☝️ Key Points
- The song lyrics are a praise to the sacrament of the Eucharist in Catholic liturgy.
- They emphasize the importance of faith to compensate for the lack of sensory perception.
- The lyrics express praise and joy towards God and the Son of God.
- They also emphasize equal veneration and praise towards the Holy Spirit.
- The lyrics end with the word 'Amen', which represents an agreement and confirmation of the prayer.
Interpretation
The song lyrics "Tantum ergo sacraméntum" by
Kirchenlieder is a Latin hymn used in Catholic liturgy. The text is a praise of the sacrament of the Eucharist, where bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Christ.
In the first lines of the text, reverence for the sacrament is expressed: "Tantum ergo sacraméntum, Venerémur cérnui" (So great therefore the sacrament, we adore it with humility). It is emphasized that the sacrament is an ancient tradition that should give way to a new form of worship: "Et antiquum documéntum, Novo cedat rítui" (And the old testimony should give way to a new form).
The text also emphasizes the importance of faith to compensate for the lack of sensory perception: "Praestet fides suppleméntum, Sénsuum deféctui" (Let faith supplement the lack of the senses). It is emphasized that faith in the sacrament of the Eucharist should help us recognize the true meaning and presence of Christ in the bread and wine.
In the second part of the text, praise and joy for God and the Son of God are expressed: "Genitóri Genitóque, Laus et jubilátio, Salus, honor, virtus quoque, Sit et beníctio" (To the Father and the Son be praise and joy, salvation, honor, virtue and blessing). It is also emphasized that the same honor and praise are due to the Holy Spirit: "Procedénti ab utróque, Compar sit laudátio" (The one who proceeds from both deserves similar praise).
The text ends with the word "Amen", which represents an acceptance and confirmation of the prayer.
Overall, the text is a solemn and reverent praise of the sacrament of the Eucharist and expresses the importance of faith in this sacrament. It reminds believers that the bread and wine in the Mass are truly the body and blood of Christ, and calls for worship and reverence.