Quodcumque in orbe

Peter, whatever thou shalt bind on earth

The Hymns of the Breviary and Missal

Quodcumque in orbe nexibus revinxeris,
Erit revinctum Petre in arce siderum:
Et quod resolvit hic potestas tradita,
Erit solutum cœli in alto vertice:
In fine mundi judicabis sæculum.
Patri perenne sit per ævum gloria,
Tibique laudes concinamus inclytas,
Æterne Nate, sit superne Spiritus
Honor tibi, decusque: sancta jugiter
Laudetur omne Trinitas per sæculum.

Peter, whatever thou shalt bind on earth,
The same is bound above the starry sky;
What here thy delegated power doth loose,
Is loosed in heaven’s supremest Court on high:
To judgment shalt thou come, when the world’s end is nigh.
Praise to the Father, through all ages be;
Praise to the consubstantial sovereign Son,
And Holy Ghost, One glorious Trinity;
To whom all majesty and might belong;
So sing we now, and such be our eternal song.

Author: Ascribed to St. Paulinus Patriarch of Aquileia (726-802). Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by Father Caswall. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Vespers and Matins on the Feast of St. Peter’s Chair at Rome. It is similarly used on the Feast of St. Peter’s Chair at Antioch. First line of Original Text: Quodcumque vinclis super terram strinxeris. This hymn is a part of a longer hymn beginning: Felix per omnes festum mundi cardines. There are nine stanzas in the complete hymn. In addition to several anonymous translations in the early Primers, there are ten later translations, three of which are translations of the complete hymn. This hymn is evidently later than, and modeled on, the Decora lux which is used on the Feast of SS. Peter and Paul (June 29).

“Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth with chains, O Peter, shall be bound in the stronghold of the skies, and what here the power bestowed upon thee doth loosen, shall be loosed in heaven’s exalted height; at the end of the world thou shalt judge mankind.” This stanza contains a metrical rendering of Matt. 16, 19: Et tibi dabo claves regni cœlorum. Et quodcumque ligaveris super terram, erit ligatum et in cœlis: et quodcumque solveris super terram, erit solutum et in cœlis. Judicabis: Cf. Matt. 19, 28.2
“To God the Father be glory through endless ages; Eternal Son, may we sing Thy glorious praises; Heavenly Spirit, to Thee be honor and glory: unceasingly may the Holy Trinity be praised through all eternity.”