Dicséretek

Dicséretek is a Hungarian term that denotes songs, poems, or other literary works that express praise and reverence. In religious usage, dicséretek are hymns or liturgical pieces addressed to God, saints, or holy figures, designed to honor and adore. They appear in various Christian traditions, especially within hymnals and liturgical books, as a distinct genre alongside prayers, psalms, and penitential songs. The word comes from dicsérni meaning to praise, with the plural suffix -tek used for the category.

In Hungarian usage, dicséretek can be found in both traditional and contemporary contexts. They may be part of public worship, such as morning or evening prayers, Mass settings, or devotional gatherings, and they may be sung or recited. They can take the form of short antiphons, longer hymn texts, or canticles, often characterized by exalted language, expressions of gratitude, and the praise of divine attributes.

Beyond strictly religious usage, the term can also refer to panegyric or laudatory literature that extols individuals, actions, or institutions. In that sense, dicséretek covers secular praise poetry or prose, though in everyday language the religious sense is more common.

In Hungarian religious culture, dicséretek are one among several genres of hymnody, alongside dicsőítő énekek (praise songs) and liturgical chants. Translated into other languages, they are generally rendered as hymns of praise or praise poetry.