Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, April 18th, 2024
the Third Week after Easter
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more!

Bible Dictionaries
Te Deum

The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia

Search for…
or
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Prev Entry
Table
Next Entry
Temperance
Resource Toolbox
Additional Links

The Latin title of the hymn beginning "We praise Thee, O God," sung after the First Lesson at Morning Prayer. It is one of the oldest of Christian hymns. The old tradition that it was first sung impromptu and antiphonally by St. Ambrose and St. Augustine at the Baptism of the latter in A.D. 386, is not now accepted, as there is evidence to show that the Te Deum is much older than the time of St. Ambrose. So early as A.D. 252, we find St. Cyprian using almost the same words as occur in the Te Deum. It is now generally believed that this noble canticle in its present form, is a composition of the Fourth or Fifth Century and that it represents a still more ancient hymn. The Te Deum is sung in the Church service every day except during Advent and Lent when the Benedicite is sung instead.

Bibliography Information
Miller, William James. Entry for 'Te Deum'. The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​acd/​t/te-deum.html. 1901.
adsFree icon
Ads FreeProfile