Paschal Hymn by St. Ephrem the Syrian (ca 306-373)

Today is Good Friday. The day our Lord suffered for our sins and for our salvation. Let us meditate on this beautiful hymn by St. Ephrem the Syrian.

I fall in adoration at Thy feet, Lord!
I thank Thee, God of goodness;
God of holiness, I invoke Thee,
on my knees, in Thy sight.
For me, an unworthy sinner,
Thou hath willed to undergo the death of the cross,
setting me free from the bonds of evil.
What shall I offer in return for Thy generosity?
Glory to Thee, friend of men!
Glory to Thee, most merciful!
Glory to Thee, most patient!
Glory to Thee who forgive sin!
Glory to Thee who have come to save us!
Glory to Thee who have been made man in the womb of a Virgin!
Glory to Thee who have been bound!
Glory to Thee who have been scourged!
Glory to Thee who have been derided!
Glory to Thee who have been nailed to the cross!
Glory to Thee, laid in a sepulchre, but risen again!
Glory to Thee who have preached the Gospel to men and have been believed!
Glory to Thee who have ascended to heaven!
Glory to Thee, seated at the right hand of the Father and who will return with Him, in majesty, among the angels, to judge those who have disregarded Thy  Passion!
The powers of heaven will be shaken;
all the angels and archangels, the cherubim and seraphim
will appear in fear and trembling before Thy glory;
the foundations of the earth will quake
and all that has life will cry out before Thy majesty.
In that hour let Thy hand draw me beneath Thy wings,
and save me from the terrible fire, from the gnashing of teeth,
from the outer darkness and from despair without end.
That I may sing to Thy glory:
Glory to Him who through His merciful goodness has designed to redeem this sinner.