Verbum Supernum Prodiens

For Advent

Attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), ca. 1263
Probably based on 10th Century or earlier sources

Compare:
Verbum Supernum Prodiens (Version 2)
Verbum supernum prodiens (Version 3)

Music: "Verbum Supernum Prodiens"
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1. Verbum supernum prodiens,
Nec Patris linquens dexteram,
Ad opus suum exiens,
Venit ad vitæ vesperam.

2. In mortem a discipulo
Suis tradendus æmulis,
Prius in vitæ ferculo
Se tradidit discipulis.

3. Quibus sub bina specie
Carnem dedit et sanguinem;
Ut duplicis substantiæ
Totum cibaret hominem.

4. Se nascens dedit socium,
Convescens in edulium,
Se moriens in pretium,
Se regnans dat in præmium.

5. O salutaris hostia,
Quæ cæli pandis ostium,
Bella premunt hostilia;
Da robur, fer auxilium.

6. Uni trinoque Domino
Sit sempiterna gloria:
Qui vitam sine termino
Nobis donet in patria. Amen.

See notes on Verbum supernum prodiens in The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume XV, Copyright © 1912 by Robert Appleton Company, Online Edition Copyright © 1999 by Kevin Knight

One source had a side-by-side translation.

Translations include:

• Heavenly Word Proceeding Forth, The  (Neale Translation, often adapted)
• High Word of God (Bigg Translation); Alternate Title: High Word of God, who once didst come
• O Heavenly Word of God on High (New English Bible Translation, Hymn #2, copyright 1986)
• O Heavenly Word, Eternal Light (The Hymnal 1982, Hymn #63, copyright 1982)
• O Saving Victim, Opening Wide (Caswall and Neale Translation of verses 5 and 6)
• O Word, That Goest Forth on High (The Hymnal 1940, Hymn #8, copyright 1940)