讚美頌產生時期和文體與榮歸主頌大致相同。七世紀末愛爾蘭的邦哥爾(Bangor)的著作(Antiphonary),是將它保存的最古鈔本。它是取用希臘和拉丁崇拜儀式的材料,尤其是取用榮歸主頌,以及以賽亞書六章三節,詩篇二八篇九節,一四五篇二節,一二三篇三節,三三篇二一節,三一篇一節,和七一篇一節而編成或聯成的。它是使徒信經的解釋和改作。作者為誰遺傳一直緘默到九世紀,才有兩個對立的說法。一說作者為米蘭的安波羅修(Ambrosius
of Milan)。說當他給奧古斯丁施洗的一日,即三八七年復活節,由後者襄助而成。一說作者為玻阿帖的希拉流(Hilarius of
Poitiers, 315?-367)。
以上兩說均不很可靠,因為他們兩人都是教會著名領袖,若真是作者,為什麼遺傳出現如此晚呢?時至十世紀,另有愛爾蘭的遺傳,說作者為安波羅修同時代人,在大吉亞的熱米先那的尼古達(Niceta
of Remesiana in Dacia)。近代學者如莫林(G. Morin),伯仁(A. E. Burn),和古翟(W. A.
Curtis)認為此說,大概可靠。
O Jesus, I have promised, to serve Thee to the end; Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my Friend: I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side, Nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my Guide.
O let me feel Thee near me, the world is ever near; I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear: My foes are ever near me, around me and within; But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.
O let me hear Thee speaking, in accents clear and still, Above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self will! O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control; O speak and make me listen, Thou guardian of my soul!
O Jesus, Thou hast promised, to all who follow Thee, That where Thou art in glory, there shall Thy servant be; And, Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end; O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend.