforms provide access to the full content for projection and audio use in worship services. The publication was a significant undertaking for Westminster John Knox Press, involving extensive coordination with the Committee on Congregational Song.

Reception and influence

Upon its release, Glory to God was generally received as a successful and necessary update that reflected the 21st-century church. It has been widely adopted by congregations within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and has also found use in other mainline Protestant denominations such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the United Church of Christ. Scholars and worship leaders have praised its theological depth, cultural breadth, and practical utility. The hymnal has influenced subsequent worship resources and has been the subject of study at institutions like Princeton Theological Seminary and Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Its compilation process is often cited as a model for collaborative, denomination-wide liturgical renewal.

Category:Presbyterian hymnals Category:2013 books Category:English-language hymnals