Te Deum - pieśń pochwalna

Abstract

Te Deum is a song of glory whose historical beginnings are not known to us. The theological fact is worth noticing that in the origin and use of this hymn its connection with the Paschal liturgy is in various ways revealed. The first place where the hymn is found is the Liturgy of the Hours. With time it finds a broader liturgical use, especially in the Eucharist, and further, it exceeds the limits of liturgy to become the hymn of thanksgiving in mundane circumstances of life. The basic scheme of the hymn is classical, the one we already know from the berakoth: laudation, anamnesis and request. Although in the past Te Deum has sometimes been separated from liturgy, owing to this scheme the hymn is close to the Eucharistic Prayer. Despite being directed to various Divine Persons, the unity of its form and contents is clearly seen. Not only giving God noble titles but also mentioning the salutary acts and submitting trustfully a request constitute one act of worship.