Where True Love is Dwelling, God is Dwelling There

12th Century Byzantine Mosaic - Courtesy Wikipedia

Where True Love is Dwelling, God is Dwelling There is written by the Scottish Jesuit Priest, Fr. James J. Quinn (1919-2010). In the Divine Office (1974) it is sung with the Office of Readings. The recommended tune in the Office is Gott Ein Vater by Friedrich Silcher (1789-1860). An alternative tune that can also be used is Quietude (Green), as featured in the following video.


Alternative Tune: Quietude (Green)

Come Spirit Blest, with God the Son / Nunc, Sancte, Nobis Spiritus

Painting by Carlo Dolci - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Come Spirit Blest, with God the Son is an 1852 translation by the Anglican priest, scholar and hymn-writer John M. Neale of the Office hymn for Terce: Nunc Sanc­te No­bis Spir­it­us, attributed to St. Am­brose of Mi­lan (337-397). In the Divine Office (1974), Come Spirit Blest with God the Son is used with the Office of Readings. The recommended musical setting is the tune: St. Ambrose. An alternative tune that can also be used is Eisenach, as featured in the following video.


Alternative Tune: Eisenach

COME, HOLY GHOST, WITH GOD THE SON by John M. Neale, 1852 (Public Domain)

1. Come, Holy Ghost, with God the Son
And God the Father, ever One;
Shed forth Thy grace within our breast,
And dwell with us a ready Guest.

2. By every power, by heart and tongue,
By act and deed, Thy praise be sung;
Inflame with perfect love each sense,
That others’ souls may kindle thence.

3. O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, Thine only Son,
Who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee,
Shall live and reign eternally.


Ambrosian Chant

NUNC, SANCTE, NOBIS SPIRITUS attributed to St. Ambrose (Public Domain)

1. Nunc, Sancte, nobis, Spiritus,
Unum Patri cum Filio,
Dignare promptus ingeri
Nostro refusus pectori.

2. Os, lingua, mens, sensus, vigor
Confessionem personent.
Flammescat igne caritas,
Accéndat ardor proximos.

3. Præsta, Pater piissime,
Patríque compar Unice,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
Regnans per omne sæculum. Amen.


Gregorian Chant

How Great the Tale

Nave of Boyle Abbey, Co. Roscommon, Ireland - Courtesy of Wikipedia

How Great the Tale is a translation by the Gaelic scholar and writer, El­ea­nor H. Hull (1860-1935) of a poem by Donough O'Daly (d.1244). Also referred to as Donnchadh Mór Ó Dálaigh, he came from a family of celebrated Irish poets, and is thought by some historians to have been the Abbot of Boyle Abbey, where he is believed to be buried. In the Divine Office (1974), How Great the Tale is one of the hymns selected for use with the Office of Readings. The recommended musical setting is the tune: Munster. An alternative tune that can also be used is the Old Hundredth, as featured in the following video.


Alternative Tune: Old 100th

Bright as Fire in Darkness

Leadpoint on Wood by Girolamo dai Libri - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Bright as Fire in Darkness is written by the Benedictine Nuns of Stanbrook Abbey. In the Divine Office (1974) it is sung with the Office of Readings. The recommended musical setting is Gott Ein Vater by Friedrich Silcher (1789-1860). An alternative tune that can also be used is Quietude (Green), as featured in the following video.

Alternative Tune: Quietude (Green)

Worship, Glory, Praise and Honour

Stained Glass - Almudena Cathedral, Madrid - Courtesy Wikipedia

Worship, Glory, Praise and Honour is accredited to M.A.P. Wood. In the Divine Office (1974) it is sung with the Office of Readings. The recommended musical setting is the 1853 tune: Laus Deo (Redhead 46) by the Anglican organist and composer, Richard Redhead (1820-1901).


