November 2, 2005

Have faith in God –
Never more in doubt to stay;
Have faith in God –
In repentance humbly pray;
Have faith in God –
And the Man God gave away.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Holy God, We Praise Thy Name

From T. Deum C., 4th Century
Attributed to Ignace Franz, 1719-1790
English Translation by Clarence Alphonsus Walworth, 1820-1900

    In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever. Selah. Psalm 44:8.

    The original setting of "Te Deum Laudamus" was likely composed by Bishop Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Italy, in A.D. 387, and an important leader in the development of early church music. Paraphrases of this fourth century "Te Deum" have been written in many languages, including this text in German, from which it was later translated into English by an American, Clarence A. Walworth. The hymn is still an important part of the morning service in Anglican churches, and it is sung frequently in all Protestant churches.

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

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.
Infinite Thy vast domain,
Everlasting is Thy reign.

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.
Infinite Thy vast domain,
Everlasting is Thy reign.

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.
Infinite Thy vast domain,
Everlasting is Thy reign.

Have Faith in God by H.M.S. Richards, Used by Permission