The Te Deum

The Te Deum is a great hymn of praise to God and which is recited by clergy, religious and many lay people as part of the Prayer of the Church on Sundays in Ordinary Time, during the Christmas and Easter Season and on days of Solemnity. It has been put to music by many of the great composers and worked in to some of their magnificent Mass settings.

We praise you, O God:

we acclaim you as the Lord.

            Everlasting Father,

            all the world bows down before you.

All the Angels sing your praise,

the hosts of heaven and all the angelic powers,

            all the cherubim and seraphim

            call out in unending song:

                        Holy, Holy, Holy,

                        is the Lord God of angel hosts!

The heavens and the earth are filled

with your majesty and glory.

            The glorious band of apostles,

            the noble company of prophets,

the white-robed army who shed their blood for Christ,

all sing your praise.

            And to the ends of the earth

            your holy Church proclaims her faith in you:

                        Father, whose majesty is boundless,

                        your true and only Son, who is to be adored,

                        the Holy Spirit sent to be our Advocate.

You, Christ, are the king of glory,

Son of the eternal Father.

            When you took our nature to save mankind

            you did not shrink from birth in the Virgin’s womb.

You overcame the power of death

opening the Father’s kingdom to all who believe in you.

            Enthroned at God’s right hand in the glory of the Father,

            you will come in judgement according to your promise.

You redeemed your people by your precious blood.

Come, we implore you, to our aid.

            Grant us with the saints

            a place in eternal glory.

Lord, save your people

and bless your inheritance.

            Rule them and uphold them

            for ever and ever.

Day by day we praise you:

we acclaim you now and to all eternity.

            In your goodness, Lord, keep us free from sin.

            Have mercy on us Lord, have mercy.

May your always be with us, Lord,

for we have hoped in you.

            In you, Lord, we put our trust:

            we shall not be put to shame.