Tune: Laus Deo (Redhead 46)

Sing My Tongue of Warfare Ended / Pange Lingua, Gloriosi Proelium Certaminis / + Crux Fidelis

Painting by Gerard David - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Sing My Tongue of Warfare Ended is a translation by Monsignor Ronald A. Knox (1888 - 1957) of the opening 5 verses (+ doxology) of the 6th century Latin hymn: Pange Lingua Gloriosi Proelium Certaminis by Venantius Fortunatus (c.530-c.600/609). As poet of the Merovingian Court, he composed the hymn for the procession that brought a relic of the True Cross to Queen Radegund in 570. In the Mass, this hymn has been traditionally chanted during the Adoration of the Cross on Good Friday. In the Roman Breviary it has been divided into shorter hymns (eg. Crux Fidelis - see 2nd video) which are used during Holy Week. It is believed that Fortunatus' work inspired St. Thomas Aquinas to write his great hymn for the Feast of Corpus Christi: Pange Lingua Gloriosi Corporis Mysterium. In the Divine Office (1974), Fr. Knox's translation: Sing My Tongue of Warfare Ended is sung on Good Friday with the Office of Readings. The Divine Office recommends the tune: Mannheim by Friedrich Filitz (1804-1876). An alternative tune that can also be used is Picardy, as featured in the following video.


Alternative Tune: Picardy

PANGE, LINGUA, GLORIOSI PROELIUM CERTAMINIS

1. Pange, lingua, gloriosi
proelium certaminis,
et super Crucis trophaeo
dic triumphum nobilem,
qualiter Redemptor orbis
immolatus vicerit.

2. De parentis protoplasti
fraude Factor condolens,
quando pomi noxialis
morte morsu corruit,
ipse lignum tunc notavit,
damna ligni ut solveret.

3. Hoc opus nostrae salutis
ordo depoposcerat,
multiformis proditoris
ars ut artem falleret,
et medelam ferret inde,
hostis unde laeserat.

4. Quando venit ergo sacri
plenitudo temporis,
missus est ab arce Patris
natus, orbis, Conditor,
atque ventre virginali
carne factus prodiit.

5. Vagit infans inter arcta
conditus praesepia:
membra pannis involuta
Virgo Mater alligat:
et manus pedesque et crura
stricta cingit fascia.

6. Lustra sex qui iam peracta
tempus implens corporis,
se volente, natus ad hoc,
passioni deditus,
Agnus in crucis levatur
immolandus stipite.

7. En acetum, fel, arundo,
sputa, clavi, lancea:
mite corpus perforatur,
Sanguis, unda profluit
terra, pontus, astra, mundis,
quo lavantur flumine!

8. Crux fidelis,
inter omnes
arbor una nobilis;
nulla talem silva profert,
flore, fronde, germine.
Dulce lignum, dulci clavo,
dulce pondus sustinens!

9. Flecte ramos, arbor alta,
tensa laxa viscera,
et rigor lentescat ille,
quem dedit nativas,
ut superni membra Regis
miti tendas stipite.

10. Sola digna tu fuisti
ferre saeculi pretium,
atque portum praeparare
nauta mundo naufrago,
quem sacer cruor perunxit,
fusus Agni corpore.

11. Aequa Patri Filioque,
inclito Paraclito,
sempiterna sit beatae
Trinitati gloria,
cuius alma nos redemit
atque servat gratia. Amen.
 

Crux Fidelis (Drawn from verses: 8, 1-3, 11 above)

CRUX FIDELIS

1. Crux fidelis,
inter omnes
arbor una nobilis;
nulla talem silva profert,
flore, fronde, germine.
Dulce lignum, dulci clavo,
dulce pondus sustinens!

2. Pange, lingua, gloriosi
proelium certaminis,
et super Crucis trophaeo
dic triumphum nobilem,
qualiter Redemptor orbis
immolatus vicerit.

3. De parentis protoplasti
fraude Factor condolens,
quando pomi noxialis
morte morsu corruit,
ipse lignum tunc notavit,
damna ligni ut solveret.

