Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! (Rom 11:33 NIV)

We hardly grasp earthly things, how much less do we comprehend what is heavenly and divine. We can see that very clearly with Nicodemus. How much convincing, teaching and motivating  did our Lord have to accomplish in trying to explain the most basic Christian experience of rebirth and holy Baptism.

The holy apostle Saint Paul writes this letter to the Romans inspired by the Holy Spirit. He writes about heavenly things and declares divine mysteries. We don’t fathom it – not by far. “Three witness in heaven and these three are but one!” That’s a common sound in the Church, but the content remains a godly mystery. Nobody will solve it – even if they give it most serious and enthusiastic tries. “Therefore be still before him all the world!”

We hold on to this truth and as we fall prostrate before you o one God, three in one on this highest Holiday of the Holy Trinity, then let our jubilation and praying worship, adore and glorify you by, through and to whom all was created. From the bottom of our soul and heart and being we sing your holy name and pray: “All glory be to you o God Father, Son and Holy Spirit now and forever!”

WE praise thee, O God: we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.

All the earth doth worship thee: the Father everlasting.

To thee all Angels cry aloud: the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.

To thee Cherubim and Seraphim: continually do cry,

Holy, Holy, Holy: Lord God of Sabaoth;

Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty: of thy glory.

The glorious company of the Apostles: praise thee.

The goodly fellowship of the Prophets: praise thee.

The noble army of Martyrs: praise thee.

The holy Church throughout all the world: doth acknowledge thee;

The Father: of an infinite Majesty;

Thine honourable, true: and only Son;

Also the Holy Ghost: the Comforter.

Thou art the King of Glory: O Christ.

Thou art the everlasting Son: of the Father.

When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man: thou didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb.

When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death: thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.

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 therefore pray thee, help thy servants: whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.

Make them to be numbered with thy Saints: in glory everlasting.

 O Lord, save thy people: and bless thine heritage.

Govern them: and lift them up for ever.

Day by day: we magnify thee;

And we worship thy Name: ever world without end.

Vouchsafe, O Lord: to keep us this day without sin.

O Lord, have mercy upon us: have mercy upon us.

O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us: as our trust is in thee.

O Lord, in thee have I trusted: let me never be confounded.

1662  version of the  “Te Deum laudamus” [ca 500 AD]

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for the holiday celebrating the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 215 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.