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Hymns on Faith

St Ephrem the Syrian, tr. Morris, 1847; selections

76. Rhythm the Seventy-sixth

By the names of trees, lo, their fruits¹ also are named, whether they be sweet or bitter! The names of the trees then and their fruits are the same; they are distinct, yet equal. A great type! Distinct is the fruit from its tree, and yet the same with it, since one appellation² is given to them both. If the root be sweet, then the fruit is sweet; the same name men call them both, it and its fruit. Distinguish the names of the stem and the fruit, and yet make them the same also, and call the fruit by the name of its tree. For if it be sweet, they call the fruit also sweet³, and the root however stringent. Distinguish the Names of the Father and the Son, and also make them equal, since the Father is God and the Son is God. For God is the Name of the Father and God also is the Name of the Son, as it is written. For He is distinct in Name, in that He is the Son; and equal in the Name, in that He is God also⁴. Glory to His Name!

And if [the names of] trees as well as of their fruits be true, how much more true are [those of] the Father and the Son. He shadowed forth things hidden⁵ upon things which are visible, that He might shew the things which are not seen⁶ by the things which are seen: He imprinted His mysteries upon trees, that He might explain the things which are not comprehended by the things which are comprehended⁷. For He also interpreted difficult things to us by the things which are easy, that we might easily gain a knowledge of Him, and things difficult by things which are clear, He made clear unto us, that we might know clearly that He is the Son. That He is our Lord then, yea, and our God, the just⁸ feel: but the gainsayers⁹ feel not that He is His Father. The Scriptures cry aloud, that the Father is God and the Son is God. Without God is the [Jewish] people who gainsay Him.

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