Hymns of the Greek Church

tr. Brownlie, 1900

Chapter 42

A Morning Hymn

ὄρθριος δίδωμι τῷ θεῷ μου δεξιὰς

The morning breaks, I place my hand in Thine,
My God,’tis Thine to lead, to follow mine;
No word deceitful shall I speak the while,
Nor shall I stain my hand with action vile.

Thine be the day with worthy labour filled,
Strong would I stand to do the duty willed;
Nor swayed by restless passion let me be,
That I may give the offering pure to Thee;

Else were I ’shamed when hoary age I see,
Shamed were this board that bears Thy gifts to me:
Mine is the impulse; O my Christ, I pray,
Be Thou Thyself to me the Blessed Way!