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Hymns and Homilies

St Ephrem the Syrian, tr. Burgess, 1853

31. Hymn 31: A Prayer to the Trinity

O Lord, my God, defend me
Like the pupil of the eye;
Be Thou my protector, and under Thy wings
I shall be shielded from temptations.

Be a guard to mine eye,
That it look not stealthily;
Be a guard to the ear,
That it hear not wickedly.

Be a guard to the mouth,
And watch also the lips;
That my heart decline not to vile sayings,
Nor perform unrighteous deeds.

Lord, furnish us with knowledge,
And freely afford us understanding;
Grant, Lord, that we may be pleasing to Thee,
More than sweet ointments and perfumes.

Grant, Lord, that we may love Thee,
And hate all the world;
Grant, Lord, that we may gain Thyself,
Instead of fleeting possessions.

Grant, Lord, that we may offer to Thee
Three choice offerings;
Grant, Lord, that we may burn to Thee
Three precious kinds of incense.

Grant, Lord, that we may kindle for Thee
Three lamps of light;
The mind, the soul, with the body,
Three gifts to the Trinity.

We will give our mind to the Father,
And our soul we will give to the Son,
And our body to the Holy Ghost,
For He renewed it from the dust.

Oh Father, sanctify our mind to Thee;
Oh Son, sanctify our soul to Thee;
Oh Holy Spirit, sanctify
Our body, which is frail with infirmities.

Grant, Lord, that we may rejoice in Thee,
And do Thou be glad in us at the last day;
And from mind and body and soul,
Be glory to Thee—and Thy mercy be on us!