Caeli Deus Sanctissime

O God, Whose Hand Hath Spread the Sky

Caeli Deus Sanctissime 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 Caeli Deus Sanctissime (1632). Both versions are shown below. It is sung at Wednesday Vespers in the Roman Breviary.

CAELI DEUS SANCTISSIME
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1. Caeli Deus Sanctissime
qui lucidum centrum poli
candore pingis igneo
augens decori lumine.

2. Quarto die qui flammeam
solis rotam constituens,
lunae ministras ordini,
vagos recursus siderum, 

3. Ut noctibus, vel lumini
diremptionis terminum,
primordiis et mensium
signum dares notissimum:

4. Illumina cor hominum,
absterge sordes mentium,
resolve culpae vinculum,
everte moles criminum.

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


CAELI DEUS SANCTISSIME (1632 Revision)

1. Caeli Deus Sanctissime
qui lucidas mundi plagas.
candore pingis igneo
augens decoro lumine.

2. Quarto die qui flammeam
dum solis accendis rotam,
lunae ministras ordinem,
vagosque cursus siderum.

3. Ut noctibus, vel lumini
diremptionis terminum,
primordiis et mensium
signum dares notissimum:

4. Expelle noctem cordium,
absterge sordes mentium,
resolve culpae vinculum,
everte moles criminum.

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


Contemporary version performed by Sator