"The blessedness of forgiveness" (Saint Ephraim the Syrian)
The blessedness of forgiveness
lessed is he whom Thou givest understanding according to Thy love, O Lord, for Thou dost not turn away from those whom Thou lovest. Turn not away from me, either, O Lord, that the evil one might not destroy me.
According to Thy goodness have compassion on me who am infirm, and vouchsafe me forgiveness of my many sins; that, with all who have been pleasing to Thee, I might also glorify Thy goodness.
Have compassion, O Lord, according to Thy goodness; and have mercy on all of us who have been rejected by Thy truth because we failed to observe Thy word; though, if we had observed it, we would have received salvation.
I too have been spurned with all such men, even more so than they. Yet make me worthy according to Thy grace to receive forgiveness of sins and, on the strength of this forgiveness, hope for salvation.
With love have I daily contemplated Thy word. Make me worthy to exclaim together with the righteous ones this song of benediction: Praise to Him Who had mercy on me! Glory to Him Who has forgiven me!
The heights bless Thee, the depths magnify Thee; all things venerate Thee, for all was created by Thee. Everything sings praises to Thee, O kindhearted Lord!
From A Spiritual Psalter or Reflections on God, compiled from the works of Saint Ephraim the Syrian