Walpole: this poetical hymn is not mentioned by Caesarius or Aurelian, but early became the office hymn for Mattins on Sunday. Probably the first four stanzas are addressed to God the Father, the direct invocation of Christ not coming until stanza V, But sator in verse 2 may be vocative, in which case the address to Christ begins at that point.
Deus, qui cæli lumen es
satórque lucis, qui polum (1)
patérno fultum brácchio (2)
præclára pandis déxtera, (3)
satórque lucis, qui polum (1)
patérno fultum brácchio (2)
præclára pandis déxtera, (3)
Auróra stellas iam tegit (4)
rubrum sustóllens gúrgitem,
uméctis atque flátibus
terram baptízans róribus.
rubrum sustóllens gúrgitem,
uméctis atque flátibus
terram baptízans róribus.
Iam noctis umbra línquitur,
polum calígo déserit,
typúsque Christi, lúcifer
diem sopítum súscitat.
polum calígo déserit,
typúsque Christi, lúcifer
diem sopítum súscitat.
Dies diérum tu, Deus, (5)
lucísque lumen ipse es,
Unum potens per ómnia,
potens in unum Trínitas.
lucísque lumen ipse es,
Unum potens per ómnia,
potens in unum Trínitas.
Te nunc, Salvátor, quæsumus
tibíque genu fléctimus,
Patrem cum Sancto Spíritu
te notis laudántes vócibus. Amen.
tibíque genu fléctimus,
Patrem cum Sancto Spíritu
te notis laudántes vócibus. Amen.
1. sator] 'creator,' or 'father,' lit. 'sower.' Perhaps the word is chosen, because light and fire were thought to spring from seeds.
However, like inventor and other similar
Words never lost its special meaning
2. fultum] 'firmly set.' The firmament was supposed to be solid and propped upon mountains at either end.
3. ' The arm of the Lord ' is a metaphor frequently found in the O.T., as at Exod. vi. 6. li. 13, Jer. x. 12; pandis seems to denote the opening of the curtain to give light ; cp. 46. 4, 1. 43. 5 f.
4. ' Dawn now shrouds the stars, uplifting her ruddy flood, for with damp blasts she bedews the earth.' Aurora is personified, as generally in the Latin poets. And just as the darkness is regarded as a material substance.
5. Dies dierum = ‘the holy one’
However, like inventor and other similar
Words never lost its special meaning
2. fultum] 'firmly set.' The firmament was supposed to be solid and propped upon mountains at either end.
3. ' The arm of the Lord ' is a metaphor frequently found in the O.T., as at Exod. vi. 6. li. 13, Jer. x. 12; pandis seems to denote the opening of the curtain to give light ; cp. 46. 4, 1. 43. 5 f.
4. ' Dawn now shrouds the stars, uplifting her ruddy flood, for with damp blasts she bedews the earth.' Aurora is personified, as generally in the Latin poets. And just as the darkness is regarded as a material substance.
5. Dies dierum = ‘the holy one’
O God, you are the light of heaven, sower of light, the sky is firmly set upon your fatherly arm and spread out by your illustrious right hand. Now the dawn covers the stars, bearing up its ruddy stream, and the breeze wet with dew baptizes the earth. Now the shadow of night is left behind, darkness deserts the sky and the type of Christ, the morning star, awakes the day from sleep. You, O God, are the Day of days, the Light of light, one powerful in all things, powerful in one Trinity. Now, O Savior, we beseech you and bend the knee to you, Father with the Holy Spirit, praising you with familial voices. Amen.
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