Morning Prayer: About the "Glory Be"
The Glory Be (“Glory to the Father…”) is one of the oldest Christian doxologies, dating to the 2nd–3rd century; it appears constantly in Morning Prayer because it “seals” every psalm with a Trinitarian lens; and the sign of the cross is used with it because it is the most compact, bodily confession of the Trinity.
1. Where the Glory Be came from
The prayer is ancient—older than the Nicene Creed, older than most formal liturgical texts, and probably rooted in the earliest Christian house‑church worship.
Its origins
The earliest form appears in the Apostolic Constitutions (late 200s).
It was used as a doxology—a short burst of praise—whenever Scripture was proclaimed.
The original form was simply: “Glory to the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit.”
By the 4th century, during the Arian controversies, Christians expanded it to emphasize the eternity of the Son and Spirit: “…as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.” This was a theological line in the sand: Christ is not a creature. The Trinity is eternal.
So, the Glory Be is not filler. It is a miniature creed.
2. Why it appears so often in Morning Prayer
Every psalm in the Liturgy of the Hours ends with the Glory Be. That’s not accidental.
Why?
Because Christians inherited the psalms from Judaism, but they read them through Christ.
The Glory Be does three things at the end of each psalm:
Re‑frames the psalm in a Trinitarian key The psalm may speak of enemies, kings, battles, lament, or temple worship. The doxology “Christianizes” it—placing it inside the life of the Trinity.
Unites the Church’s voice across time “As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever” is a reminder that we pray with the whole Church—past, present, and future.
Prevents the psalm from being read as merely historical The doxology lifts it from ancient Israel’s story into the Church’s prayer today.
This is why the Glory Be is everywhere in Morning Prayer: it is the hinge that turns Hebrew poetry into Christian liturgy.
3. Why the sign of the cross is used with it
Strictly speaking, the rubrics do not require the sign of the cross at the Glory Be in the Liturgy of the Hours, but many Catholics do it instinctively, and for good reason.
Why the instinct exists
Because the Glory Be is:
Trinitarian
A confession of faith
A miniature creed
A moment of praise
And the sign of the cross is the most ancient bodily way to express all of that.
Historically
Christians have been making the sign of the cross since at least the early 200s (Tertullian describes it as universal). It was used:
at doxologies
at blessings
at the mention of the Trinity
at the proclamation of the Gospel
So, when the Glory Be invokes the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the body naturally follows the words.
In short
The sign of the cross is not a rule here—it’s a gesture of instinctive reverence, a way of letting the body join the prayer.
4. Why Protestants differ
An earlier Morning Prayer post discussed kneeling and posture differences; the same historical forces apply here.
Reformation-era concerns
Many Reformers:
removed doxologies from psalms
avoided Trinitarian formulas attached to Scripture
minimized gestures they associated with “Catholic ritualism”
So, the Glory Be and the sign of the cross faded in many Protestant traditions.
Orthodox practice
The Eastern Churches:
use the Glory Be constantly
make the sign of the cross frequently
but do not attach it to every psalm in the same way the Roman Office does
Their liturgical instinct is similar, but the structure of their Hours is different.
5. What all this means for your Morning Prayer today
When you pray the Glory Be at the end of each psalm, you are:
joining the earliest Christians
proclaiming the Trinity
placing the psalm inside Christ’s story
uniting your voice with the Church across time
letting your body speak the same faith your lips speak
It’s small, but it’s not small. It’s the whole Christian mystery in one breath.
Note about Morning Prayer: Each morning prayer post reflects on one phrase from the Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. which can be found in the iBreviary (a downloadable app), Universalis (website) or Divine Office (publication and website).
post production may be assisted by AI in image generation and content (research and wording)
Read more Morning Prayer posts.
Morning Prayer posts inspired by Being Catholic in Troubled Times (Dennis Ortman)
Book Description:
These are times that try our souls. This book is addressed to all, not just Catholics, who search for deeper meaning in tough times. Our age is marked by division and alienation. We long for some message that will bring peace to our world and our hearts.
This book suggests that the Catholic faith can provide strength in these troubled times. The word "catholic" means "all-embracing, universal." Nothing is excluded in the catholic mind. The truth that sets us free can be found everywhere, especially in unexpected places. It is often hidden in plain sight. In our darkest moments, we find new light and life. When we are most despairing, a ray of hope shines through.
Dr. Dennis Ortman, former priest and current psychologist, is the author of Anger Anonymous, Anxiety Anonymous, Depression Anonymous, Being Catholic in Troubled Times, and Life, Liberty, and COVID-19.
For more posts by and about Dennis and his award-winning books, click HERE.
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