Gloria in excelsis Deo
Question: Andrew asks, “What does ‘excelsis Deo’ mean in [the carol] ‘Angels We Have Heard on High’?”
Answer: The four words, “Gloria in excelsis Deo” form a Latin phrase meaning “Glory to God [Deo] in the highest,” quoting the angels’ words of praise from Luke 2:14.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
Luke 2:13-14
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”