Deus tuorum militum

O God, of those that fought Thy fight

The Hymns of the Breviary and Missal

Deus tuorum militum
Sors, et corona, præmium,
Laudes canentes Martyris
Absolve nexu criminis.
Hic nempe mundi gaudia,
Et blanda fraudum pabula
Imbuta felle deputans,
Perventi ad cœlestia.
Pœnas cucurrit fortiter,
Et sustulit viriliter,
Fundensque pro te sanguinem,
Æterna dona possidet.
Ob hoc precatu supplici
Te poscimus, piissime;
In hoc triumph Martyris
Dimitte noxam servulis.
Laus et perennis gloria
Patri sit, atque Filio,
Sancto simul Paraclito,
In sempiterna sæcula.

O God, of those that fought Thy fight,
Portion, and prize, and crown of light,
Break every bond of sin and shame
As now we praise Thy Martyr’s name.
He recked not of the world’s allure,
But sin and pomp of sin forswore:
Knew all their gall, and passed them by,
And reached the throne prepared on high.
Bravely the course of pain he ran,
And bare his torments as a man:
For love of Thee his blood outpoured,
And thus obtained the great reward.
With humble voice and suppliant word
We pray Thee therefore, holy Lord,
While we Thy Martyr’s feast-day keep,
Forgive Thy loved and erring sheep.
Glory and praise for aye be done
To God the Father, and the Son,
And Holy Ghost, who reign on high,
One God, to all eternity.

Author: Ambrosian, 6^th cent. Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by Alan G. McDougall. There are sixteen translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Vespers. There is a longer form of this hymn in thirty-two lines. The translations are practically all from the Roman Breviary Text.

“O God, Thou who art the portion, the crown, and the reward of Thy soldiers, absolve from the chains of sin those singing the praises of Thy Martyr.”
“He, indeed, regarding as imbued with bitterness the joys of the world and the seductive pleasures of sin, hath attained heavenly joys.” Pabulum, food; anything pleasing to the taste or senses.
“He bravely ran the way of torture, and suffered manfully; and shedding his blood for Thee, he now possesses Thy eternal gifts.” Pœnas cucurrit, a poetical constr., the accusative in answer to the question whither.
“Wherefore we beseech Thee, most loving God, with suppliant prayer, in consequence of the triumph of Thy Martyr, forgive Thy servants’ sins.” Ob hoc = quam ob rem. In hoc triumph: This refers to the feast day of the Martyr; the hymn is sung on each anniversary of the Martyr’s triumph.