Bouncing off yesterday’s discussion of worship, I’d like to post the words to one of the early church’s oldest hymns, Te Deum laudamus (You Are God), dating back the 4th century.
The Te Deum was normally sung in chant. Note the depth of worship and sound doctrine, along with the thoroughly masculine themes. If you want to read more the history go here; if you want to hear it sung in Gregorian chant click here.
This version is from the Book of Common Prayer (1979).
The Te Deum was normally sung in chant. Note the depth of worship and sound doctrine, along with the thoroughly masculine themes. If you want to read more the history go here; if you want to hear it sung in Gregorian chant click here.
This version is from the Book of Common Prayer (1979).
You are God Te Deum laudamus
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 shun 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.
I use this hymn in my own devotions and with family. The beautiful and profound words and depth of meaning add much to my spiritual life. It helps me to have a glimpse of heavenly worship and to worship God in spirit and in truth.
The early church provided resources like this to help men pray and worship God. Memorized prayers and hymns helped men find the language to worship and to lead their families in worship. They are preserved for us in books like the Book of Common Prayer.
The precedent for fixed songs and prayers goes all the way back to Judaism, where men went to synagogue together every day to pray 19 specific memorized prayers. Jesus amended those prayers for the disciples in what we call the Lord’s Prayer, and told them to pray in that fixed form every day.
I encourage you to find resources like this that work for you, and then use them in your own devotional life and when you lead your family to worship.
The early church provided resources like this to help men pray and worship God. Memorized prayers and hymns helped men find the language to worship and to lead their families in worship. They are preserved for us in books like the Book of Common Prayer.
The precedent for fixed songs and prayers goes all the way back to Judaism, where men went to synagogue together every day to pray 19 specific memorized prayers. Jesus amended those prayers for the disciples in what we call the Lord’s Prayer, and told them to pray in that fixed form every day.
I encourage you to find resources like this that work for you, and then use them in your own devotional life and when you lead your family to worship.
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