Ascendens Christus in altum

General information

Responsory for Matins at Ascension.
Source of text is Ephesians 4:8, Psalm 46:5 (Vulgate) and

Settings by composers

• Francisco Guerrero SAATB
• Jacob Handl SATB
• Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina TTBB
• Tomás Luis de Victoria SATTB

Text and translations

Latin text Eph. 4:8  Ascendens Christus in altum, captivam duxit captivitatem: dedit dona hominibus. Alleluia. Ps. 46:5  Ascendit Deus in jubilatione, et Dominus in voce tubae. Dedit dona hominibus. Alleluia. Dominus in caelo paravit sedem suam. Alleluia.

English translation Eph. 4:8  Christ, ascending on high, led captivity captive: He gave gifts to men. Alleluia. Ps. 47:5  God is gone up with a merry noise, and the Lord with the sound of the trumpet. He gave gifts to men. Alleluia.