4. Hoc opus nostrae salutis
ordo depoposcerat,
multiformis proditoris
ars ut artem falleret,
et medelam ferret inde,
hostis unde laeserat.

4. Quando venit ergo sacri
plenitudo temporis,
missus est ab arce Patris
natus, orbis, Conditor,
atque ventre virginali
carne factus prodiit.

5. Aequa Patri Filioque,
inclito Paraclito,
sempiterna sit beatae
Trinitati gloria,
cuius alma nos redemit
atque servat gratia. Amen.

His Cross Stands Empty

Painting by James Tissot - Courtesy of Wikipedia

His Cross Stands Empty is written by the Benedictine Nuns of Stanbrook Abbey. In the Divine Office (1974), it is used with the Office of Readings on Holy Saturday. The suggested musical setting in the Divine Office is the 1861 tune: Eventide by William Henry Monk (1823-1889), as featured in the following video. Curiously, Eventide's hymn meter (10.10.10.10) does not match the meter of His Cross Stands Empty (11.8.11.8). The Divine Office makes note of this and has likely recommended Eventide because the words can be adapted to fit this melody, and (because 11.8.11.8 is so rarely used) there are very few 11.8.11.8 meter tunes that could otherwise be used.

Tune: Eventide (Meter: 10.10.10.10)

Liturgical Guide: Office of Readings (Matins)

"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." - Acts 16:25

The hymns selected for the Office of Readings (Matins) in the Liturgy of the Hours prepare our hearts and minds for the contemplation of the Word of God. While today's Matins has retained some of it's former character as a nocturnal prayer (and can still be used as such), the modern Office of Readings can be prayed at any time during the day because it takes it's theme not from the time of day (as the other hours) but rather, from the seasons and feast days that make up the liturgical year.

LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)

186. God of Truth Prepare Our Minds

187. Lord, Your Word Abiding

188. God, Whose Almighty Word

189. Eternal Father, Through Your Word

190. In Ancient Times God Spoke to Man

191. Lord Jesus, Once You Spoke to Men

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
132. Be Thou My Vision
133. O God of Truth Prepare Our Minds
134. Worship, Glory, Praise and Honour
135. Bright as Fire in Darkness
136. Eternal Father, Through Your Word
137. In Ancient Times, God Spoke to Man
138. How Great the Tale
139. This Day, at Thy Creating Word
140. All Creatures of Our God and King
141. Come Spirit Blest, with God the Son
142. O God of Truth and Lord of Power
143. O God, Creation's Secret Force
144. Where True Love is Dwelling, God is Dwelling There
145. God Hath Spoken by His Prophets
146. Immortal, Invisible

ROMAN BREVIARY
Aeterna Lux, Divinitas
Consors Paterni Luminis
Noc­te Sur­gen­es
Nox Atra Rerum Contegit
Rerum Creator Optime
Somno Refectis Artubus
Summae Deus Clementiae
Summae Parens Clementiae
Te Deum
Tu Trinitatis Unitas

O God of Truth and Lord of Power / Rector Potens Verax Deus

Whose Fiery Sun at Noonday Shines

O God of Truth and Lord of Power is an 1852 translation by the Anglican priest, scholar and hymn-writer John M. Neale of the Office hymn for Sext: Rec­tor Po­tens, Ver­ax De­us, attributed to St. Am­brose of Mi­lan (337-397). In the Divine Office (1974), O God of Truth and Lord of Power is used with the Office of Readings. The recommended tune in the Office is Severn View. An alternative tune that can also be used is Winchester New, as featured in the following video.


Tune: Winchester New

O GOD OF TRUTH, O LORD OF MIGHT by John Mason Neale, 1852 (Public Domain)

1. O God of truth, O Lord of might,
Who ord’rest time and change aright,
Bright’ning the morn with golden gleams,
Kindling the noonday’s fiery beams.

