Library › St Ephrem the Syrian › Hymns and Homilies

Hymns and Homilies

St Ephrem the Syrian, tr. Burgess, 1853

15. Hymn 15: Christ the Companion of the Disembodied Soul

As my provision for my journey I have taken Thee,
Oh Thou Son of God!
And when I am hungry I will eat of Thee,
Thou Saviour of the world!
The fire will keep far off from my members,
Perceiving in me the savour of Thy body and blood.
Baptism shall become to me
A ship which cannot sink;
And I shall see Thee there, oh Lord,
In the day of the resurrection.

I was living in my place of sojourn
(Thus speaks the soul),
But the Master of the house sent to me,
And I am not permitted to continue.
The messenger thus addressed me:—
“Depart from the house and vacate its chambers!”
Oh my body, my temporary home,
Remain here in peace!
And in the day of the resurrection
I shall see thee rejoicing.

The lictors came with speed,
But I was ignorant of it;
The messenger stood at the door,
But I did not perceive him;
Deliver me, Lord, from the judgment of the devil,
Who hateth Thy renowned children;
And with Thy holy ones may I attain
To the house of the kingdom;
That I may utter a song of praise,
And with them glorify Thee.

How bitter is this cup
Which death hath mingled!
And how terrible is the time,
And how grievous the hour,
Which calleth for Thee!
The soul saith to the body,
“Remain thou here in peace,
O much loved habitation,
In which I once dwelt
While the Lord was willing.”

How saddened is the sinner
In his heart at that hour,
When the king Messiah shall sit
Upon His dreadful judgment-seat;
And all tribes shall stand before Him,
And all secrets of the heart shall be revealed.
Terrible is the tribunal!
Terrible is the Judge, and that season!
Blessed is he whom Thy favour
Shall protect, oh Lord!