Plasmator Hominis Deus / Hominis Superne Conditor

Fresco in the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Plasmator Hominis Deus is attributed to St. Gregory the Great (540-604).  In 1632, in accordance with revisions made to the hymns of the Divine Office by Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644), it was altered and changed to Hominis Superne Conditor. Both versions are shown below. It is sung at Friday Vespers in the Roman Breviary.


Performed by Giovanni Vianini

PLASMATOR HOMINIS DEUS by St. Gregory the Great
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1. Plasmator hominis, Deus,
qui cuncta solus ordinans,
humum iubes producere
reptantis et ferae genus:

2. Qui magna rerum corpora,
dictu iubentis vivida,
ut serviant per ordinem
subdens dedisti homini: 

3. Repelle a servis tuis,
quicquid per immunditiam,
aut moribus se suggerit,
aut actibus se interserit.

4. Da gaudiorum praemia,
da gratiarum munera:
dissolve litis vincula,
astringe pacis foedera.

5. Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum. Amen


HOMINIS SUPERNE CONDITOR (1632 Revision)

1. Hominis superne Conditor,
qui cuncta solus ordinans,
humum iubes producere
reptantis et ferae genus:

2. Et magna rerum corpora,
dictu iubentis vivida,
per temporum certas vices
obtemperare servulis:

3. Repelle, quod cupidinis
ciente vi nos impetit,
aut moribus se suggerit,
aut actibus se interserit.

4. Da gaudiorum praemia,
da gratiarum munera:
dissolve litis vincula,
astringe pacis foedera.

5. Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum. Amen