Te Deum

Very early in my life I fell in love with the wisdom of the ancient prayers. The most intricate theology and greatest spiritual instruction is held in the Church's prayers. Extemporaneous prayers of individuals is worthy, but the wisdom of the ancient prayers is so much more. 

The earliest extra-biblical prayer (that would be the oldest prayer held outside of Scripture in the Tradition of the Church) is a prayer, prayed at sunset - the which I pray everyday at sunset - and it has opened the evening prayers of the church for 2000 years - the prayer is older than parts of the New Testament and was inspired by the psalmists words: "Let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice."

There is no more peaceful place on earth than standing in your prayer corner as the outside light fades, lighting the prayer lamps and singing: 

"O Gladsome Light of the holy glory of the immortal, Heavenly Holy Father: Blessed Jesus Christ! Now that we have come to the setting of the sun, and see the light of evening, We praise God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (+) For it is right at all times to worship You with voices of praise, O Son of God and Giver of life. Therefore all the worlds glorify You!" 

The video is the Te Deum Te Deum (for 1600 years this prayer has been sung somewhere on this earth every single day.) - The singers are singing in Latin - here is the English Translation: 

We praise Thee, O God: we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord. 

All the earth doth worship Thee and the Father everlasting. 

To Thee all Angels: to Thee the heavens and all the Powers therein.

 To Thee the Cherubim and Seraphim cry with unceasing voice: Holy, Holy, Holy: Lord God of Hosts. The heavens and the earth are full of the majesty of Thy glory. 

Thee the glorious choir of the Apostles. 

Thee the admirable company of the Prophets. 

Thee the white-robed army of Martyrs praise. 

Thee the Holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge.

 The Father of infinite Majesty. 

Thine adorable, true and only Son Also the Holy Ghost the Paraclete. 

Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ. 

Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. 

Thou having taken upon Thee to deliver man didst not abhor the Virgin's womb. 

Thou having overcome the sting of death didst open to believers the kingdom of heaven. 

Thou sittest at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father. 

We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge. 

We beseech Thee, therefore, help Thy servants: whom Thou has redeemed with Thy precious Blood. 

Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints in glory everlasting. Lord, save Thy people: and bless Thine inheritance. 

Govern them and lift them up forever. 

Day by day we bless Thee. 

And we praise Thy name forever: and world without end. Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day to keep us without sin. Have mercy on us, O Lord: have mercy on us. Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us: as we have hoped in Thee. O Lord, in Thee have I hoped: let me never be confounded.