Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)

Soli Deo Gloria – The doctrine of Glory to God Alone. Often abbreviated as Abbreviated SDG. This is also one of the five solas. Stay tuned to this blog, as I will go over each one of them.

Soli Deo Gloria

You may have heard this Latin saying a lot. Everything that is done is for the Glory of God Alone. That is a great way to sum up the doctrine of soli deo gloria. It also removes self-glorification and pride from mankind. We as Christians know it is God’s glory and not our own glory. All we say and do is for the glory of God.

Bach & Soli Deo Gloria

Did you know that Johann Sebastian Bach known as Bach. Bach is a famous musician. He hoped that his music would point to the glory of God. Not to mention, Bach believed in soli deo gloria. He would write To the Glory of God Alone in his music. SDG was found affixed to all of his manuscripts.

To The Glory of God Alone as our only ambition.

One of Five Solas

This doctrine is one of five of the basic beliefs of the Reformers. Reports are not totally clear when these phrases were first used.

From Westminster Shorter Catechism

Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, “What is the chief end of man?” Answer: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God [1] and to enjoy him forever.” [2]

See Bible Verses toward the bottom of the blog post. Sections 1 & 2 are from the WSC while section 3 comes from my research on verses that associate with this doctrine.

Soli

Soli is Latin meaning alone or single. One form of the soli is solo. When a person sings by themselves, they are singing a solo.

Per the Latin Dictionary these are the forms of this word for Alone.

• Sola
• Solus
• Solum
• Solius
• Soli
• Solam
• Solum
• Solo
• Sole

Deo

Deo Latin God from Deus or God. Never use Dei. Dei is the famine version, thus making God a female. For example Soli Dei Gloria would mean Glory to god Alone, as in a female god. You may remember Gloria in excelsis Deo. That simply said Glory to God in the highest. That saying comes from the Greater Doxology hymn. Deo actually comes from the Latin word deus. Deus just simply means god or diety.

gloria

Gloria is Latin too. This Latin word means Glory. It can also mean glory, fame and honor.

Check out SDG (Soli Deo Gloria) ~ God’s Servant feat S.O.

God’s Serveant has this in his lyrics to his song. “All things made, they were made to adore Him.” Later on in the song he also says, “His glory’s shown in all of the things He’s made.” Check out the song and the lyrics at:

SDG (Soli Deo Gloria) by God’s Servant feat S.O.

Check out Shai Linne’s Song The Glory of God.

Part of Shai Linne’s lyrics read. “Let us consider the God who is there. Possessing a glory that’s not to be shared. God versus anyone- not even fair. How could you dare to try to compare.”
Check out this song and lyrics at:

The Glory of God by Shai Linne

Sources

• WikiPedia | Soli Deo Gloria
• Wikionary | Deus
• Wikionary | Gloria
• The Worship Community | Johann Sebastian Bach
• Christianity.com | Johann Sebastian Bach
• Ligonier | Glory to God Alone
• Five Solas | 5 Solas
• West Minister Shorter Catechism

[1] “Man’s chief end is to glorify God”

Psalm 86

Isaiah 60:21

Romans 11:36

For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

1 Corinthians 6:20, 10:31

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s…. Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Revelation 4:11

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

[2] “… and to enjoy him forever.”

Psalm 16:5-11

Psalm 144:15

Isaiah 12:2

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Luke 2:10

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Revelation 21:3-4

[3] Other Research Verse

1 Peter 4:11

Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 1:6

And He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:21

To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.  

Revelation 7:12

Saying,“Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

Do you know any other Bible verses to add for Soli Deo Gloria? If so please share them in the comments.

Sola Series

1. Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)
2. Sola Fide (Faith Alone)
3. Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)
4. Solus Christus or Solo Christo (Christ Alone)
5. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)

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