Hymn 4.

Chapter 1

1My God , without ceasing, I will tread the threshold of Your house; I who have rejected all grace , I will ask with boldness, that I may receive with confidence. R., Our hope, be our Wall!

2For if, O Lord, the earth, enriches manifold, a single grain of wheat, how then shall my prayers , be enriched by Your grace !

3Because of the voices of my children, their sighs and their groans, open to me the door of Your mercy! Make glad for their voices, the mourning of their sackcloth!

4O firstborn that wast a weaned child , and wast familiar with the children, the accurst sons of Nazareth , hearken to my lambs that have seen the wolves, for lo! They cry.

5For a flock, O my Lord, in the field, if so be it has seen the wolves, flees to the shepherd, and takes refuge under his staff, and he drives away them that would devour it.

6Your flock has seen the wolves, and lo! It cries loudly. Behold how terrified it is! Let your Cross be a staff, to drive out them that would swallow it up!

7Accept the cry of my little ones, that are altogether pure. It was He, the Infant of days, that could appease, O Lord, the Ancient of days.

8The day when the Babe came down, in the midst of the stall, the Watchers descended and proclaimed, peace — may that peace be, in all my streets for all my offspring.

9Seventy and two old men, the elders of that people, sufficed not for its breaches. The Babe it was, the Son of Mary , that gave peace on every side.

10Have mercy, O Lord, on my children! In my children call to mind Your childhood, You Who wast a child! Let them that are like Your childhood, be saved by Your grace !

11Mingled in the midst of the flock, are the cry of the innocents, and the voice of the sheep, that call on the Shepherd of all, to deliver them from all.

12 *

13There is a joy that is affliction, misery is hidden in it; there is a misery that is profit, it is a fountain of joys, in that new world.

14The happiness that my persecutor has gained, woes are hidden in it; therefore I rejoice . The wretchedness that I have gained from him, happiness is concealed for me in it.

15Who will not give praise, to Him that has begotten us, and can beget again, from the midst of evil rumours the voices of glad tidings!

16You Healer of all, have visited me in my sicknesses! Payment for Your medicines, I cannot give You, for they are priceless.

17Your mercies in richness, surpass Your medicines: they cannot be bought, they are given freely, it is for tears they are bartered.

18How, O my Master, can a desolate city, whose king is far off, and her enemy near, stand firm without aid of mercy?

19A harbour and refuge, are You at all times. When the seas covered me, Your mercy descended and drew me out. Again let Your help lay hold on me!

20Apply to my afflictions, the medicine of Your salvation , and the passion of Your help! Your sign can become, a medicine to heal all.

21I am greatly oppressed, and I hasten to complain, against him that troubles me. Let Your mercy, my Lord, take the bitterness from the cup, that my sins have mixed.

22I look on all sides, and weep that I am desolate. Very many though be my chiefs and my deliverers, one is He that has delivered me.

23My young men have fled, O Lord, and gone forth, and are like chickens, which an eagle pursues; lo! They hide in a secret place: may Your peace bring them back!

24The sound of my grape-gatherers, lo! My ears miss it, for their voices fail. Let it resound with the glad tidings, O Blessed One of Your salvation !

25A voice of terror, I have heard on my towers; as my defenders cry, while they guard my walls. Still it with the voice of peace!

26The noise of my husbandmen, shall speak peace without my walls: the shouting of my dwellers shall speak peace within my walls, that I may give peace without and within.

27Make an end, O Lord, of the mourning, of this Your pure altar, and of Your chaste priest , who stands clothed in mourning, covered over with sackcloth!

28The Church and her ministers shall give praise for Your salvation ; the city and its dwellers. Be the voice of peace, O Lord, the reward of their voices!