“Glory to God alone”
The person who exhibited this idea best, in my view, was Johann Sebastian Bach. At the end of many pieces of his music he composed he would append this phrase. His music had been empowered by the Creator and all glory should go to Him.
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:16&17
Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Psalm 8 1&9
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Daniel 7:13 &14
I wonder what the world would look like if we all lived by this phrase!
A very grace filled world indeed!
You’re so right. For Bach the “SDG” wasn’t a token line at the end of a composition. He wanted his unique gifts to honour God and his greatness and grace. Over the centuries and world since then, people of any faith and no faith as well as Christians like us cannot listen to his music without being carried into a deeper awareness of the riches of God as written up in the Bible.
Not a bad message for any Christian artist, or for any Christian for that matter! In the era of ego we can easily forget that life is not about us.
It is kind of telling really that Bach was a composer for the people and gave God the glory…I wonder how a pop artist today would fare if at the end of every song they shouted out, “All glory to God alone!” Ah, the pining of earlier days! I think the verse that says that some of the first will be last and the last will be first, refers to just how darn hard it is to be a follower of Christ in these days and times. Oh, many stand under the banner of Christianity, but how many are really disciples and have chosen the narrow path? It is hard to lose one’s life in order to gain it in today’s society…some of us just darn well need to be fools for Christ and shout to all who would hear, “Soli Deo gloria!!!!”
You nail the challenge that we face passionately!