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Hymns and Homilies

St Ephrem the Syrian, tr. Burgess, 1853

27. Hymn 27: Before Retiring to Rest

Grant, Lord, that if I keep my vigils,
I may stand in purity before Thee;
And if, oh my Saviour, I slumber,
Let my sleep be free from sin.
If in my watching I commit iniquity,
Oh Lord by Thy grace forgive me;
If I sin when sleeping,
Let Thy kindness be my expiation.

And through the cross of Thy humiliation,
Afford me refreshing slumber;
And deliver me from disturbing dreams,
And from profane imaginations;
And in sleep full of peace,
Let all the night conduct me;
Let not evil beings have dominion over me,
Nor thoughts full of iniquity.

And from hateful concupiscence deliver me
Through Thy living body which I have eaten;
And I will lie down and sleep in peace.
And let Thy blood be a protector to me:—
And to the soul which is Thy production
Grant the freedom of Thy likeness;
And let Thy right hand watch over
The body which Thy hands have formed.

Let the wall of Thy mercy encompass me
Like a buckler of defence;
And when my body is still, and slumbers,
Let Thy kindness be its guard.
Let not the Evil One approach my couch.
Thro’ the supplication of the mother who bare Thee;
And by Thy sacrifice on behalf of all men,
Put Satan to flight that he persecute me not.

And, Lord, perform Thy promise to me,
And protect my life by Thy cross;
And when I awake I will praise Thee,
Because Thou hast displayed Thy love to my lowliness.
From the sleepers, satisfied with rest,
And the watchers who have put on their arms,
Be glory to Thee, Thou guardian Spirit!
Who hast made me a watcher for Thy praise!