2. Quench Thou in us the flame of strife,
From passion’s heat preserve our life,
Our bodies keep from perils free,
And give our souls true peace in Thee.

3. Almighty Father, hear my cry
Through Jesus Christ our Lord most high,
Who with the Holy Ghost and Thee
Doth live and reign eternally.


Gregorian

RECTOR POTENS, VERAX DEUS

1. Rector potens, verax Deus,
qui temperas rerum vices,
splendore mane instruis
et ignibus meridiem,

2. Extingue flammas litium,
aufer calorem noxium,
confer salutem corporum
veramque pacem cordium.

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

Lord Jesus, Once You Spoke to Men

O Help Us Listen Now, As Then

Lord Jesus, Once You Spoke to Men was written by the Rev. Canon Howard Charles Adie Gaunt (1902-1983). Known as Tom Gaunt, he served as headmaster of Malvern College, UK from 1937–1953. He was a contributor to the British supplementary hymn collection: 100 Hymns for Today, first published in 1969. Although in the Divine Office it is set to the tune O Jesu Mi Dulcissime, it is more commonly associated with the tune, Winchester New (as featured in the following video). In the Liturgy of the Hours, Lord Jesus, Once You Spoke to Men is used with the Office of Readings.


Tune: Winchester New

In Ancient Times God Spoke to Man

Now He Speaks Though His Son

In Ancient Times God Spoke to Man was written by the Benedictine Nuns of Stanbrook Abbey. It is sung to the tune, Herr Jesu Christ Meins first published in the As Hymnodus Sacer of 1625. An alternative tune that can be used is Duke Street, as featured in the video below. Later revised with inclusive language as: In Ancient Times God Spoke to Us, it is just one of a number of hymns contributed to the Divine Office by Stanbrook Abbey. Throughout the past century the Benedictine Nuns have been actively involved as translators, editors, and printers of many of the revisions to the Office. As far back as 1915, according to the reforms of St. Pius X, they translated a parallel English text to go alongside the Latin in the Roman Breviary. An account of their various (and often anonymous) contributions can be found here. In the Liturgy of the Hours, In Ancient Times God Spoke to Man is used in the Office of Readings.

Tune: Duke Street

Lord, Your Word Abiding

Word of Consolation, Message of Salvation

Lord, Your Word Abiding is an Anthony G. Petti adaption of the 1861 hymn written by the Anglican Vicar, Henry W. Baker (1821-1877). As ed­it­or-in-chief from 1860 to 1877 of Hymns: An­cient and Mo­dern, Baker con­tri­but­ed a number of hymns, tunes, and trans­la­tions to this influential and still popular hymnal. Lord, Your Word Abiding is set to the 1861 tune, Ravenshaw by William H.Monk (1823-1889), which he adapted from the 1531 tune, Ave Hierarchia composed by the Lutheran Pastor and contemporary of Martin Luther, Michael Weisse (c1488-c.1534). In the Liturgy of the Hours it is used during the Office of Readings.


Tune: Ravenshaw

LORD, THY WORD ABIDETH by Henry W. Baker, 1861 (Public Domain)

