Te Deum - You, God

Today, for those who pray the Liturgy of the Hours, the Te Deum is prayed. This hymn will be prayed every day during the octave of Easter as well as the Sundays of Easter. It's name, Te Deum, comes from the opening line, "Te Deum Laudamus --- You, God, we praise!"

Historically, it was said that the hymn was written and sung by St. Ambrose and St. Augustine on the night of St. Augustine's baptism around the year 387 A.D. More recent scholarship says it was written by Nicetas of Remesiana (modern day Romania) 100 years later. During the Jubilee Year of the Church in 2000, Pope John Paul II declared this hymn the Jubilee Hymn.

YOU ARE GOD (Te Deum)

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 the 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.

V. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance.

R. Govern and uphold them now and always.

V. Day by day we bless you.

R. We praise your name for ever.

V. Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.

R. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.

V. Lord, show us your love and mercy;

R. for we put our trust in you.

V. In you, Lord, is our hope:

R. and we shall never hope in vain.