The Te Deum is a celebratory Christian text; legend says that St. Ambrose and St. Augustine spontaneously wrote it at the latter's baptism in 387 A.D. Its opening line translates to "we praise Thee," and this sentiment pervades all 29 verses that make up the text. Liturgically, the Te Deum was sung at consecrations, ordinations and other days of thanksgiving; outside of the church, it was also used to celebrate international treaties, coronations and other "uplifting" events. However, as our culture continues to emphasize our differences over our similarities, it is becoming ever harder to reconcile our own selves with others and to find common ground and common meaning. It seems that in the twenty-first century we have little reason to sing or set a Te Deum text. This setting of the Te Deum, written in the fall of 2015 and spring of 2016, is not like its celebratory predecessors by Handel, Bruckner, Britten, and others. This setting is intended to question the statements of the text in a search for relevance and spiritual meaning.