Gloria in excelsis Deo
"Gloria in Excelsis Deo" (Latin for "Glory to God on High") is the title and beginning of the great doxology (song of praise) used in the Roman Catholic Mass and, in translation, in the services of many other Christian churches.
The text of the song begins with a slight variation on the words sung by the angels as part of the announcement of the birth of Jesus to the shepherds in the field in Luke 2:14. The Vulgate uses altissimis (generally meaning physically highest) instead of excelsis (lofty, high, elevated, or a height). The song continues with verses added to make a proper doxology. This song was originally in Greek and goes back very far in the history of Christianity. Another form of the song goes to at least the third century, if not to the first. A longer version dating to the fourth century is still sung in the Greek Orthodox church. This version is not used in the standard liturgy of the church. In any case, the Latin version differs from the present Greek form. They correspond down to the end of the Latin, which however adds: "Tu solus altissimus" and "Cum sancto Spiritu". The Greek then goes on: "Every day I will bless thee and will glorify thy name for ever, and for ever and ever" and continues with ten more verses, chiefly from psalms, to the Trisagion and Gloria Patri.
In the Roman Catholic Mass, the Gloria is sung on Sundays and Solemnities after the Kyrie and before the Opening Prayer. It is omitted during the seasons of Advent and Lent. It is also not sung at funerals or memorial masses. Musical settings of the Gloria frequently call for a cantor/celebrant to intone the first line "Gloria in excelsis Deo" a cappella, followed by the entrance of the rest of the ensemble for "et in terra pax" etc.
However, the song's use was gradually adopted. The first Pope to order this part of the liturgy was Pope Telesphorus (128–139?), who ordered it sung at every Christmas, and Pope Symmachus (498–514) ordered that it be said every Sunday. It was then spread to use at Easter only for priests. By the end of the 11th century, priests began to have license to say the Gloria on their own on any Feast day. However, it was still not said during Advent, as that was a time of repentance. Since the song uses the text of the Angels at the Nativity, it originally appeared only in its most appropriate place and slowly spread to other occasions.
In the medieval period, several "farced" Glorias were composed. These expanded the basic Gloria with special purpose, or ariel, verses. The adapted version for the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Sarum Missal, was used all over Europe. Even though these interpolations were condemned repeatedly, they were still sung as late as 1570.
The Gloria is a hymn of praise addressed to each Person of the Holy Trinity in turn, although the clause about the Holy Ghost is very short (cum sancto Spiritu) and is evidently an afterthought. The clauses are arranged in parallels with a certain loose rhythm. This rhythm is much more evident in the Greek original (measured of course by accent); for instance:
- Kyrie basileu epouranie,
- Thee pater pantokrator
The Gloria and the Te Deum are the only remains of the psalmi idiotici (psalms composed by private persons instead of being taken from the Biblical Psalter) that were popular in the second and third centuries. The extraordinary beauty of these two (to which one should add the phos hilaron) is a witness to the splendour of that outburst of lyric poetry among Christians during the time of persecution.
A similar phrase is Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.
This song also appears in the Book of Odes, a deuterocanonical book for the Greek Orthodox Church.
Latin text and English translation
Latin text
- Gloria in excélsis Deo
- Et in terra pax homínibus bonæ voluntátis.
- Laudámus te.
- Benedícimus te.
- Adorámus te.
- Glorificámus te.
- Grátias ágimus tibi propter magnam glóriam tuam,
- Dómine Deus, Rex cæléstis, Deus Pater omnípotens.
- Dómine Fili unigénite, Jesu Christe.
- Dómine Deus, Agnus Dei, Fílius Patris.
- Qui tollis peccáta mundi, miserére nobis.
- Qui tollis peccáta mundi, súscipe deprecatiónem nostram.
- Qui sedes ad déxteram Patris, miserére nobis.
- Quóniam tu solus Sanctus.
- Tu solus Dóminus,
- Tu solus Altíssimus, Jesu Christe,
- Cum Sancto Spíritu in glória Dei Patris. Amen.
Literal English Translation
- Glory to God on high,
- And on earth peace to men of good will.
- We praise Thee;
- We bless Thee;
- We adore Thee;
- We glorify Thee.
- We give Thee thanks for Thy great glory,
- O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty.
- O Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son;
- O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
- Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;
- Who takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer:
- Who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
- For Thou only art Holy:
- Thou only art the Lord:
- Thou only, O Jesus Christ, art most high,
- Together the Holy Ghost, in the glory of God the Father.
- Amen.
Modern English Version*
Use for the Roman Catholic Mass since the 1970's. A paraphrase rather than a accurate translation of the Latin.
- Glory to God in the Highest
- And peace to His people on earth.
- Lord God, heavenly King, Almighty God and Father;
- We worship you, we give you thanks,
- We praise you for your glory.
- Lord Jesus Christ, Only Son of the Father.
- Lord God, Lamb of God
- You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;
- You are seated at the right hand of the Father, receive our prayer.
- For You alone are the Holy One,
- You alone are the Lord,
- You alone are the Most High Jesus Christ,
- With the Holy Spirit in the Glory of God the Father. Amen.