1. Lord, Thy Word abideth,
And our footsteps guideth;
Who its truth believeth
Light and joy receiveth.

2. When our foes are near us,
Then Thy Word doth cheer us,
Word of consolation,
Message of salvation.

3. When the storms are o’er us,
And dark clouds before us,
Then its light directeth,
And our way protecteth.

4. Who can tell the pleasure,
Who recount the treasure,
By Thy Word imparted
To the simple hearted?

5. Word of mercy, giving
Succor to the living;
Word of life, supplying
Comfort to the dying!

6. O that we, discerning,
Its most holy learning,
Lord, may love and fear Thee,
Evermore be near Thee!


Performed by the Ely Cathedral Choir

Immortal, Invisible

Unresting, Unhasting, and Silent as Light

Immortal, Invisible, God was written by the Scottish poet and clergyman, Walter C. Smith (1824-1908). It was first published in 1867 as part of his collection: Hymns of Christ and the Christ­ian Life. Smith was a prominent  pastor in the Free Church of Scotland and was elected it's moderator in 1893. He was well known for his poetry, and published a number of volumes. Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise is sung to the tune: St. Den­io, a Welsh ballad of unknown authorship first published in 1839 as part of the collection Can­ai­dau y Cyssegr, edited by John Ro­berts (1807-1876). In the Divine Office it is used with the Office of Readings.


Tune: St. Den­io

IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE, GOD ONLY WISE by Wal­ter C. Smith, 1876 (Public Domain)

1. Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessèd, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great Name we praise.

2. Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

3. To all, life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish—but naught changeth Thee.

4. Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
But of all Thy rich graces this grace, Lord, impart
Take the veil from our faces, the vile from our heart.

5. All laud we would render; O help us to see
’Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee,
And so let Thy glory, Almighty, impart,
Through Christ in His story, Thy Christ to the heart.

God Hath Spoken by His Prophets

Each From Age to Age Proclaiming

God Hath Spoken by His Prophets was written by the Anglican clergyman and hymn writer, George W. Briggs (1875-1959). It was first published in 1953 as part of his collection: Ten New Hymns from the Bi­ble. It is often sung to the tune, Hymn to Joy (see 2nd video) from the 9th Symphony by Lud­wig van Beet­ho­ven (1770-1827). Shown in the 1st video is a popular alternative melody, Rex Gloriae by Henry T. Smart (1813-1879). In the Divine Office, God Hath Spoken by His Prophets is used with the Office of Readings.


Tune: Rex Gloriae
 

Tune: Hymn to Joy

O God, Creation's Secret Force / Rerum, Deus, Tenax Vigor

Thyself Unmoved, All Motion's Source

O God, Creation's Secret Force is a translation of the 4th century Latin hymn, Rer­um De­us Ten­ax Vi­gor attributed to St. Ambrose of Milan (340-397). Rer­um De­us Ten­ax Vi­gor (see 2nd video) is the traditional hymn at None (Mid-Afternoon Prayer) in the Roman Breviary. Like the other hymns for the daytime hours of Terse and Sext, this brief hymn concludes with a doxology that would change throughout the year to reflect the liturgical season or Feast Day. In 1852 it was translated into English by the Anglican clergyman, John M. Neale (1818-1866). In the Divine Office, his hymn: O God, Creation's Secret Force is set to the tune: Splendor Paternae Gloriae, based upon the anonymous 13th century plainsong melody of the same name. In the Divine Office it is used with the Office of Readings. For an alternative translation, see: O Strength and Stay.


Tune: Splendor Paternae Gloriae

O GOD, CREATION’S SECRET FORCE by John M. Neale, 1852 (Public Domain)

O God, creation’s secret force,
Thyself unmoved, all motion’s source,
Who from the morn till evening ray
Through all its changes guid’st the day:

Grant us, when this short life is past,
The glorious evening that shall last;
That, by a holy death attained,
Eternal glory may be gained.

O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, Thine only Son;
Who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.


Ambrosian Chant

RERUM, DEUS, TENAX VIGOR - attributed to St Ambrose (Public Domain)

Rerum, Deus, tenax vigor,
immotus in te permanens,
lucis diurnae tempora
successibus determinans,

Largire clarum vespere,
quo vita numquam decidat,
sed praemium mortis sacrae
perennis instet gloria.

