Te Deum – Part 2
Te Deum – Part 2.
“… To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.”
The high praise of part one of Te Deum continues with the adoration of all the angels in heaven in the second part. The heavenly powers are all included in the songs of Paradise chanted around the throne, glorifying almighty God. Only the Lord is worthy to be praised endlessly, eternally, around the clock where there is no clock. And what are all the powers of heaven singing in Te Deum, pausing only to catch a breath? An early church prayer based on Isaiah 6:3. Isaiah’s mind-boggling vision of heaven’s throne room is recalled in Te Deum, the Lord on His throne, “high and exalted,” surrounded by choirs of angels adoring the King of creation, acknowledging His holiness and purity, set apart for special worship. The Lord’s glory, the light of His presence, permeates everything on earth. All of nature is full of His glory.
God’s throne is surrounded by angels in full song, and by singing the Te Deum, we here on earth are able to participate in that heavenly praise. The fact is we never pray alone. We are always accompanied by a cloud of witnesses that includes rank upon rank of heavenly angels. Whenever we glorify God in humble adoration, we are welcomed into the choirs of heaven gathered around the throne. When we adore the Lord, we are placing ourselves in the heavenlies and we place our hearts in the throne room. “Strictly speaking, there is no such thing as ‘private prayer’ in the Christian life. Our prayer to God is always sustained by the angelic presence.” (Reardon, Christ in the Psalms). “I will praise you with my whole heart; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise.” (Ps. 138:1).
More High Praise from Choirs of Angels:
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel of the Lord, praising God and singing, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth!” (Luke 2:13-14).
“Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop singing, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!” (Rev. 4:8).
“Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” (Rev. 5:11-12).
“All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing, ‘Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever! Amen!” (Rev. 7:11-12).
“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting, ‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns! Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.’ (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints).” (Rev. 19:6-8).
“The astounding phenomena Moses witnessed caused him to shudder with fear and he could only say, ‘I am trembling in terror!’ By contrast, we have already come near to God in a totally different realm, the Zion-realm, for we have entered the city of the Living God, which is the New Jerusalem in heaven! We have joined the festal gathering of myriads of angels in their joyous celebration!” (Hebrews 12:21-22).