Greek HymnsGloria in ExcelsisAnonymous
¶[4th Century or earlier]
¶GLORY be to God on high, and in earth, peace, good will • towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
¶O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesu Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
¶For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Shepherd of Tender YouthST. CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA. Tr. H. M. DEXTER
¶[(?) ijo-220]
¶SHEPHERD of tender youthGuiding in love and truthThrough devious ways;Christ our triumphant king,We come Thy name to sing;Hither our children bringTributes of praise.54i[542]Thou art our holy Lord,The all-subduing Word,Healer of strife:Thou didst Thyself abase,That from sin's deep disgraceThou mightest save our race,And give us life.
¶Thou art the great High-Priest;Thou hast prepared the feastOf heavenly love;While in our mortal painNone calls on Thee in vain;Help Thou dost not disdain,Help from above.
¶Ever be Thou our guide,Our shepherd and our pride,Our staff and song:Jesus, Thou Christ of God,By Thy perennial wordLead us where Thou hast trod,Make our faith strong.
¶So now, and till we die,Sound we Thy praises high,And joyful sing.Let all the holy throngWho to Thy Church belong,Unite and swell the songTo Christ our King!
The Day Is Past and OverATTRIBUTED TO ST. ANATOLIUS. Tr. J. M. NEALB[458 A. D.]
¶THE day is past and over;All thanks, O Lord, to Thee;I pray Thee now that sinlessThe hours of dark may be:[543]O Jesu, keep me in Thy sight,And guard me through the coming night.
¶The joys of day are over;I lift my heart to Thee,And ask Thee that offencelessThe hours of dark may be:O Jesu, keep me in Thy sight,And guard me through the coming night.
¶The toils of day are over:I raise the hymn to TheeAnd ask that free from perilThe hours of dark may be:O Jesu, keep me in Thy sight,And guard me through the coming night.
¶Be Thou my soul's preserver,For Thou alone dost knowHow many are the perilsThrough which I have to go:O loving Jesu, hear my call,And guard and save me from them all.
The Day of ResurrectionJOHN OF DAMASCUS. Tr. JOHN MASON NEALE
¶[circa 780]
¶'Tis the day of resurrection,—Earth, tell it out abroad,—The passover of gladness,The passover of God.From death to life eternal,From this world to the sky,Our Christ hath brought us overWith hymns of victory.
¶Our hearts be pure from evil,That we may see arightThe Lord in rays eternalOf resurrection-light,[544]And, listening to his accents,May hear, so calm and plain,His own "All hail!" and, hearing,May raise the victor-strain.
¶Now let the heavens be joyful,Let earth her song begin,Let the round world keep triumphAnd all that is therein,Invisible and visible,Their notes let all things blend;For Christ the Lord hath risen,Our joy that hath no end.
Art Thou Weary?ST. STEPHEN THE SABAITE. Tr. J. M. NEALE
¶[725-794]
¶ART thou weary, art thou languid,Art thou sore distrest?"Come to Me," saith One, "and comingBe at rest!"
¶Hath He marks to lead me to Him,If He be my Guide ?"In His Feet and Hands are wound-prints,And His side."
¶Hath He diadem as MonarchThat His Brow adorns?"Yea a Crown, in very surety,But of thorns."If I find Him, if I follow,What His guerdon here?"Many a sorrow, many a labour,Many a tear."
¶If I still hold closely to Him,What hath He at last?"Sorrow vanquished, labour ended,Jordan past."[545]If I ask Him to receive me,Will He say me nay?"Not till earth, and not till Heav'nPass away."
¶Finding, following, keeping, struggling,Is He sure to bless?"Angels, Martyrs, Prophets, Virgins,Answer, Yes!"