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

This Day, at Thy Creating Word

Fill Our Souls With Light Divine 

This Day, at Thy Creating Word was written in 1871 by the Anglican Bishop, William W. How (1823-1897). His sermons, books, and hymns are noted for their simple, warm, and direct nature in conveying the Gospel, that is in contrast to the often fiery or flowery rhetoric of other 19th century pastors. On a curious note: Bishop How is included as one of the characters in the 1977 play, The Elephant Man, (not the same as the movie). He is depicted as sympathetic to the social and spiritual welfare of John Merrick, 1862-1890 (the real-life Elephant Man) unlike others that see and treat Merrick as something less than human. In the Divine Office, This Day, at Thy Creating Word is sung to the tune Deus Tuorum Militum (Grenoble). First published in the Grenoble Antiphoner of 1753, this anonymous composition is one of the earliest French Catholic diocesan tunes that shows a departure in form from chant to a more congregational style. Another popular setting is to the tune, Winchester New as shown in the 2nd video). In the Divine Office it is sung with the Office of Readings.


Tune: Deus Tuorum Militum

THIS DAY AT THY CREATING WORD by William How, 1871 (Public Domain)

1. This day at thy creating Word
first o'er the earth the light was poured:
O Lord, this day upon us shine
and fill our souls with light divine.

2. This day the Lord for sinners slain
in might victorious rose again:
O Jesus, may we raisèd be
from death of sin to life in thee!

3. This day the Holy Spirit came
with fiery tongues of cloven flame:
O Spirit, fill our hearts this day
with grace to hear and grace to pray.

4. O day of light and life and grace,
from earthly toil sweet resting place,
thy hallowed hours, blest gift of love,
give we again to God above.

5. All praise to God the Father be,
all praise, eternal Son, to thee,
whom, with the Spirit,
we adore forever and forevermore.


Tune: Winchester New

Eternal Father, Through Your Word

We Render Homage and All Praise

Eternal Father, Through Your Word is written by the Benedictine Nuns of Stanbrook Abbey. The Abbey was chiefly founded by Gertrude More (1606-1633). Born Helen More, she was a descendent of St. Thomas More. At the age of 17 she entered the re-established Order of the English Benedictine Congregation. She and the other postulates were trained by the Benedictine mystic and writer, Fr. Augustine Baker (1575-1641) in a practice of contemplative prayer that continues down to the present day in the Stanbrook Community. Dame Gertrude More died of small-pox at the age of 27. Eternal Father, Through Your Word is sung to the 1782 tune, Melcombe by Samuel Webbe (1740-1816). In the Divine Office it is used with the Office of Readings.


Tune: Melcombe

O God of Truth Prepare Our Minds

To Hear and Heed Your Holy Word

O God of Truth Prepare Our Minds is written by the Benedictine Nuns of Stanbrook Abbey. It is fitting that the Sisters should compose a hymn that prepares us for the reading of Sacred Scripture. The Order has a long tradition of study and reverence of the Word of God that they continue sharing with others up to the present day through their retreats and publications. The suggested tune for O God of Truth Prepare Our Minds is Erfurt, but it may also be sung to Warrington (as shown in the following video). In the Divine Office is is used with the Office of Readings.


Tune: Warrington

Be Thou My Vision

O Lord of My Heart

Be Thou my Vision is a translation of the 6th century Gaelic hymn, Rop tú mo baile at­trib­ut­ed to the Irish monk and poet, St. Dallán Forgaill (c.530–598). It is said that he composed it as a tribute to St. Patrick's unwavering faith in God. Down through the centuries the poem has become part of Irish monastic tradition. In 1905, an 8th century manuscript was translated into English by the Irish lin­guist, Ma­ry E. Byrne (1880-1931). In 1912, the writer and Gaelic scholar, El­ea­nor H. Hull (1860-1935) adapted Byrne's translation into verse. In 1919, Hull's verses were paired in the Irish Church Hymnal with the Irish folk tune: Slane, which it is associated with today. In the Divine Office, Be Thou My Vision is used with the Office of Readings.



