A Spiritual Psalter
or Reflections on God

from the writings of
Saint Ephraim the Syrian

87
Be merciful to us and to those who have turned away

Thou Who art kindhearted to sinners, be merciful also to us in the day of judgment. Forgive us our debts according to Thy loving-kindness and in the day of Thy coming vouchsafe us Thy habitation.

When the multitudes to be judged tremble before the righteous judgment and stand before Thee stripped bare and in fear, then, O my Judge, have mercy on me for I have sung of Thy glory.

When the lips of the wise are stopped and Thy terrifying mighty scepter looms ominously before all, then may my lips be opened, for I have confessed Thee.

When neither friend nor acquaintance can save a man and every man is brought naked to account for himself, then, O Lord, be mine intercessor, for I have hoped in Thee.

When the sound of the trumpet blares out, the nations shudder and every man is to receive reckoning according to his labors, then, O Lord, be my helper, for to Thee do I run.

Accept our service, O Lord, hope of those above and hope of those below, and have mercy on us. Be merciful to us, O Lord, be merciful to our parents; be merciful to our teachers, be merciful to our brethren.

Be merciful to us, O Lord, and give rest to our relatives who have reposed and to all who have died and did confess Thee, believe in Thee and taste Thy flesh and drink Thy life-creating blood.

Vouchsafe us together with Thy sheep to enter into Thy pasture, and together with Thy saints to offer Thee praise in accordance with Thy greatness unto the ages of ages.

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From A Spiritual Psalter or Reflections on God, compiled from the works of Saint Ephraim the Syrian.

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