Music: The Te Deum
Listen to this beautiful ancient hymn of the Church (English and Latin) and learn how you might incorporate it into your own spirituality and prayer life.
The Te Deum is a hymn directed to God. It's an ancient hymn in Catholic tradition that remains part of the official prayer of the Church, the Divine Office.
This Latin audio version above is sung by Harpa Dei—a brother and three sisters. (Click here for the Latin lyrics. English lyrics are below) You can find more of their music here. Below is a video of the same hymn but in English. It’s my personal favorite.
English Version
The Lyrics are at the bottom of this page
History
The Te Deum is attributed to St. Ambrose, but it’s authorship has never been truly nailed down. It’s ancient him in Catholic tradition. It may be unknown to many Catholics, but those who pray the Divine Office are familiar with it, as it is a permanent part of the Office of Readings said on Sundays and Holy Days.
It’s a beautiful hymn, both in its melody and especially its words. It’s a hymn of praise directed to God (Te Deum means “To God”), in the form of various phases of praise and glory. It’s for this reason that we’re offering it here. You’ll find it an interesting addition to your prayer life if you choose to pray, or sing it, or you may simply enjoy listening to it.
When to Pray
You can sing or recite the Te Deum any time of day. If you want to sing it you will find the video version (in English) is easier to follow and learn.
The Te Deum is traditionally said after the Office of Readings on Sundays and Holy Days. But you don’t have to say the Office of Readings in order to follow that tradition. Since the office of readings is said first thing in the morning, you might sing or recite the Te Deum in the morning on Sundays and Holy Days.
The words of the Te Deum also serve as a powerful prayer of thanksgiving after receiving Holy Communion. This can be done after returning to your pew following reception of the Eucharist, or after mass has ended. It’s a long prayer, but don’t worry, you don’t have to memorize it. Using a cheat sheet (on paper, or on your smartphone!) is perfectly acceptable. You’ll start to memorize it the more you pray it.
The Te Deum is a particularly powerful prayer tool for meditation. Take it line by line, or phrase by phrase, mediating on the words and expressions of the prayer. If something especially stands out for you, then just focus on that for as long as you want. When meditating on the Te Deum, it isn’t necessary to get through the entire prayer. You may only meditate on a few lines or phrases, or different sections. You may find yourself meditating on single words in the prayer.
Lyrics
English
Click here for the Latin lyrics. English lyrics are below
You are God: we praise you;
You are the Lord: we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free
you did not spurn the Virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death,
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come, and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.
Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance.
Govern and uphold them now and always.
Day by day we bless you.
We praise your name for ever.
Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, show us your love and mercy; for we put our trust in you.
In you, Lord, is our hope:
and we shall never hope in vain.
More Music
I’ll post another Sacred Music piece in a few weeks. Please follow me to be notified when I publish it. If you’d like to hear more, here is the first Sacred Music post I published back in May. This still takes me to another place, every time I listen to it.
Sacred Music: "Christus Factus Est"
Christus factus est (Christ became obedient) is taken from St. Paul’s letter to the Phlippians. It is a Gregorian gradual—a chant or hymn used in the mass. Here is my favorite recording of this ancient hymn, followed by some suggestions on how to incorporate it into your prayer life.
In the penal times in England, the staff and seminarians of the English College in Rome used to sing the Te Deum whenever they got word of another priest martyred for their faith. I often think of that when praying it.
Beautiful! We pray the Divine Office at church and at home. I prefer it in Latin, but it is beautiful in English as well. Thank you for sharing this. One thing I did not know is that it is thought to have been authored by St. Ambrose. St. Ambrose is dear to me, for he converted my love, my sweet St. Augustine of Hippo.