BE THOU MY VISION by Elea­nor Hull, 1912 (Public Domain)

1. Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

2. Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

3. Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

4. Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

5. High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Holy God, We Praise Thy Name / Te Deum

Hark the glad celestial hymn

Holy God, We Praise Thy Name, first published 1774 was written by Ig­naz Franz (1719-1790). It is based upon the text of the early Latin hymn, Te Deum which is today prayed at the conclusion of the Office of the Readings on Solemnities and on Sundays outside of Lent. The 1858 English translation from the original German was by Fr. Clarence Walworth (1820-1900), an American Catholic who practiced law before entering into the Priesthood. It is set to the tune Grosser Gott (Te Deum), first published in 1774 it has been attributed to Austrian composer Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809). In the Liturgy of the Hours, Holy God, We Praise Thy Name is used during Ordinary Time for Night Prayer.
 

HOLY GOD, WE PRAISE THY NAME by Clarence Walworth, 1858 (Public Domain)

1. Holy God, we praise Thy Name;
Lord of all, we bow before Thee!
All on earth Thy scepter claim,
All in Heaven above adore Thee;
Infinite Thy vast domain, Everlasting is Thy reign. (2X)

2. Hark! the loud celestial hymn
Angel choirs above are raising,
Cherubim and seraphim,
In unceasing chorus praising;
Fill the heavens with sweet accord: Holy, holy, holy, Lord. (2X)

3. Lo! the apostolic train
Join the sacred Name to hallow;
Prophets swell the loud refrain,
And the white robed martyrs follow;
And from morn to set of sun, Through the Church the song goes on. (2X)

4. Holy Father, Holy Son,
Holy Spirit, Three we name Thee;
While in essence only One,
Undivided God we claim Thee;
And adoring bend the knee, While we own the mystery. (2X)

5. Thou art King of glory,
Christ: Son of God, yet born of Mary;
For us sinners sacrificed,
And to death a tributary:
First to break the bars of death, Thou has opened Heaven to faith. (2X)

6. From Thy high celestial home,
Judge of all, again returning,
We believe that Thou shalt come
In the dreaded doomsday morning;
When Thy voice shall shake the earth, And the startled dead come forth. (2X)

7. Spare Thy people, Lord, we pray,
By a thousand snares surrounded:
Keep us without sin today,
Never let us be confounded.
Lo, I put my trust in Thee; Never, Lord, abandon me. (2X)


Gregorian Chant

TE DEUM, Anonymous (Public Domain)

Te Deum laudamus: te Dominum confitemur.
Te aeternum Patrem omnis terra veneratur.
Tibi omnes Angeli; tibi caeli et universae Potestates;
Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim incessabili voce proclamant:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Pleni sunt caeli et terra maiestatis gloriae tuae.
Te gloriosus Apostolorum chorus,
Te Prophetarum laudabilis numerus,
Te Martyrum candidatus laudat exercitus.
Te per orbem terrarum sancta confitetur Ecclesia,
Patrem immensae maiestatis:
Venerandum tuum verum et unicum Filium;
Sanctum quoque Paraclitum Spiritum.
Tu Rex gloriae, Christe.
Tu Patris sempiternus es Filius.
Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem,
non horruisti Virginis uterum.
Tu, devicto mortis aculeo,
aperuisti credentibus regna caelorum.
Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes, in gloria Patris.
Iudex crederis esse venturus.
Te ergo quaesumus, tuis famulis subveni:
quos pretioso sanguine redemisti.
Aeterna fac cum sanctis tuis in gloria numerari.

V. Salvum fac populum tuum, Domine, et benedic hereditati tuae.
R. Et rege eos, et extolle illos usque in aeternum.
V. Per singulos dies benedicimus te;
R. Et laudamus Nomen tuum in saeculum, et in saeculum saeculi.
V. Dignare, Domine, die isto sine peccato nos custodire.
R. Miserere nostri Domine, miserere nostri.
V. Fiat misericordia tua,
R. Domine, super nos, quemadmodum speravimus in te.
V. In te, Domine, speravi: non confundar in aeternum. Amen