Herr Gott, dich loben wir
The German Tedeum
Text and Translation of Chorale

EKG: 137
Author of Original Latin Text: Te Deum laudamus’ by Nicetas of Remesiana (circa 366-420 AD)
Author of German Text: Martin Luther
Chorale Melody: Herr Gott, dich loben wir [The German Tedeum] | Composer: Anon (probably 3^rd or even 2^nd century AD) / Martin Luther (?)

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:
[there are no verses since it is treated as one long chant]

Ver

Work

Mvt.

Year

Br

RE

KE

Di

BC

Type

-

BWV 16

Mvt. 1

1726

-

-

-

-

A57:1

Chorus (Chorale)

-

BWV 119

Mvt. 9

1723

-

134

-

-

B3:9

Chorale

-

BWV 120

Mvt. 6

1729

-

135

-

-

B6:6

Chorale

-

BWV 190

Mvt. 1

1724

-

-

-

-

A21:1

Chorus

-

BWV 190

Mvt. 2

1724

-

-

-

-

A21:2

Chorale & Recitative

-

BWV 190a

Mvt. 2

1730

-

-

-

-

B27:2

Chorale & Recitative

BWV 190/2 = BWV 190a/2

Below are original Latin text, Luther's German adaptation and a phrase-for-phrase translation of the German text into English. Please notice that there is not phrase-for-phrase responsion between the German and Latin. To preserve the division of the German text, the latin phrases were put against the German wherever they correspond. Where there are gaps there is nothing in the Latin that corresponds to the German.

Ch = Choir; Cg = Congregation

Latin Text (Nicetas)

German Text (Luther)

English Translation (Browne)

Ch:

Te Deum laudamus:

Herr Gott dich loben wir,

Lord God, we praise you,

Cg:

te Dominum confitemur.

Herr Gott, wir danken dir.

Lord God, we thank you.

Ch:

Te æternum Patrem

Dich Vater in Ewigkeit,

You, Father, in eternity

Cg:

omnis terra veneratur.

ehrt die Welt weit und breit.

are honoured by the world far and wide.

Ch:

Tibi omnes Angeli, tibi coeli

All Engel und Himmelsheer

All the angels and host of heaven

Cg:

et universæ Potestates,

und was dienet deiner Ehr,

and what serves your honour,

Ch:

tibi Cherubim et Seraphim

auch Cherubim und Seraphim

the cherubim and seraphim also

Cg:

incessabili voce proclamant:

singen immer mit hoher Stimm:

sing always with loud voice

Ch:

Sanctus,

“Heilig ist unser Gott,

"Holy is our God,

Cg:

sanctus,

heilig ist unser Gott,

holy is our God,

Ch & Cg:

sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth

heilig ist unser Gott, der Herre Zebaoth.”

holy is our God, the Lord of Sabaoth."

Ch:

Pleni sunt coeli et terra
majestatis gloriæ tuæ.

Dein göttlich Macht und Herrlichkeit

Your divine power and glory

Cg:

geht übr Himmel und Erden weit.

fills heaven and earth.

Ch:

Te gloriosus Apostolorum chorus,

Der heiligen zwölf Boten Zahl

The company of the twelve holy apostles

Cg:

te Prophetarum laudabilis numerus,

und die lieben Propheten all,

and all the devoted prophets

Ch:

te Martyrum candidatus laudat exercitus.

die teuren Märtrer all zumal

together with all the beloved martyrs

Cg:

loben dich, Herr, mit großem Schall.

praise you , Lord, with a great cry.

Ch:

Te per orbem terrarum

Die ganze werte Christenheit

The whole holy Christian church

Cg:

sancta confitetur Ecclesia

rühmt dich auf Erden allezeit

praises you on earth always,

Ch:

Patrem immensæ majestatis

Dich, Gott Vater im höchsten Thron,

you, God our Father on the highest throne,

Cg:

venerandum tuum verum et unicum Filium;

deinen rechten und eingen Sohn,

your true and only Son,

Ch:

Sanctum quoque Paraclitum Spiritum.

den Heilgen Geist und Tröster wert

the Holy Spirit and our dear comforter

Cg:

mit rechtem Dienst sie lobt und ehrt.

are praised and honoured rightly.

