Military psalm of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Army, 1580.
The words are by Andrzej Rymsza from his poem 'Dziesięćroczna powieść wojennych spraw... Krzysztofa Radziwiła...' (10-year Narrative Of Military Actions Of Prince Krysztof Radziwill) printed in Vilnia in 1585, describes the events of 1580. Andrzej Rymsza writes that the psalm 'Pieśń Monarsze Viecznemu' (Song to the Eternal Monarch) was sung by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania army at the military marching. Andrzej Rymsza as a knight and a participant of Livonian war (1558—1583) narrates that early in the morning Lithuanian knights organized in the military order, left their entrenched camp and started singing Praising of God, where the great hetman Krzysztof Radzivill was singing along with the knights. Andrzej Rymsza quoted the Psalm precisely; needless to say that the lyrics of the psalm co-inside with the lyrics provided by Francysk Scaryna or Jan Kochanowski. Andrzej Rymsza was among the knights, who were singing this psalm, that’s why his testimony is the most authoritative.
The music is from the printed sheet music 'Piesni Chwał Boskich' (Hymns for the Glory of God) by Jan Zaremba, 1558. The text and melody adaptation by Zmicier Sasnoŭski.
Andrzej Rymsza (about 1550–after 1595) – a famous Belarusian poet, who wrote his works in old Belarusian language and Polish language, was a founder of Belarusian literature of epicgram genre, he was also a professional military man, who took part in many battles and campaigns.
'Piesni Chwał Boskich' (Hymns for the Glory of God) or other name 'Brest Сantional') – first printed sheet music not only in Belarus but in the Eastern Europe. 'Brest Cantional' was compiled and released by Jan Zaremba at the Radzivills’ foundation in Brest in 1558 (re-released in Niasviž and Vilnia). Cantional along with various prayers, articles and instructions included one- and four-part psalms and canticles (about 100 songs, religious and secular), which became widespread in everyday life. The authors of the lyrics were famous poets of the 16th century: Andrzej Trzecieski, Szymon Zacius and Stanisław Semidelius Kazimirczyk. The music was composed by the composers Wacław z Szamotuł and Cyprian Bazylik. 38 songs that became a part of Addition to the 'Krakow Сontional' in 1559 stand for its authority and popularity.