Daily Prayers

Gloria in Excelsis (Glory to God in the Highest)

Known as the Greater Doxology, this hymn grew out of the angels' song at Bethlehem (Luke 2:14) and was already used in Greek morning prayer by the fourth century.

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Glory be to God on high, and in earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesu Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Ancient Greek hymn; English text from the Book of Common Prayer (1662), public domain

About the prayer

It is sung at Mass on Sundays and feasts outside Advent and Lent, and appears in the Book of Common Prayer. It is praise before petition — the shape the Church gives to worship.

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