Ch:

Tu Rex gloriæ, Christe.

Du König der Ehren Jesu Christ,

You are the king of glory, Jesus Christ,

Cg:

Tu Patris sempiternus es Filius.

Gott Vaters ewger Sohn du bist;

eternal Son of god the Father;

Ch:

Tu, ad liberandum
suscepturus hominem,
non horruisti Virginis uterum.

der Jungfrau Leib nicht hast verschmäht

you have not disdained the Virgin’s womb

Cg:

zu ‘rlösen das menschlich Geschlecht.

to redeem the human race.

Ch:

Tu, devicto mortis aculeo,

Du hast dem Tod zerstört sein Macht

You have destroyed the power of death

Cg:

aperuisti credentibus regna coelorum.

und all Christen zum Himmel bracht.

and brought all Christians to heaven.

Ch:

Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes,

Du sitzt zur Rechten Gottes gleich

You sit at the right hand of God

Cg:

in gloria Patris.

mit aller Ehr ins Vaters Reich.

with all glory in the Father’s kingdom.

Ch:

Judex crederis esse venturus.

Ein Richter du zukünftig bist

You will be the judge

Cg:

alles das tot und lebend ist.

off all the living and the dead

Ch:

Te ergo quæsumus, tuis famulis subveni,

Nun hilf uns, Herr, den Dienern dein,

Now help us, Lord, your servants,

Cg:

quos pretioso sanguine redemisti

die mit deim teurn Blut erlöset sein;

whom you have redeemed with your precious blood,

Ch:

Æterna fac cum Sanctis tuis

laß uns im Himmel haben teil

let us have a share in heaven

Cg:

in gloria numerari.

mit den Heiligen in ewgem Heil.

with the saints in eternal salvation.

Ch:

Salvum fac populum tuum, Domine,

Hilf deinem Volk, Herr Jesu Christ,

Help your people, Lord Jesus Christ,,

Cg:

et benedic hæreditati tuæ.

und segne, das dein Erbteil ist,

and bless your inheritance

Ch:

Et rege eos, et extolle illos

wart und pfleg ihr’ zu aller Zeit

tend and care for them at all times

Cg:

usque in æternum.

und heb sie hoch in Ewigkeit.

and raise them high in eternity.

Ch:

Per singulos dies benedicimus te,

Täglich, Herr Gott, wir loben dich

Day by day , Lord god, we praise you

Cg:

et laudamus nomen tuum in sæculum, et in sæculum sæculi.

und ehrn dein’ Namen stetiglich.

and honour your name continually

Ch:

Dignare, Domine, die isto sine peccato nos custodire

Behüt uns heut, o treuer Gott,

Guard us this day, O faithful God,

Cg:

vor aller Sünd und Missetat.

from all sin and wrongdoing.

Ch:

Miserere nostri, Domine

Sei uns gnädig, o Herre Gott,

Be merciful to us, O Lord God,

Cg:

miserere nostri

sei uns gnädig in aller Not.

be merciful to us in all our troubles.

Ch:

Fiat misericordia tua, Domine super nos,

Zeig uns deine Barmherzigkeit,

Show us your compassion

Cg:

quemadmodum speravimus in te.

wie unsre Hoffnung zu dir steht.

since our hope depends on you.

Ch:

In te speravi

Auf dich hoffen wir lieber Herr,

In you we hope, dear Lord,

Cg:

non confundar in æternum.

in Schanden laß uns nimmermehr.

grant that we may never be put to shame.

Ch & Cg:

Amen.

Amen.

--

Original German Text was provided by Thomas Braatz (September 2005)
English Translation by Francis Browne (September 2005)
Contributed by Francis Browne (September 2005)